Birmingham Connected bulletin

Birmingham Connected bulletin - 6 February 2019

Including information about travel for Birmingham's Lunar New Year festivities, road works, Clean Air Strategy consultation, Birmingham Bus Survey and more.

Included in this update:

Lunar New Year travel
Road works
Clean Air Strategy consultation
Business Breathes website
Birmingham Bus Survey
Camp Hill Line new stations – your feedback
Brums on bikes!
Events for the diary

Lunar New Year travel

Lunar New Year in Birmingham includes festivities across the city centre from Friday 8 February until Sunday 10 February. Lots of visitors are expected, especially on Saturday 9 February, so roads are likely to be very busy. Try to avoid driving into the city centre if at all possible. All festivities are easily accessible by train, bus or tram and there are some great group travel offers available. If you do have to drive, think carefully about which car park you use – the closest facilities are also likely to be the busiest. For more travel advice visit our Lunar New Year travel web page.

Road works:

HS2 utility works

The HS2 team is preparing utility works (gas, water and electricity) in central Birmingham and will be carrying out related investigations over the coming months. As part of this, Park Street is expected to be closed to traffic from Saturday 16 February to Thursday 21 February. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. A signed diversion route will be in place with buses X1, X2 and 60 affected. Further information about these works is attached or visit the HS2 in Birmingham web pages.

Bristol Street road works

Bristol Street currently has one lane closed on the southbound carriageway (south of Wrentham Street). This is to allow urgent road works to take place. One lane is likely to be closed until the end of this week.

Sherlock Street gas works

Signed diversions and restrictions are in place on Sherlock Street (between Gooch St & Hurst St) to enable essential gas works to take place. Works began on Monday and are expected to last approximately 3 months. Please expect the following temporary changes for traffic (including buses 35, 45 and 47) in the area:

Sherlock Street one way traffic into city from Gooch Street to Hurst street (out of city) traffic diverted via Sherlock Street, Bishop Street, Gooch Street
Both McDonald Street and Wrentham Street immediately at the junction with Sherlock Street will be closed to traffic

The section of Wrentham Street between Kent Street and Bristol Street to be one way towards Bristol Street.

Hagley Road West overnight works

A short section of Hagley Road West (between Stanley Road/Clive Road and the roundabout near the Toby Carvery) will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians each night (11pm to 5am) from Monday 11 February to Friday 15 February. This is to enable essential repairs to a telecoms pole. Signed diversion routes will be in place.

Selly Oak New Road works

Selly Oak New Road (SONR) phase 1B scheme will improve the Selly Oak Triangle including changes to the flow of traffic, widening of the footpath along the north side of Bristol Road, better bus facilities and segregated cycle routes. Work is expected to commence in March and will require lane restrictions and temporary traffic lights in the area. Find out more about this scheme.

Clean Air Strategy consultation

Birmingham is on a journey to cleaner air and has recently launched a Clean Air Strategy setting out how the city intends to go beyond its legal duties and tackle air pollution across the city. This strategy outlines a series of pledges for delivering cleaner air and a healthier future. Working with local communities and partners is vital and we are encouraging everyone to share views by taking part in the Clean Air Strategy consultation.

Business Breathes website

We are urging all businesses to support Birmingham’s journey to cleaner air and help make our city a healthy and safe place to live and work. Business Breathes website provides information and guidance for businesses, particularly fleet managers and self-employed drivers, who may be affected by the introduction of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone.

Birmingham Bus Survey

Buses are an important part of our transport network. They can help to reduce congestion and improve air quality. We want to find out what could be done to encourage more people to make more journeys by bus. Whether you currently use buses or not, please take a few minutes to complete the online Birmingham Bus Survey before 1 March 2019.

Transport for West Midlands is seeking your views in a separate consultation on tackling low level anti-social behaviour on buses.

Camp Hill Line new stations – your feedback

At the end of last year, members of the public shared their views on the design options for proposed new railway stations on the Camp Hill line. 90% of responses rated the station designs as 'good or 'very good'. Views were also positive on the important role of the stations in reducing congestion, improving air quality and stimulating local economies. The feedback received will support planning applications for the new stations at Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell to be submitted in the next few months - thank you for your involvement.

Brums on bikes!

Breaking the driving habit may not be easy, but more and more people are seeing the huge benefits of making journeys by bike; you’ll save money, avoid traffic delays, feel healthier and help make the air cleaner too!

For off-road routes, check out Birmingham’s 25km of new or upgraded Green Routes or plan a scenic ride along our amazing canal network . Did you know 100% of Birmingham’s towpaths now have an all-weather cycling surface? With spring around the corner and the new A34 and A38 major cycle routes set to open in the coming months, it’s a great time to dust off your bike and give cycling a go!

Vélo Birmingham and Midlands

If you’re after a bit of a cycling challenge, Vélo Birmingham and Midlands has launched a brand new 42 mile route as part of their cycling event on Sunday 12 May.

West Midlands bike share scheme

The new bike share scheme for the West Midlands has launched with 25 bikes now available in Wolverhampton. This is ahead of a full launch later this year of 5000 bikes across the region, including in Birmingham. The scheme will be managed by global bike share leader, nextbike. In the meantime don’t forget that loan bikes are available FREE of charge from several Wellbeing Centres across Birmingham and Brompton Bike Hire is also on offer in the city.