Christmas in Birmingham

Visit Birmingham this Christmas for a fabulously festive experience!

Birmingham has so much to offer, from theatre and pantomime, ice-skating, Christmas Markets and fantastic shopping spots. Find out more about what you can get involved with over the festive period.

With so many exciting activities taking place the city is going to be very busy. You can help to reduce congestion by thinking about when and how you travel:

• Saturday afternoons are busiest. Consider visiting on Saturday morning, Sunday or a week day instead
• Give your car the day off, use public transport, walking or cycling (or a combination of these)
• If you do choose to drive, be mindful of the Clean Air Zone. Check to see if your car is compliant, and if not, be aware that you will have to pay the charge
• West Midlands Cycle Hire and Voi scooters are fantastic ways to get around the city

Find out more about travelling to Birmingham here

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Remembrance Sunday ceremony road closures

Sunday 13 November

The annual Remembrance Day ceremony will take place on Colmore Row on Sunday 13 November 2022, including the annual public and military Remembrance Day parade. 

In order to facilitate the ceremony, the following roads will be closed:

• Colmore Row – Full length
• Waterloo Street – Full length
• Temple Row – Full length
• Church Street – From the junction of Barwick Street to the junction of Colmore Row
• Newhall Street – From the junction of Edmund Street to the junction of Colmore Row
• Bennetts Hill – Full length
• Temple Row West – Full length

The closures will run from 6am to 2:30pm.  During the closures, no vehicles will be permitted to travel along the closed roads. The only exception to this will be for deliveries to frontages. Christmas Markets will also be paused during these hours.

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Brake's Road Safety Week is here

Monday 14 to Sunday 20 November

This year's theme for Road Safety Week is SAFE ROADS FOR ALL.

The aim is to...

• Think about how we can all use roads safely to protect ourselves and other road users
• Understand how safe roads can enable everyone to make safe and healthy journeys
• Remember road crash victims and share their stories

There are many resources available to help you get involved with Road Safety Week. This includes finding out more about changes to the Highway Code brought in at the start of 2022 to make it safer for people walking and cycling. How much do you know about the Highway Code? Response to Brake's survey here.

Find ideas and resources for organisations and schools here

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Cycling around Birmingham

West Midlands Cycle Hire - New corporate bundles

West Midlands Cycle Hire is an environmentally and commuter-friendly way to get around the West Midlands region.

The bikes are well integrated into wider public transport links. By purchasing corporate bundle minutes for your organisation, you will reap all the benefits the cycles provide for staff wellbeing at a reduced rate.

Sign up here

Colmore BID and Iconic Productions have produced some inspiring videos about cycling in and around Birmingham. Watch Jaimon George's story about some of the benefits of commuting by bike.

Colmore BID also host Dr Bike sessions. The next one is on 21 November at Snow Hill Square. For more information visit their website.

Cycling for Everyone

Cycling for Everyone aims to make it easier for people to get active with cycling. It helps workplaces and communities show how cycling can be a part of everyday life.

There are many activities available within Birmingham and offers will be regularly updated, including:

• Led rides
• Free cycle hire (16+)
• Adult, child, and family cycle training

Learn to cycle

Free accessible cycle sessions are now available for ages 14 - 30! These hour-long sessions will run every Saturday from 12 November to 10 December at Perry Hall Park at 10am and 11am. Email parkride@midlandmencap.org.uk for more information and to book yourself a spot. 

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Modeshift STARS national secondary school of the year

After winning the Modeshift STARS Secondary School of the Region award earlier this year, Moseley School and Sixth Form have gone on to win the National Secondary School of the Year award at a recent event in London!

Moseley School and Sixth Form have been doing some fantastic work to promote active travel such as introducing a bike loan system and creating a parking campaign outside of their school. Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

Schools, workplaces and other organisations can all create travel plans with Modeshift STARS scheme and gain accreditation. To find out more and to register for free, email connected@birmingham.gov.uk.

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Active Travel Birmingham Challenge

Thank to you everyone who took part in the month-long Active Travel Birmingham Challenge, that ended on 4 November. Weekly prize winners have been notified and prizes will be issued shortly!

“The app encouraged me to use my car less and to think more about active travel. Having recently started a new job, I decided to try walking into work rather than catching the bus. It takes me around an hour to walk into work, but it means that I get a good amount of exercise before I start the work day, and I have a few hours to recover before its time to walk back!”

– Tom, Active Travel Birmingham Challenge user

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Have your say

Dudley Road Phase 4 Winson Green Road/Heath Street: Traffic Regulation Orders

Over the next few years, a lot of new housing will be built near Dudley Road, increasing the number of people wanting to travel in the area. We are therefore planning to improve the Winson Green Road and Heath Street area to:

• upgrade facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
• reduce traffic congestion through junctions

Consultation ends on 21 November 2022

A435 Alcester Road South Bus Priority

The scheme comprises of four interventions located between Maypole Lane in Druids Heath and Featherstone Road in Kings Heath. There will be a Teams live event on 17 November at 6pm, and a public drop-in event at Druids Heath library Idmiston Croft B14 5NJ on 19 November at 10am - 1pm. For more information on these visit the BeHeard page. Consultation ends on 25 November 2022

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Please email the Birmingham Connected team if you would like to be added to or removed from our mailing list: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

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Article uploaded on 9 November 2022