Birmingham Connected update - transport and travel news 8 June 2022

Get Set For The Games, Bike Week & the trams return

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games are next month! Tickets are still available to buy on a first come, first serve basis so act fast to secure your tickets.

Birmingham City Council want all residents to be able to enjoy the Games events and festival sites, whilst also being able to go about their day-to-day activities. The Birmingham 2022 official website provides some top tips to keep moving during the Games.

Need more information on how to get set for the games? Drop - in sessions targeted at residents and businesses living or working near to a Games venue are taking place over the next two months. There are also a number of business briefing webinars available, however, you need to register in order to attend. Find the appropriate event for you and register on the Official Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games website.

Getting to the Games couldn't be easier as your Games ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of your event, so it's the best way to travel!

Use the Games Journey Planner to find your best route!

Tram Update

West Midlands Metro services will resume on Thursday 9 June, with trams running between Wolverhampton St George's and Birmingham Bull Street. Read the latest service statement on the West Midlands Metro website.

Following the successful completion of the final interface test between bus and tram, the majority of bus services which were diverted from Broad Street during construction for the Birmingham Westside Metro extension, returned on Sunday 5 June 2022 to serve new bus stops along Centenary Square and Broad Street. To celebrate the return National Express West Midlands are offering discounted tickets. You can find out which bus routes have changed on the National Express website and stay updated by visiting the Transport for West Midlands website.

Cleaner Air for Birmingham

Air quality in central Birmingham has improved since the Clean Air Zone was implemented a year ago. There has also been a significant fall in the percentage of the most polluting vehicles entering the city centre. This reduction in the most polluting traffic - falling from 18.7 per cent on 1 June 2021 to 9.2 per cent in April 2022 - has contributed to an overall reduction in the levels of nitrogen dioxide by 13 per cent in the first six months of the scheme. Read the full story on the Birmingham City Council website.

Clean Air Day

Clean Air Day, the UK's largest campaign on air pollution is on Thursday 16 June 2022.

This Clean Air Day there are simple steps we can all take to cut down on the pollution we cause and use our voices to fight for a cleaner air future. Walking has positive benefits for your health and the planet so we are encouraging people to do three key things around this theme:

  • Talk to someone about the harms of air pollution
  • Walk those short distance trips and leave the car at home, where you can
  • Ask local and national decision makers for what would make it easier for you to walk more and have clean air in your community

Several events will take place on Clean Air Day (16 June), including:

Air Quality in Schools

Birmingham City Council is working with Airly to install air quality sensors in schools and wards across the city.

The sensors, which are weatherproof, will measure outdoor levels of particulate matter, 24 hours a day within their immediate vicinity. Both schools and the council will use the data from these sensors.

Read more on the work Airly are doing. You may also want to read the Council's Clean Air Strategy which sets out a clear set of actions, priorities and pledges that will enable everyone in the city to be part of the journey to improving the air we breathe. Find it on the Brum Breathes website.

CAZ Financial Incentives

Don't forget, there are a range of financial incentives to support key groups, who are owners of vehicles that will be charged if they enter the Clean Air Zone.

Find out if you're eligible for any of these incentives on the Brum Breathes website.

Walking, cycling and scooting

Bike Week

It's Bike Week! A fantastic opportunity to encourage your staff to cycle. The Cycling UK website has some great ideas for your organisation to get involved. Take the opportunity to remind staff if you have a Cycle to Work Scheme in place, let them know about cycle parking options at your site or encourage people to try West Midlands Cycle Hire.

Community Cycle Clubs across Birmingham have friendly led rides for all abilities on offer. Find your nearest Cycling UK Community Cycle Club or take part in a British Cycling Let's Ride Guided Ride.

