Emergency repairs by utility companies mean the first stage of city centre improvement works on Darlington Street are now expected to run beyond July until October.
The works form part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s £19million programme to transform the city centre experience for visitors to Darlington Street, Lichfield Street and Queen Square.
All externally funded, the investment will help boost the local economy by delivering better public spaces, improved lighting and safety, more trees, greenery and seating and easier access for buses, cycles and taxis. It follows extensive consultation with businesses, the public and key stakeholders.
Contractor Taylor Woodrow started the first stage of the transformation works on Darlington Street on January 20 and have been making good progress.
Unfortunately, recent excavation works have uncovered a water main in very poor condition that needs to be dealt with by Severn Trent Water, who are not expected to start on site until the end of June, halting the improvement works on the southside carriageway.
In addition, two BT chambers have been discovered that require emergency works. Cellars, belonging to buildings that once stood adjacent to the Fold Street car park, have also been exposed that require backfilling correctly to avoid future subsidence.
Despite readjusting the works schedule to pick up works in other parts of the site, the combined effect of these factors – all out of the council’s and Taylor Woodrow’s control – mean the Darlington Street works and associated road closure between Chapel Ash Island and Red Lion Street will be in place longer than anticipated. Pedestrian access to businesses will continue to be maintained during business hours.
The overall city centre improvements two-and-a-half-year programme is still on course to be completed by summer 2027.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “We appreciate this is frustrating and we will continue to do everything in our power to minimise disruption caused by these unforeseen issues with utility providers.
“These works will ultimately enable people to better enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive and are the next step in our transformation plans that have already seen improvements in North Street and Victoria Street deliver positive outcomes for businesses, residents and visitors.
“In the meantime, I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while these critical works are carried out.”
