Queen Square dream hits block
Dreams of re-routing buses around Wolverhampton's Queen Square to create a cafe culture have hit a stumbling block after the city's planning chief warned it could harm trade.
Dreams of re-routing buses around Wolverhampton's Queen Square to create a cafe culture have hit a stumbling block after the city's planning chief warned it could harm trade.
Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett insists bus stops needed to be near the heart of the city, so visitors could easily access shops.
His comments come after Tory council leader Neville Patten last week revealed he was seeking to start urgent talks with transport authority Centro, about redirecting buses away from the main square to create a pedestrianised area.
Councillor Gwinnett, a Liberal Democrat, said: "If we go with this cafe culture idea, then from a planning point of view we might have to give some buildings permission to change their use, which is fine.
"We may get a bank which wants to become a cafe, for example. It is highways that will need to sit down and see if re-routing the buses is feasible.
"We have, however, got to be very careful, particularly at a time like this that it doesn't kill trade. The traders in the city have to be our biggest priority.
"There needs to be buses close to the city centre, and drop-off points that are close, so the shoppers can access it easily.
"So although I welcome the idea, this will not be an easy job to do. We need the buses to be there, even though there are some dreadful looking old ones."
Councillor Patten is determined to see buses diverted from cutting through the Queen Square, despite former council leaders in the past saying it is "impossible" to achieve.
The idea was given impetus after taking inspiration from Bristol City Council, which re-routed a dual carriageway cutting through its own Queen Square.
That particular square, which used to be full of traffic, is now a tranquil open space used for hosting concerts and events.
Talks on transforming Wolverhampton city centre need approval from Centro, before highway bosses can run it past the city council's Tory cabinet for approval.
It could also end up requiring approval of the full council, where the Tories will need support from the Liberal Democrats should Labour vote against the diversion proposal.