Get stuck in with Colmore BID

Join Colmore BID for bike week:

  • Free Dr Bike Clinic - Cycling UK and New Roots are providing a free Dr Bike Health Check. Slots will last for 30 minutes. The session will take place in Snow Hill Square, outside of Snow Hill Train Station between 10am-2pm on Thursday 9 June. Booking in advance is advised but drop-ins are welcome.
  • Bike Marking Drop-In - West Midlands Police will be hosting a free drop-in marking event to provide cycle security advice and offer security marking and registration onto BikeRegister's online database. The session will take place in Snow Hill Square between 10am-2pm on Thursday 9 June and there is no booking required.

More Voi!

Voi e-scooters have expanded their trial across Birmingham with new operating areas to suburban neighbourhoods across the city. This includes: Bordesley Green, Handsworth, Harborne, Bournville, Saltley, Small Heath, Moseley, Wake Green, King's Heath, Balti Triangle and Rotton Park. Find out more about Voi on their website.

Road Safety

In 2022, Birmingham City Council concluded a Behavioural Science Project aimed at tackling low seatbelt use amongst South Asian teenagers. There will be a free two-hour workshop on Wednesday 13 July at 10am to share learning from this innovative project. The learning from this project is highly transferable to other challenges facing the sector; from decarbonising our cities through to active travel.

Read more about this event and register via Eventbrite. Places are expected to go quickly! This work has been funded through the Road Safety Trust.

Travel Planning with Modeshift STARS

With many people now returning to the workplace, it's an important time to talk to staff about the best ways to commute. If your workplace is based in Birmingham, find out how the Modeshift STARS travel planning and accreditation scheme can support your organisation with the promotion of greener, healthier travel. Contact us: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Current works - A47 lane closure

To prepare for the construction of the new overbridge on Aston Church Road, there needs to be the creation of an entry and exit point along the A47 to accommodate long vehicles accessing the site.

These works are due to be carried out from Monday 6 June until Friday 24 June between 9:30am and 3:30pm each day. In order to carry out the works safely a lane along a section of the A47 Heartlands Parkway will be closed. There will be clear signage in place and access to properties and businesses will be maintained.

Keep up to date with what is happening in your local area.

Have your say

Kings Heath local centre public consultation - BCC are proposing to permanently widen sections of the footway on the high street that were temporarily widened for social distancing during the pandemic. A number of loading bays and blue badge disabled parking bays will be provided. Consultation closes 10 June 2022.

Dudley Road - Phase 2 Spring Hill - Traffic Regulation Order consultation - This consultation is about the Traffic Regulation Orders associated with phase 2 of the Dudley Road/Spring Hill corridor improvement scheme. Consultation closes 14 June 2022.

Tangmere Drive - proposed controlled pedestrian and cycle crossing - As part of the Better Streets Community Fund scheme, BCC, in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands is planning to upgrade the existing uncontrolled pedestrian crossing to a dual crossing for pedestrians and cyclists. Consultation closes 24 June 2022.

Dudley Road - Phase 3 Barford estate Traffic Regulation Order consultation - This consultation is about the Traffic Regulation Orders associated with phase 3 of the Dudley Road/Spring Hill corridor improvement scheme. Consultation closes 27 June 2022.

Car Free School Streets: Experimental Traffic Regulation Order - Car Free School Streets mean streets outside certain schools are closed to motor traffic at the start and end of the day. In April 2022, the scheme was extended to five additional schools. Consultation closes 25 October 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 closes 1 November 2022.

Dates for the diary

9 June - Dr Bike with New Roots Cycle Club and security marking with British Transport Police - bring your bike to Snow Hill Square between 10am and 2pm

9 June - HS2 Virtual Summit for businesses- find out more about the opportunities HS2 will bring to local businesses. Read more and join with West Midlands Combined Authority.

15 June - Modeshift STARS webinar: Sustainable travel to sporting events - A BASIS Event - Book your place on the Modeshift STARS website

16 June - Clean Air Day - take part in various events across the day.

13 July - Webinar: How would a behavioural scientist go about influencing road user behaviour? - Read more and register for this event.

28 July - 8 August - Commonwealth Games 2022 - Find out more and purchase tickets.

Article posted 8 June 2022

This entry was posted by Alex McEwan on 09/06/2022.

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