Infrastructure improvement updates

Dudley Road transport improvements: Work on the next phases of construction began in November 2022. This includes highway improvements to the Spring Hill section of the A457, to the Barford Estate, and upgrades to Winson Green Road and Heath Street.

Eastside Metro Extension: The works to deliver the Metro scheme in the Digbeth area of the city reached a new stage in recent weeks with the new carriageway completed and the public realm works on the Custard Factory side of the street largely completed. Activity has switched to the Birmingham Coach Station side of the street as work begins to prepare this side of the high street to be transformed into the site of the tramway.

City Centre public realm: A multi-million-pound regeneration of Birmingham’s city centre continues with Victoria Square, Colmore Row and Waterloo Street being repaved over the coming months. Design development has commenced for Phase 2 of enhancing the city centre, which aims to design the remaining section of the scheme over the course of 2023.

---

Cycling around the city

With half term next week and Spring just around the corner, it’s a great time to include some more exercise in your daily routine by walking or cycling. There are many opportunities across Birmingham for anyone needing help to get riding, fixing their bike, and meeting new people!

Discover Birmingham by Bike

Over the last few years, there has been a massive investment in cycle infrastructure. ecobirmingham have put together a simple guide to cycling in Birmingham and finding the best routes. They have also created a series of online maps showing bike and walking-friendly routes linking all 69 wards of Birmingham. These routes highlight existing cycle infrastructure, green spaces, and quiet streets, as well as key places of interest.

Find out more and discover Birmingham by bike

New Year Bikeability sessions

Bikeability teaches people how to be confident and safe cyclists. This half-term the Active Wellbeing Society are running a range of free 2-hour sessions for families and children from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February 2023. 

Sessions venues are:

• Handsworth Park, Holly Road, B20 2BY
• Kings Heath Park, Vicarage Road, B14 7TQ
• Oaklands Recreational park, Hob Moor Road, B25 8UB
• Small Heath Wellbeing Centre, Muntz Street, B10 9RX

In order to book yourself a spot, email bikeability@theaws.org or call 0121 728 7030 with the date, venue, and number of people you wish to book for.

---

Find solo or group cycling activities near you

Cycle Confident are delivering activities until the end of March, including bike maintenance training, Learn to Ride sessions and family group cycling sessions. Find an activity near you.

Cycling UK offer all sorts of support and opportunities throughout the year to get people riding more. Find your nearest community cycle club.

Use The Active Wellbeing Society’s Activity Finder to find a range of activities encouraging walking and cycling in your local area.

British Cycling is offering Let’s Ride Guided Rides if you want to cycle more but are looking for adventure without the admin. All you have to do is bring your bike and pedal! Find a guided ride near you.

West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes are available to use across Birmingham, and with bikes now in Moseley, they are more accessible than ever! Visit the WM cycle hire website to get started.

---

Modeshift STARS congratulations

Well done to the latest organisations and schools to have been awarded Modeshift STARS accreditation for taking steps to promote greener, healthier travel.

Special congratulations to National Express West Midlands (Birmingham) and Environment Agency (Birmingham) for achieving their Silver award. They have done work including, improving facilities for people cycling, sharing information about public transport options, offering discounted bikes through the Cycle to Work Scheme, led walks and getting involved in Dr Bike (cycle repair) sessions.

Congratulation also to Grendon Primary School for achieving a Platinum Modeshift STARS accreditation, due to their continued hard work in promoting greener, active modes of travel within their school.

If your school or workplace is interested in finding out more about creating a Travel Plan through the Modeshift STARS scheme, or to register for FREE, email us: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

---

The Raging Bull has a new home

Plans are being finalised to make Birmingham New Street station the new home of the Commonwealth Games’ Raging Bull.

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022 said:  “We would like to say a big thank you to Network Rail for taking on ownership and responsibility for the Raging Bull and we hope that his presence will be an ongoing reminder of the superb summer of 2022 and that he will continue to be a key attraction for visitors to Birmingham for years to come.” Read the full article

---

National Cycle Networks Portrait benches

Thanks to funding from the Department for Transport, a new series of steel figures are being installed across some of the country’s most popular cycle paths in recognition of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year.  Steel figures of Lenny Henry, Ellie Simmonds and Jane Sixsmith were the latest additions to Osler Street Park. The portrait benches project is helping to make the National Cycle Network a more attractive and welcoming space for everyone across the community. Read the full article.

---

Hold the date - Birmingham Transport Summit

Wednesday 26 April

The Birmingham Transport Plan was approved in October 2021, and since then a lot of work has been carried out to produce a Delivery Plan, which details how this will be implemented over the next few years. We will be hosting a Transport Summit at the Council House on Wednesday 26 April to update partners and stakeholders on this, along with an opportunity to hear from a great range of speakers from Birmingham and the West Midlands, as well as across the UK and Europe. Further information and booking details will be released soon.

---

Dates for the diary

Modeshift TravelWise and STARS Business Conference - Thursday 16 March

The theme of this conference is ‘Switchable trips: from private car to active travel and public transport’. Find out more about the conference and book to attend

Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel - starts Monday 20 March

The UK’s biggest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling to school competition, register your school now

Living Streets National Walking Summit - Thursday 23 March

This summit will focus on achieving active travel goals and the benefits they offer to public health and local economies. Find out more and sign up to attend

Birmingham Transport Summit - Wednesday 26 April

This Summit will launch the Birmingham Transport Plan Delivery Plan and have several fantastic speakers, more details to follow soon

BRAKE Beep Beep! Day - Wednesday 26 April

Take part in Beep Beep! Day to teach young children important road safety basics and help parents, carers and the wider community understand how to protect children on roads

Breeze Ride Leader Training in Birmingham - Saturday 29 April

Enrol on this course to become a Level 1 Cycling Ride Leader

Living Street National Walking Month - May

Keep up to date with the latest National Walking Month news

Cycling UK Bike Week - Monday 5 June

This year Bike Week is all about cycling to work, get involved

Clean Air Day - Thursday 15 June

Keep up to date with the latest Clean Air Day 2023 news