The Highway Code

Are you aware of the forth-coming changes to the Highway Code due to be brought in at the end of January? If not, the new advice includes:

• Drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which their vehicle is turning.
• Drivers should not cut across cyclists or horse riders going ahead when turning into or out of a junction or changing direction/lane, to prevent "left hook" collisions.
• Drivers should open car doors using the "Dutch reach" method, with the hand on the opposite side to the door they are opening. This makes drivers turn their heads to look over their shoulders and reduces the likelihood of "dooring" a passing cyclist.
• Drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds.

The changes will come into force on 29 January 2022.To see the full details click here.

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Walking and Cycling

Let's Ride Through Winter

Join British Cycling's latest challenge! Keep your motivation up in the colder months by getting involved in one of their guided rides. For every person that takes part and completes a challenge, a tree will be planted. Each month there will be a prize draw for lucky winners who will receive two ICON front bike lights. Find your nearest ride now. #LetsRideThroughWinter

Dust Off Your Bike

EcoBirmingham's 'Dust Off Your Bike' programme aims to get more people in Birmingham commuting by bike. The programme offers a menu of activities for businesses to help get staff pedalling and can be tailored to your needs, including cycle maintenance, led rides and route finding.

If you cycle to work there is also their Bike Breakfast Club! Leaving the car at home is a great opportunity to improve your fitness, start the day feeling fresh, meet new people and get tips/advice from other riders. Find more information here.

Free Cycle Racks

Cycle parking can help your staff to cycle to work as they know their bike will be secure. If your workplace could benefit from additional cycle storage, you can still apply for FREE cycle racks through Transport for West Midlands and Park That Bike. Be quick as there is a limited amount of cycle parking available.

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Clean Air Day

Global Action Plan has published the Clean Air Day 2021 Insights & Celebration Report to mark five years of the campaign.

The five-year review reveals half of the UK public have now heard of Clean Air Day, since the campaign's inception in 2017. Eight out of ten (82%) people believe tackling air pollution should be a priority for the UK and six in ten (64%) people now choose to walk or cycle instead of using a car for short journeys, a 22% increase since 2017. For more information on the findings and for the full report, please visit the Global Action Plan website.

The next Clean Air Day is taking place on June 16 2022. Save the date!

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HS2

HS2 has committed to being powered by zero carbon energy! This supports goals including:

• Making HS2 net zero from 2035
• Making construction sites diesel-free by 2029
• Halving emissions from steel and concrete by 2030

This will also support the government's 2050 target to tackle climate change. Read more on the HS2 website.

Birmingham's Curzon Street Station has starred in a TV documentary on the channel Yesterday and their series The Architecture the Railways Built. This episode focused on the past, present and future of Curzon Street station with presenter Tim Dunn exploring the archaeology of the former Birmingham terminus. If you missed the broadcast, you can catch-up anytime on UKTV Play.

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Current Works

Metro

Works for the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension and the Digbeth public realm improvements are ongoing in Lower Bull Street and Digbeth High Street. This week diversion works started on Meriden Street. This will lead to some disruption for road users but every effort will be made to minimise the impact wherever possible.

Access to all businesses on Meriden street will be maintained but be sure to plan ahead, leave more time for journeys and use real-time travel information provided by West Midlands Roads on Twitter and the Transport for West Midlands website. Read more regarding the metro works on the Midland Metro Alliance website.

A34 Perry Barr Highway Scheme

The A34 scheme has been on-site for 18 months and the bulk of the work is now complete. The scheme has successfully overcome a range of hurdles, and reached some significant milestones, including the dismantling of the flyover.

The scheme has recently announced its inclusion of the delivery of the Perry Barr Bus Interchange, a new bus lane and public realm works on Aldridge Road. As a result, the new larger A34 scheme will now be complete on a phased basis across Spring 2022, in time for the area's summer festivities. For more information and to read Birmingham City Council's statement in full, please click here.

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Workplace Travel Plans

Following government advice, employees should currently work from home if possible. If travel for work is necessary, choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport (you must wear a face covering) helps make the air cleaner, supports health and wellbeing and can cut costs.

Workplaces in Birmingham can use the Modeshift STARS scheme to help promote greener, healthier ways to travel and be rewarded for demonstrating excellence in this area. Several organisations gained accreditation and awards through the scheme in 2021, including National Express West Midlands (pictured above) and we're looking forward to awarding more accreditations very soon! If your workplace would like to find out more about Modeshift STARS and register for FREE contact us at connected@birmingham.gov.uk.

For further resources and support for businesses visit Transport for West Midlands or Birmingham City Council.

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Achievements

Transport for West Midlands

Well done to Anne Shaw for being permanently appointed as executive director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) having led the organisation on an interim basis for the past six months. Read the full story here.

Living Streets

Congratulations to the former Interim Chief Executive of Living Streets, Jenni Wiggle, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Honours List 2022. Jenni has been recognised for helping millions of people to walk more, particularly as part of the charity's walk to school programme, and for her response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Have Your Say

Spring Hill landscape design- As part of the Dudley Road Transport Improvements we are planning to make changes to areas of grass, trees and plants, and to create new green spaces. Consultation runs from 17 January to 7 February 2022.

Electric Vehicle charging point survey - This survey aims to understand the electric vehicle charging needs of those living in areas who have limited or no off-street parking. Consultation is ongoing.

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Dates for the diary

19 January - Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Business Report Q4 Briefing: Innovation in Greater Birmingham - National Express discuss technology investment and implementing innovative practices at this free online event. Register here.

21 March to 1 April - Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel - The UK's largest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling challenge which aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of pupils to get active on the school run. Learn more about the challenge here.

31 March - Modeshift STARS Business Conference - Keep an eye on this page for the agenda and further details to be provided soon.

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Article posted 14 January 2022