Birmingham Connected bulletin - 11 December 2019

Update on Metro extension, train services, Christmas travel and future transport plans

Metro outside Town HallPublic transport improvements and changes

Birmingham city centre Metro extension now open

From today West Midlands Metro trams are picking up and dropping off passengers from two new stops at Town Hall and Library. A six-minute peak time service will deliver people to the Town Hall, ICC, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Rep, Library of Birmingham and other destinations in the area including, until 12 January, the ice rink and big wheel.

New operator for the West Coast Mainline

Avanti West Coast has taken over from Virgin Trains as the operator running the West Coast Main Line. Avanti have several improvements planned, including new and refurbished trains, extra services, simpler ticketing, more accessible travel and changes to make the railway cleaner and greener.

Revised timetable on West Midlands Railway

West Midlands Railway will be introducing a new timetable from this Sunday 15 December, aimed at improving the reliability of services across the region.

Christmas travel

Heart sign at Frankfurt MarketWe are expecting high numbers of visitors to the city centre between now and Christmas, especially at the weekends. If you’re planning a festive trip or even thinking ahead to the Christmas sales, we continue to advise that you plan ahead and use public transport, walk or cycle. Planned industrial action on West Midlands Railways has been suspended, so rail services should be operating as normal.

Public transport over the Christmas period

Over the Christmas period, public transport will run to amended timetables and you are advised to check before you travel. Please note there will be no bus, train or tram services on Christmas Day (25 December) and no train services on Boxing Day (26 December). West Midlands Network have published an overview of festive services, while detailed information can be found on National Rail and operators’ websites, including National Express West Midlands.

Don't drink drive campaign

National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) annual festive drink and drug drive campaign launches today. West Midlands Police are highlighting that if motorists are caught driving over the limit, they will face a minimum 12 month driving ban and a large fine. This will impact on their social and working lives and when they attend court their names will be publicised. #NPCCdontdrinkdrive

General Election 2019

Birmingham ElectionsA reminder to everyone to get out and vote in the General Election this Thursday 12 December. If you want to know who your candidates are or where your polling station is, visit whocanivotefor.co.uk. Remember, your polling station should be within walking distance of your home, so most people won’t need to use a car to get there.

Closure of Paradise car park on Thursday 12 December

Paradise Circus multi storey car park will be closed to the public all day on Thursday 12 December to allow for use by staff working overnight on the General Election count. If you do have to drive into the city centre on Thursday, please use alternative parking.

Perry Barr travel survey

Road in Perry BarrPerry Barr will see unprecedented changes over the coming years, thanks to more than £500 million of investment into the area. This regeneration will deliver new homes, public transport improvements, walking and cycling routes, new community facilities and high quality public spaces.

There is just under a week left to respond to our travel survey, which closes on Monday 16 December. This survey is for anyone who travels to, from or through the Perry Barr area. We will use information about your travel to plan how to keep people moving during work to regenerate Perry Barr.

Future transport plans – save the date

Regular readers may have noticed that previously announced consultations on the Birmingham Transport Plan and Parking SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) have not yet launched. Pre-election rules meant these had to be delayed until after the General Election, and we decided to wait until after the Christmas holidays.

A launch of the draft Birmingham Transport Plan will now take place on the morning of Monday 13 January 2020. Invitations will follow, but please save the date in your diary. Subject to Cabinet approval, the formal consultation will then begin on Tuesday 28 January and run until Friday 27 March.

The Parking SPD is one of many strategic documents that will support delivery of the Birmingham Transport Plan. Public consultation on this will start in early January.

Birmingham Budget consultation

Consultation on the Council’s 2020/21 budget runs until 31 December 2019. A public drop-in session will take place in the Banqueting Suite of the Council House between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday 18 December.

Have your say

#BrumBudget20 – consultation ends Tuesday 31 December 2019

Parking Supplementary Planning Document – consultation from early January

Birmingham Transport Plan – consultation from 28 January

Dates for the diary

23 December – Frankfurt Christmas market closes

12 January – Ice Rink and Big Wheel close

13 January – Birmingham Transport Plan launch event

29 January 2020 – Clean Air Cops teacher training session (email us to book a place)

11 February 2020 - Roadstars teacher training session (email us to book a place)

Article posted on 11 December 2019.

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