As planned, the road has now reopened to all traffic ahead of the busy Christmas period – supporting businesses and a host of festive activities such as Christmas Markets on Dudley Street and Victoria Street, a 3D projection show on St Peter’s Church and Enjoy Wolverhampton BID’s Santa’s Ice Palace in the Mander Shopping Centre.

Final resurfacing at the junction with Waterloo Road and School Street is taking place during overnight road closures this week and is expected to be finished by the weekend. The affected roads are open during the day to minimise disruption to businesses.

The next part of the improvements programme will begin fully on upper Darlington Street early next year, when works will also start in sections of Queen Square and Lichfield Street.

The overall scheme across all three locations remains on track to be completed in 2027 and will deliver high-quality improvements such as wider, brighter, safer streets; vibrant public events spaces; more trees, greenery and seating; and easy access for buses, cycles and taxis.

The aim is to stimulate more visitors and spend with businesses and act as a catalyst for further investment, while contributing to creating a pleasant environment to support and encourage healthy city living lifestyles.

Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “The completed works on lower Darlington Street have been done to the highest standards and really lift the look and appeal of the area, supporting businesses, creating a much-improved shopping environment for visitors and boosting active travel.

“After overcoming the delay caused by Severn Trent Water in dealing with a water main in very poor condition, we have ensured the road is open in time for the busy Christmas period – and all the wonderful events and activities that brings to our city centre to boost our local economy.

“The overall city centre improvement scheme will complement other transformational development schemes already underway or in the pipeline in the city centre, including the £150 million Interchange and commercial district, and thousands of new homes coming at Smithgate and Canalside – all helping to create hundreds of new jobs and further investment opportunities.”

Funding for the scheme consists of £13.5million from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) fund, £3million from the Towns Fund and £2.6million from the Active Travel Fund.