Saturday 22 September is World Car Free Day - yet another reason, along with all the road works and improvements, to leave the car at home and use alternative means to travel if possible.

Included in this update:

• Conservative Party Conference
• Metro extension works
• Clean Air Zone
• HS2 preparatory works
• A34 cycle route works
• Ashted Circus works
• Wychall Road footbridge closure
• Longbridge new 30mph speed limit
• ‘Don’t be a space invader’ tailgating campaign
• Sprint consultation

Conservative Party Conference

From Friday 21 September until Friday 5 October additional road closures and increased security measures will be in place for the Conservative Party Conference (hosted by the ICC from 30 September to 3 October). During this time, Broad Street will be closed between Sheepcote Street and Paradise Circus and a number of bus services will follow diversion routes. A bus gateway will be in place from George Road, crossing Islington Middleway onto Bath Row, until further notice. All other vehicles will be able to turn right on Bath Row from Islington Middleway. Pedestrian access will be maintained from the city centre to Broad Street however, access may be restricted to Centenary Square and the ICC.

For more information about bus diversions, road closures and a handy interactive map, produced by Network West Midlands, please visit: www.birmingham.gov.uk/paradise.

Metro extension works

Works to complete the Birmingham Westside Metro extension mean that Paradise Circus continues to be closed to traffic in both directions until summer 2019. The A38 Queensway underpass which runs beneath Paradise Circus remains open in both directions.

Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) has started the process of connecting the existing track on Stephenson Street to the new lines currently under construction. As a result, Metro services will arrive and depart from the same platform immediately outside New Street train station from Monday 24 September until summer 2019. The current Metro stop for departures towards Wolverhampton will not be used during this period but services will otherwise be unaffected.

Broad Street and the surrounding areas remain open for business and visitors as usual, however our advice is to:

• Plan ahead
• Leave the car at home if possible
• Use public transport, walk or cycle to travel
• Allow more time for journeys
• Travel off-peak if possible

Clean Air Zone

Last week Cabinet approved the council’s proposals for Clean Air Zone in Birmingham, including a proposed package of exemptions and mitigations. This information has now been submitted to the Government for feedback. You can find the Cabinet papers online.

HS2 preparatory works

HS2 Ltd continues to carry out work in preparation for the High Speed Two train route into Birmingham as well as the construction of the new Curzon Street Station. As part of these works, the former Fox & Grapes public house was demolished last weekend, ahead of schedule. From 8am on Wednesday 26 September parts of Lawford Close, in Duddeston, will be closed to traffic and pedestrians. Access to some car parks will also be removed. This is to allow surveys to be carried out on some of the local buildings.

Please see attached for more information or visit the HS2 in Birmingham web pages: https://hs2inbirmingham.commonplace.is/ . You can also meet the HS2 team at the following drop-in sessions:

• 18 October - midday to 5pm, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA
• 15 November - 4pm to 6pm, Heartlands Resource Centre, 6 Inkerman Street, B7 4SB

A34 cycle route works

From Monday 8 October Newtown Row, heading out of Birmingham from Lancaster Circus, will close to traffic overnight (9pm-6am). These closures will be in place each night for a five week period and signed diversions will be in place. This is to enable the construction of the new A34 segregated cycle route from Parry Barr to the city centre.

As part of the same scheme, works have been completed at the Newtown Row junction including the introduction of new traffic signals. Once the route is open this will allow cyclists to cross this major junction while remaining segregated from other traffic.

Ashted Circus works

Ashted Circus works are progressing well and the scheme is currently on schedule to complete in early 2019. Since August works have been carried out during the daytime only, however overnight works are due to recommence in October. Peak time delays on Lawley Middleway are being monitored and additional measures are planned to reduce congestion and improve safety.

Wychall Road footbridge closure

Following recent inspections, an emergency closure of the Wychall Road footbridge has been put in place. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained over the road bridge; this means that road traffic will be diverted via Middlemore Road, Church Hill and Woodland Road. These closures could remain in place for several months while further inspections and complex repair works above rail lines take place.

Longbridge new 30mph speed limit

The Longbridge Connectivity Project involves a package of measures to improve transport links to and from Longbridge, revitalise the local economy and support the regeneration of the town centre. As part of this scheme the speed limit on Bristol Road South and Lickey Road has been reduced to 30mph. The new speed limit came into effect on 19 September.

‘Don’t be a space invader’ tailgating campaign

A campaign has been launched by Highways England to raise awareness of the dangers of tailgating. The message is ‘Don’t be a space invader - stay safe, stay back’. It’s extremely important that drivers on all our roads keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Find out more about the campaign and sign up for a free sticker pack: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/staysafestayback/

Sprint consultation

Remember to have your say on plans for a modern, high-quality public transport service. Sprint is a limited stop service with dedicated bus lanes and priority through areas of congestion. The consultation has been extended until 5 October 2018. To find out more: www.tfwm.org.uk/sprint

Save the date

22 September - Still Walking Festival starts

October – International Walk to School Month

This article was posted on 20 September 2018