Transport works ‘catastrophic’ for traders in Dudley

Struggling Dudley traders fear shoppers won’t return to the town when ‘catastrophic’ works on three major transport projects are finally completed.

Works are ongoing to build a new interchange on the old bus station site, an extension of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro and a major road improvements scheme on Burnt Tree Junction.

But the interchange and Metro projects have been hit with delays and while both are expected to be completed this year, no confirmed dates have been given and they are unlikely to be available to passengers before the summer.

At a Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor David Stanley said the road works had caused huge disruption for businesses.

Transport for West Midlands said, once completed, the transport projects will bring a raft of benefits to Dudley Town Centre, adding they have supported traders including financially for some eligible businesses.

Dudley bus station closed on January 14, 2024 and traders on the adjacent Birdcage Walk say they have felt a huge loss of trade since.

John Gardiner, of Dubliners bar, said he had not received any financial help as a result of the works. He said: “We’ve remained loyal and positive but all the shops here are, I’d say, 60 or 70% down in trade.

“To us, catastrophic is the only word I can use and nobody’s listening. It is a ludicrous situation.

“Dudley is gridlocked. This is a small town which has been deprived of a localised transport hub and nothing seems to be happening. “What they’ve done is torn a town up and they expect people to come back after massive delays.

"They are not coming back, they are settled where they have gone to.

“I was born in Dudley, have run a business in Dudley for almost 30 years. This is supposed to save Dudley and I was fervently behind it. But it’s going to be very hard to pick trade up without government support.

“We came out of Covid and into this. There is very little breathing room left for survival with this.”

Alison Wade, of Cards 4 You in the Churchill Shopping Centre, said it isn’t just the transport project works affecting the town centre but added they have had a huge impact.

"She said: “We’ve been left behind. They started the work going towards Merry Hill but why couldn’t they finish the work here before moving over, so why was it okay for Merry Hill to have the work suspended over Christmas so people could get in to shop but yet Dudley suffered?

“The drop off in footfall was immediate as soon as the buses stopped (dropping off at the station). “Our landlords are doing their best and Transport for West Midlands do hold fun occasions in the centre out of their funding which is nice for the children.

“It’s more Birdcage Walk which is suffering. It’s not fair on their traders. I think they should get on with the job now. People are going to start shopping elsewhere. ”

Dudley Market underwent a £150,000 refurbishment last year but on Thursday, only four stalls were in use.

Fruit and veg trader Graham Southall, who has had a stall in Dudley for 20 years, said: “The impact has been terrible. “Everybody has noticed a big drop off in trade. You only have to look at how many stalls there are on the market. The traders feel it’s not worth coming and have gone elsewhere.

“The old people used to have three or four bags with the bus station around the corner but they can’t carry them all the way now.

“When the bus station opens back up, hopefully things will get better. But if it doesn’t open soon there will be a lot more shops closing.”

Danyell Goodyear, who runs Elizabeth Lorine Flowers in the Fountain Arcade, said a lot of her custom has moved online. She said: “We’ve seen a huge drop off, especially since the changes to the road system and the parking charges.

"No one wants to just drop in and make an order with us and pay a charge. What we’ve noticed is our orders have gone online and have us deliver so no one is coming in and picking up extra bits.

“There’s no one around. It’s dead and it’s just like a ghost town. They’ve made the bus stops too far for some people so our old ladies, the regulars who used to come in every week and buy a bunch are now only coming perhaps once a month.

"They’re saying it’s too far to walk while carrying bags. When it’s finally completed there’s going to be no one left to come up. I’m doubtful things will get better as I think it’s too late.”

A TfWM spokesperson said: “We fully understand the challenges that some businesses are facing during our work, and we sincerely thank them for their patience as we near the end of construction.

“We have taken action to minimise disruption and support local traders where possible, including financial assistance payments for some businesses, free marketing campaigns and seasonal events to attract customers.

“These projects, delivered in collaboration with partners including Dudley Council, are part of wider plans to make the town a great place to live, work and invest, bringing economic benefits for residents and business owners for years to come.”