Christmas in Birmingham

Festive celebrations are well and truly underway in Birmingham. With so many exciting activities taking place the city will be very busy. You can help to reduce congestion by planning your journey ahead of time...

• LEAVE the car at home, and use the city's excellent public transport options
• CYCLE or SCOOT to your destination, West Midlands Cycle Hire and Voi scooters are available across the city
• CHECK public transport timetables, amended train timetables will begin from Sunday 11 December, amended bus timetables will begin from 12 December. For further information visit the National Rail travel summary page.
• PLAN ahead, Saturday afternoons are often the busiest so consider visiting at a different time instead.
• THINK about how you are getting home, don’t rely on the last train/bus service.
• REMEMBER the Clean Air Zone is in place. If you do choose to drive, check to see if your vehicle is compliant and if it isn’t, be mindful of the charge.

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Train Strikes

Industrial action impacting all train operators and Network Rail has been announced for the following dates:

• Tue 13/Wed 14 December 2022
• Fri 16/Sat 17 December 2022
• Tue 3/Wed 4 January 2023
• Fri 6/Sat 7 January 2023

Additionally, action short of a strike has been announced action for the period between Sunday 18 December 2022 and Monday 2 January 2023. The impact on services during this time is still to be confirmed.

For further information check the West Midlands Railway website

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THINK! Mates for Life campaign

THINK! has re-launched their Mates for Life campaign which calls on friends to do what they do best – look out for each other. The campaign is specifically calling for mates to intervene and stop their mates when they are tempted to drink and drive. You can amplify the message during the World Cup and over the festive season by sharing this message on social media or download films to share on your own channels.

Find out more about the THINK! Campaign

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Modeshift STARS award

Last week Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, presented four Birmingham Schools with their Modeshift STARS awards. These schools have been doing excellent work to encourage sustainable and active modes of travel.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to: Lea Forest Primary Academy – Platinum award, Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School – Platinum award, Grendon Primary School – Gold award and SS John & Monica Catholic Primary School – Silver award.

This week, Councillor Clements will present The Midlands Arts Centre with its Silver Modeshift STARS award. CONGRATULATIONS to the MAC on their excellence in supporting walking, cycling and other forms of sustainable travel.

If your school or organisation is already involved in the Modeshift STARS scheme, accreditation applications need to be submitted before Saturday 31 December 2022. If you would like to find out more, or to register for FREE with Modeshift STARS email us:

connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Why not spread some festive cheer in your school or organisation this December by taking part in the #ModeshiftWinterWonderland Challenge

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Winter cycling

Keep your bike in top condition

It's important to give your bike some TLC all year round and winter weather may mean it needs an extra bit of attention. Find winter cycling tips on the Birmingham City Council website.

During December and into the new year some workplaces in Birmingham will be hosting Dr Bike cycle maintenance sessions as part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival – if your workplace is involved, make sure you bring your bike along for some FREE repairs.

Develop your confidence with cycling

Cycle Confident aims to make it easier for people to get active with cycling. There are activities available within Birmingham, including bike maintenance classes and adult cycle training sessions.

Find a cycling course near you

Cycling for Everyone

Find additional resources such as bike giveaways, free West Midlands Cycle Hire minutes, and local cycling events and activities on the Cycling for Everyone page.

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Community Design Event - Curzon Viaduct Approach

 High Speed Two (HS2) is the new high-speed railway for Britain. The Curzon Street Approach Viaducts will connect the HS2 line to the new purpose-built Curzon Street Station.

At this event you will be able to:

• View designs for the Curzon Approach Viaducts
• Learn about construction plans
• Find out about live job vacancies and training opportunities
• Meet the team and ask questions

This event will be held on: Thursday 15 December, 4.00pm to 7.30pm at West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW.

Sign up to attend the event on Eventbrite

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Kent Street road closure

Due to sewer connection works, Kent Street will be temporarily closed for all vehicles between Wrentham Street and Gooch Street North. The works are expected to take place from 5 to 23 December 2022. The eastern footway will remain open during the works.

Diversions will be signposted. Cyclists affected by the works will be diverted as follows:

Into city: from the end of the cycleway on Wrentham Street, join the carriageway on Wrentham Street, turn left into Gooch Street North and right into Kent Street to re-join the cycleway.

Out of city: from the cycleway on Kent Street, turn left into Gooch Street North, and then right into Wrentham Street to re-join the cycleway

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M42 road closure

M42 temporary road closure will be in place between junctions 9 and 10 from 23 December to 3 January 2023. 

The closure will be both southbound and northbound. Diversions will be in place, please plan ahead.

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Have your say

Moving Traffic Enforcement consultation closes on 26 December

From 31 May 2022, local authorities in England outside of London have been able to apply to the Secretary of State for new powers to enforce ‘moving traffic offences’ and will be able to issue fines to drivers for these offences for the first time. Birmingham City Council plans to apply to the Department for Transport for these powers to improve safety, tackle congestion and support public travel and active travel by enforcing moving traffic offences through Automatic Number Plate Recognition.

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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