Included in this update:

• Severe weather
• Sustainable Travel in the workplace
• Cycle routes update
• New cycle parking
• Central South West Birmingham 20mph speed limits
• Rail improvement works
• Road improvement consultations
• Road improvement works
• THINK! mobile phone campaign
• Save the date and start planning!

Severe weather

The wintry weather conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend, with tonight (Thursday) and Friday expected to be the worst periods for travel. Please plan ahead, leave the car at home whenever possible and allow extra time for your journeys. You may find these web sites useful:

• Met Office - weather
• Network West Midlands - disruptions
• National Rail - disruptions
• Driving in severe weather
• Advice for winter cycling

Sustainable travel in the workplace

Some of the benefits associated with promoting sustainable travel in the workplace include reduced costs, less congestion, cleaner air and a healthier workforce. If you think your workplace could do more to promote sustainable travel, take a look at our Business Travel Network web pages for guidance. We are encouraging organisations to register, for free, with STARSfor to produce a Travel Plan and take action to reduce the number of trips made by car.

Cycle routes update

On 5 March work is due to commence on the much anticipated A38 cycle route, linking Selly Oak with the city centre. This fully segregated cycle route will run along the existing central reserve and footways, with modifications required at junctions along the A38. Off peak traffic restrictions will be required during the works. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout. Read more about the A38 works.

The construction of the A34 fully segregated cycle route, linking Perry Barr with the city centre, is now under-way. The route will cross two major traffic junctions (Newtown Middleway and Newbury Road), which will be improved to include signals for cyclists. The relocation of bus stops, street furniture, lighting columns and services infrastructure will be required as part of the scheme. Pedestrian footways remain open during the works. Read more about the A34 works.

The Edgbaston Tunnel section of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal remains closed to cyclists and pedestrians. This is to enable works to widen the towpath, greatly improving user access. There is currently an approximate 2 week delay to these works, however Canal and River Trust is working to keep this to a minimum. Read more about the tunnel works. The Rea Valley route is an alternative option whilst these works take place.

New cycle parking

A wide range of new cycle parking facilities is now available in the Colmore Row area of the city centre. This includes covered cycle parking at Snow Hill Station (together with a handy bike maintenance stand) and orange car shaped cycle stands, highlighting how many more bikes can be parked in the space of one car.

Central South West Birmingham 20mph speed limits

The speed limit on residential roads and in local centres in Central South West Birmingham (the majority of Edgbaston, Selly Oak and parts of Harborne and Bournville wards) is being reduced to 20mph. Work to install signs and 20mph markings on the roads is due to take place from 12 March until the end of July. Reducing speed limits is one of the things we are doing to improve road safety. Slower moving traffic also makes streets more pleasant places to live, walk and cycle. Read more about the 20mph works.

Rail improvement works:

• Easter upgrade works
  There will be no trains running to or from London Euston on Easter Sunday (1 April). Network Rail is carrying out essential upgrade work near Wembley. If you are travelling over the Easter weekend your journey will take longer and services may be busier than usual.
• Sutton Coldfield Rail Park and Ride works
  Resurfacing works are currently being carried out in the car park at Sutton Coldfield Rail Park and Ride. This means temporary reduced capacity for cars. On Sunday 4 March the car park will be fully closed (weather permitting), including no pedestrian access through the car park. Pedestrians can continue to access the station, which remains fully open, via the rail station entrance.
• HS2
  You can read all the latest news from the Birmingham HS2 team in the downloadable newsletter. You can also visit the new HS2 in Birmingham website.

Road improvement consultations

We will be consulting on a number of changes to road layouts, mostly to improve access for public transport. Roads affected in the city centre are:

• Sheepcote Street
• Paradise Queensway/Great Charles Street/Margaret Street
• Islington Row Middleway/George Road/Bath Row
• Bath Row/Holloway Head

Read more about the planned improvements and share your views. This consultation opens 1 March and closes 21 March 2018.

Road improvement works:

• West Side redevelopment
  The major transformation of the west side of the city includes the redevelopment of Paradise, renovation of Centenary Square and extension of the Midland Metro. All the businesses and attractions on Broad Street remain open, so you can still enjoy a night out, just be sure to plan your journey. Buses continue to run along Broad Street and the area also remains accessible to pedestrians, cycles and taxis (Hackney cabs). Hackney cabs can be picked up at official taxi ranks or flagged down. Private hire vehicles need to be pre-booked to be insured and there are three dedicated pick up and drop off points in the Broad Street area (Cambridge Street, Bridge Street and Bishopsgate Street).
• Holloway Circus
  The Holloway Circus scheme is nearing completion with the left slip lane into Suffolk Street Queensway now open. The temporary pedestrian crossing on Holloway Head is due to be removed next week which will require a short period of traffic management (up to four hours off peak). From 14-16 March overnight works are planned to carry out works on lighting in the area.
• Ashted Circus
  Construction has started on the Ashted Circus Roundabout redevelopment scheme in Nechells (part of the A4540 Birmingham ring road). Most of the work is being carried out at night (8pm to 6am, Monday to Friday) to avoid disruption at peak times. Temporary pedestrian crossings on Lawley Middleway and Dartmouth Circus are now in operation and access to the pedestrian subways has closed. During the works Heneage Street and Forster Street are one-way eastbound only for traffic. Parking in the area is restricted and those working nearby are advised to avoid parking on local streets. The area is well served by public transport links so please leave the car at home whenever possible.
• Resurfacing works
  The following overnight resurfacing works are required. The dates given for these works are subject to change as a result of adverse weather. Diversions will be in place.
  • Smallbrook Queensway between 9pm and 6am – ongoing until approximately mid-March
  • Soho Road (from Rookery Road to Boulton Road) between 8pm and 6am – ongoing until early March
  • Chester Road (from Sutton Road to end of dual carriageway) between 8pm and 6am from Wednesday 28 February for approximately 2 weeks
  • Bristol Road South (from Cob Lane to Bell Lane) between 7pm and 6am from Thursday 1 March for approximately 5 nights
• M5 (northbound) between junctions 4 and 3
  Highways England is replacing the barriers between junctions 4 and 3 of the M5. The work started on Monday 19 February and is due to finish on 22 March. There will be a single lane closure northbound during the day and two lanes closed overnight from J4 to just before Frankley Services. One overnight full closure of the carriageway will also be required at the end of the works (date to be confirmed). This is in addition to the ongoing works around Oldbury viaduct (M5 junctions 1 to 2).

THINK! mobile phone campaign

It’s been a year since the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving went up to 6 points and £200. Since then, more than 26,000 drivers have been issued 6 points on their licence, and 500 new drivers have lost their licence. The latest THINK! mobile phone campaign highlights that it’s more dangerous than you think to use your phone while driving. Please take action to make our roads safer by following and sharing the advice below:

• Put your phone away before driving so you won’t be tempted to use it. Make the glove compartment the phone compartment.
• Don't call other people when they're driving.
• Use hands free devices responsibly.

Save the date and start planning!

Getting involved in these events is a great way to encourage your workplace or organisation to promote active and sustainable travel….

• Bike Week 2018 takes place from 9 to 17 June
• Let’s Ride Birmingham 2018 takes place on 10 June. This is a free mass participation event suitable for families - more information to follow
• Clean Air Day 2018 takes place 21 June

Please feel free to forward and share this information as appropriate.