The Wolverhampton City Centre Metro extension moves closer to operation as it was announced that the final works on Pipers Row will be completed next month.
The activity, which means Metro services to a new terminus outside the city’s revitalised railway station, will involve a short period of resurfacing activity during April. Final dates for the resurfacing works are currently being co-ordinated with partners and will involve laying new asphalt in segments of Pipers Row where drainage activities have recently been completed.
When works begin in Pipers Row, the street will be closed to vehicular traffic for approximately five days. Throughout the works in April, pedestrian movements will be maintained and buses will run on slightly amended routes out of the bus station.
Peter Cushing, Director of Midland Metro Alliance, said: “I’m delighted that this scheme will shortly be entering this vital testing phase ahead of opening to passengers later in the spring. With Metro added to an enhanced railway station and an excellent bus network, the city of Wolverhampton is getting the improved transport gateway it deserves. At this time we would like to thank those who have been impacted by our works for their patience and understanding.”
The Wolverhampton City Centre Metro extension has been constructed in phases, by the Midland Metro Alliance working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), as part of the Wolverhampton Interchange Project. Initially activities in Pipers Row wrapped up in 2019 and construction in Railway Drive got underway following the complete re-build of the city’s railway station in 2021.
Once the route is open to the public later this spring, services will call at two additional tram stops at Wolverhampton Station and on Pipers Row connecting Metro with heavy rail and bus services helping to make multi-modal journeys faster and more accessible.
Ahead of this final construction activity getting underway in April, the work will be communicated with those living and working in the area by the MMA’s dedicated stakeholder liaison team and partners from West Midlands Metro and TfWM.
Antony Lowbridge-Ellis, Head of Communications, said: “So many local people depend on the already excellent public transport offerings in the city for work, education or leisure activities and it’s really important for us that we let customers know about short changes to journeys as these works take place.”
For any further information about the work, including any traffic or pedestrian changes following construction completion, please visit: www.metroalliance.co.uk.
Image credit: WMM
