Birmingham Connected bulletin

Birmingham Connected bulletin - 30 July 2019

Transport and travel news, including information about clean air, roadworks and diversions, cycling and public transport news

Brum Breathes

Help make the air we breathe cleaner - find out all about steps we can take to reduce our own emissions and avoid exposure to air pollution.

You can also find out more about Birmingham's journey to cleaner air and the Clean Air Zone at a Community Information Road Show in the Bullring shopping centre (Lower Mid Mall near Costa Coffee) on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 August (10am to 8pm) and Saturday 31 August (9am to 8pm).

International Car Free Day

A section of the A38 Aston Expressway is to be converted into a paved park for International Car Free Day on 22 September. The event will highlight the issue of poor air quality, the need to reduce reliance on cars and encourage people to be more active.

Car Free School Streets

A new scheme that closes roads around schools to motorised traffic at the start and end of the school day is being piloted at six Birmingham schools from this September. Car Free School Streets will help to make the roads safer around schools, reduce air pollution and encourage more people to walk, scoot or cycle.

International Walk to School Month also takes place in October; further incentive to leave the car at home and walk instead.

Roadworks and restrictions

Paradise pedestrian diversion

Loading... Pedestrian access between Victoria Square and Centenary Square now involves a diversion via Eden Place and Edmund Street (around the back of the Council House), which will be in place until 28 October. If you’re visiting the wonderful Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery over the summer holidays, the main entrance is open as usual, just follow the diversion.

Broad Street

In order to progress the extension of the Metro towards Edgbaston, Broad Street will close to traffic in September. This will mean changes to bus services and the temporary relocation of some bus stops: full details will be available in the next Birmingham Connected email. Five Ways underpass also remains closed to all traffic.

We are looking to support the Broad Street closure with camera enforcement of the bus gate on Sheepcote Street.

Selly Oak New Road

Over the summer holiday period, lane closures on Chapel Lane, Harborne Lane and Bristol Road will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This will allow works to progress more rapidly while the roads are quieter. The footpath around the triangle site (former Sainsbury's) will remain closed with the section along the Bristol Road also closed to pedestrians over the summer. Find out more about Selly Oak New Road Highway Improvement Scheme.

Summer of cycling

Cyclists on a ride Cycling into and around Birmingham continues to become easier and safer – if you haven’t yet tried out the new blue cycle routes, how about getting together with friends and family to give them a go this summer? Birmingham’s network of canals and Green Routes are also wonderful places to explore by bike.

Bikeability is the cycle training programme offered in schools and as part of their ‘Our Bikes Our Adventure’ summer campaign, they provide a wealth of advice about cycling with children.

There are also lots of cycling activities happening during the summer holidays. Find more on the British Cycling and The Active Wellbeing Society websites.

Cycle to Work Day takes place on Thursday 8 August. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t cycled for a while as it's all about giving it a go. Find out how you could win great prizes for cycling or save money on a new bike through the Cycle Scheme.

Public transport updates

The refurbishment of Longbridge station, on the cross city line, was completed last month. Passengers will benefit from a new larger concourse, ticket office and accessible toilet, while the outside of the station has been transformed with a new entrance, glazed roof and cladding.

Transport for West Midlands have announced a change to the delivery of the new Sprint public transport routes on the A34 and A45. These will now be built in phases, but the sections within Birmingham will still be completed by the end of 2021.

If you're looking for days out over the summer holidays, remember that travel card holders can add friends and family for a small amount when travelling by bus or train. You can also save money on admission to lots of local attractions when you arrive by train or bus.

And if you're planning a trip by train over the August Bank Holiday, Network Rail are advising passengers to check before they travel. None of the planned engineering works are expected to affect services into Birmingham.