'Unpleasant' Wolverhampton subway to be closed permanently

The Craddock Street subway, close to the Avion Shopping Centre in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, is set to be shut off due to it being what local residents describe as “an unpleasant and intimidating place”.

Council bosses recently conducted a public survey to find out how often the subway was used and found that more people were choosing to use the nearby traffic signal crossing instead.

A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council said: “Following substantial research, it seems apparent that people find the subway unappealing and choose to avoid it.

“There has been a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to it and all this has been taken into account.

“We have listened to residents and businesses in the area and are in the process of drafting plans to close the subway permanently by infilling it and landscaping the surrounding area.”

The subway had also been the source of ongoing problems of flooding, vandalism and graffiti, added the spokesman.

A resident who lives in nearby Craddock Street, who did not wish to be named, said: “I would never choose to walk down there and have avoided doing so for a number of years – and particularly late at night.

“It’s not the most welcoming of places and to be honest I don’t think we even need it.”

In a bid to boost community spirit in the area, an activities day has been organised in and around the Avion Centre tomorrow, January 26, from 10am.

Events will also be taking place at Whitmore Reans Library and St Andrew’s Church Hall. A number of local businesses will also be in attendance.

Any residents wishing to comment on the proposals are invited to give their views to the council by emailing customer.services@wolverhampton.gov.uk or telephoning 01902 551155.

There is also an online survey that residents can take at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/craddockstreetsubway

People have until March 1 to submit their views.

By Joe Sweeney