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Key Midland Metro tram stops to shut for six months during 'high disruption' work

Key stops on the Midland Metro line will be shut for six months while maintenance work is carried out – adding further delays to journeys.

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Roadworks classified as 'high disruption' by the city council are already taking place in nine areas across Wolverhampton, and now tram users will be forced to use a replacement bus service.

The move will see the Metro line operating between Wolverhampton and Birmingham along the Bilston Road closed from Wolverhampton St George's in the city centre to Priestfield – one-and-a-half miles away – from mid-June.

Priestfield tram stop and the park and ride will remain open for travellers heading towards Birmingham, Midland Metro bosses confirmed, however the stop will be closed for people travelling to Wolverhampton.

St George's and The Royal, which is between the city centre and Priestfield, will be completely shut.

Track will be replaced and the road resurfaced, and it is anticipated that the tram line will be re-opened for passengers by Christmas.

A replacement bus service will operate from the already congested city centre while tickets will also be accepted on National Express West Midlands buses for the duration of the work.

Malcolm Gwinnett, UKIP councillor for Spring Vale, branded the work a 'farce', saying: "It just gets worse. Why can't they do it overnight?

"We're going to see more and more vehicles already going into an already slow moving city centre, which in some parts is a nightmare.

"The lifeline for Wolverhampton is the people. Without people coming in we won't survive. There's not enough thought into these plans, the consultations meetings are a farce."

The work is being described as 'essential track maintenance' by Midland Metro bosses.

Phil Hewitt, Metro Programme Director for Transport for West Midlands, said: "The Midland Metro is an essential part of our transport system across the region and since its extension to Birmingham city centre, significantly more people are choosing to use it to travel in a sustainable way.

"Undertaking these works is vital to ensure the continued success of the Midland Metro network, which will be complemented by a number of other extensions across the region, ultimately making travelling by public transport significantly easier in years to come."

The work will be carried out by the Midland Metro Alliance.

Alliance director Alejandro Moreno said: "Although we appreciate that there will be some disruption to those living, working and travelling to and from Wolverhampton for the duration of the works, we are working closely with local businesses along Bilston Road to ensure we can accommodate their needs where possible.

"In order to complete the works as quickly as possible, some night work will be necessary.

"As well as replacing the tram track, we will also be resurfacing the road, which should ensure a much improved environment for both tram and road users once the work is complete."

Work is already under way on a new £15 million Metro line along Pipers Row and Railway Drive, linking the Wolverhampton St George's stop with the city's railway station.

Tram stops are planned for either side of Pipers Row, near Castle Street, and Centro bosses say the line could eventually be extended further towards New Cross Hospital.

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