Birmingham Connected bulletin - 7 November 2018

Transport and travel news and information including Christmas travel tips, 20mph limits, Road Safety Week, winter cycling and more

Included in this update:

Christmas in Birmingham

Birmingham is once again gearing up for a wonderful festive season, with the Frankfurt Christmas Market attracting visitors into the city from next Thursday (15 November until 23 December). The popular ice rink and Birmingham Wheel will once again be located at Millenium Point, a short walk from both New Street and Moor Street stations.

With major transport projects and developments continuing at a number of city centre locations, it is important to plan your journey. For many people public transport is the preferred way to travel and for good reason. Birmingham has excellent bus, train and Metro connections and there are plenty of ways to save money on travel too.

Travel advice

  • Plan ahead
  • Leave the car at home and travel by bus, train, Metro, bike or on foot
  • If you’re out for the evening, remember to check times for the last service home
  • Lift share with friends or colleagues
  • Beat the traffic by travelling at quieter times
  • Leave extra time for your journey

Save money

Launch of new 20mph limits

Birmingham’s fourth and final 20mph pilot area launches next week, with 20mph limits becoming enforceable in Bournbrook and Selly Park and parts of Edgbaston, Harborne, Selly Oak, Bournville, Cotteridge and Stirchley. To make people aware of the new speed limits we are carrying out an education and enforcement operation with West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service. This includes activities with local schools, businesses and communities. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to find out more.

Reducing speed limits is one of the things we are doing to improve road safety in Birmingham. Slower moving traffic makes streets safer and more pleasant places to live, walk and cycle. Children are safer on their journey to school and everyone can feel more confident to get out and about in their local area. If you would like to do more to support the Slower Is Safer campaign, you can download FREE 20mph toolkits.

Road Safety Week (19 to 25 November)

There’s still time to do your bit to support Road Safety Week 2018 (19-25 November). It's a great opportunity to show your commitment to road safety by sharing potentially life-saving messages with employees, customers and the community. The theme this year is ‘Bike Smart’, focusing on the safety of those on two wheels.

Winter cycling

One of the beauties of cycling is that, with a little preparation, it can be enjoyed all year round. Bright lights and high visibility clothing are essential for foggy, misty and dark conditions. Find more tips for winter cycling on our web pages. On shared paths remember to slow down, use your bell when necessary and dismount in pedestrian only areas.

It is particularly important in wet, icy or windy conditions that drivers give cyclists plenty of space when over-taking (a minimum of 1.5 metres). West Midlands Police continue to carry out their pioneering Operation Close Pass across the region and will proactively target drivers who endanger cyclists.

HS2 Curzon Street Station

From week commencing 19 November work begins to break up the concrete behind the old Curzon Street Station in order to prepare for the new HS2 station. The work will take place Mon-Fri (8am-6pm) and is expected to take up to six weeks to complete. Sound barriers will be used to reduce noise and spray water to reduce dust. These works take place on largely unused land and should not cause disruption to traffic.

Find out more about the new HS2 Curzon Street Station and share your views on the designs by this Friday (9 November).

Birmingham Energy Prospectus

Birmingham City Council has set an ambitious target of a 60% reduction in total CO₂ emissions by 2027, against 1990 levels. The next step is to create an ‘Energy Prospectus’ to help identify planned or potential low carbon energy and transport projects across the city. We are looking for contributions from developers, industry and institutions, utilities companies and transport companies. Further information and an online survey can be found on the website. The survey closes on 12 November 2018.

Council budget consultation 2019+

We encourage all city residents to have their say on Birmingham City Council’s budget proposals. The formal budget consultation for 2019+ opens next Tuesday (13 November) and closes on 31 December 2018. All details and ways to have your say can be found at www.birmingham.gov.uk/brumbudget19 from 13 November (please note this link is not yet live). You can also join the conversation online: #BrumBudget19.

Dates to note

11 November - Remembrance Sunday Commemoration - Colmore Row / Cathedral Green

15 November to 23 December – Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market

19 to 25 November – Road Safety Week

Article posted on 8 November 2018

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