Local business owners in Dudley are voicing desperate fears that their town centre may never recover from the prolonged disruption caused by three simultaneous major transport projects, describing the impact as 'catastrophic'.
A Trio of Disruptive Projects
Works have been ongoing to construct a new transport interchange on the site of the old bus station, extend the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro line, and deliver significant road improvements at Burnt Tree Junction. While promised to bring long-term benefits, the immediate effect has been severe gridlock and a dramatic loss of footfall.
The interchange and Metro extension projects have both been hit by delays. Although completion is anticipated sometime this year, no confirmed dates have been given, and they are unlikely to be operational for passengers before the summer. The original Dudley bus station closed on January 14, 2024, marking the start of a steep decline for adjacent businesses.
'A Ghost Town': Traders Describe the Devastation
At a recent Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor David Stanley acknowledged the 'huge disruption' for businesses. Traders on Birdcage Walk, next to the closed station, feel particularly abandoned.
John Gardiner, proprietor of Dubliners bar, reported trade is down 60 to 70 per cent for most shops in the area. "To us, catastrophic is the only word I can use and nobody’s listening," he said. A local for almost 30 years, Gardiner supported the plans initially but now fears it will be "very hard to pick trade up without government support."
Alison Wade of Cards 4 You in the Churchill Shopping Centre questioned the phasing of the work. "Why was it ok for Merry Hill to have the work suspended over Christmas so people could get in to shop but yet Dudley suffered?" she asked. The drop in customer numbers was "immediate" once buses stopped serving the old station.
The impact is starkly visible at Dudley Market, which underwent a £150,000 refurbishment last year. On a recent Thursday, only four stalls were in use. Fruit and veg trader Graham Southall, a 20-year veteran of the market, said, "The impact has been terrible. Everybody has noticed a big drop off."
Long-Term Survival in Doubt
Florist Danyell Goodyear, who runs Elizabeth Lorine Flowers in the Fountain Arcade, said the changes to road layouts and parking charges have driven trade online and decimated walk-in custom. "There’s no one around. It’s dead and it’s just like a ghost town," she stated, highlighting how elderly regulars now struggle with the longer walks from temporary bus stops.
Her bleak outlook sums up a widespread anxiety: "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."
Authorities Promise Future Benefits
In response, a spokesperson for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) expressed understanding for the challenges faced and thanked businesses for their patience. They outlined support offered, including financial assistance payments for some eligible businesses, free marketing campaigns, and seasonal events to attract visitors.
The spokesperson defended the projects, stating they are "part of wider plans to make the town a great place to live, work and invest," and will bring economic benefits for years to come once finished. However, for many Dudley traders currently battling for survival, that promised future feels increasingly uncertain.
