Birmingham Connected bulletin - 5 December 2018

Including Christmas travel advice, West Midlands Police drink drive campaign, A4540 Ring Road works, Metro extension update and more.

Included in this update:

Christmas travel

‘Tis the season to leave the car at home and travel by public transport, walk or cycle to avoid getting caught in a jam. Visit our web pages for travel tips and a handy interactive map to help you find your way around Birmingham’s Christmas attractions.

If you’re out for the evening, remember to check times for the last services home. Train and bus services are likely to run to an amended timetable over Christmas and the New Year so please check before you travel and leave plenty of time for your journey.

  • For information about train travel visit: National Rail web pages
  • Plan your journey by bus, rail or Metro using the Network West Midlands journey planner
  • National Express West Midlands buses has additional Christmas travel information
  • National Express Coaches operate services throughout the festive season.

West Midlands Police drink drive campaign

The Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving has commenced. West Midlands Police will be targeting irresponsible drivers who put lives at risk through their illegal actions on the roads. Drivers are also reminded that you can still be over the limit the morning after a night of drinking. So if you’re planning on drinking, make sure you plan how to get home without driving. To find out more about driving and alcohol visit the Drink Aware web pages.

Road Safety Scheme A4540 Middleway Ring Road

Work to install Average Speed Enforcement (ASE) Cameras and new road traffic signs has commenced on the A4540 between Five Ways Circus and Haden Circus. While works take place some daytime traffic management is required between 9:30am and 3:30pm, including the reduction by one lane of sections of the A4540. Overnight, a single lane closure will be required between 10pm and 6am and the overnight closure of the Belgrave Underpass will be in place on Sunday 9 December (10pm to 6am). Works are expected to finish on 14 December.

Metro extension works

The next phase of Birmingham Westside Metro Extension will commence early in 2019. This stage of the works will see the Metro line extended from Centenary Square to Hagley Road in Edgbaston. To facilitate this stage of construction, Broad Street Canal Tunnel will close to canal and towpath traffic in both directions from Wednesday 2 January 2019 and remain closed until early spring. More information and alternative routes can be found on Midland Metro Alliance website.

Harborne bus lane

A new bus priority lane which aims to tackle congestion and improve service reliability is now open along the Harborne Road. The bus lane operates from 7am to 10am, Monday to Saturday, between Kingscote Road and Highfield Road, towards Birmingham. If you haven’t tried using the bus for a while why not give it a go? As well as providing a faster and more reliable service, the 23/24 National Express Platinum buses also offer comfier seating, extra legroom, free WIFI and USB charging points.

Camp Hill Line stations drop in events

Two further drop-in sessions are open to the public to find out more about the new stations proposed for the Camp Hill Line in south Birmingham (Hazelwell, Kings Heath and Moseley). Pop along to discuss the plans and have your say:

  • Thursday 6 December at Kings Heath Library, 2pm to 5:45pm
  • Wednesday 12 December at The Hub, Hazelwell on Vicarage Road, 3pm to 7pm

Green Travel Open Project Night

Are you interested in taking action to increase green travel in Birmingham? The next Green Travel Open Project Night takes place Monday 10 December 6.30pm to 8pm at Impact Hub Birmingham, 58 Oxford Road, Digbeth, B5 5NR. All welcome. For more information email connected@birmingham.gov.uk .

Award for pioneering traffic light technology

Innovative technology designed to reduce road congestion and improve air quality has won a national award. The Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) system, which was installed and trialled on the A45 Coventry Road in Birmingham, alerts drivers of approaching traffic light changes allowing them to adjust their speed accordingly.

Pay by phone parking

Phone parking in council car parks changed to RingGo on 26 November 2018. You can register online, by downloading the RingGo app or by calling 0121 367 0000. Find out more about using RingGo.

Consultations: Improving Birmingham’s urban centres and Birmingham Budget

Birmingham residents are encouraged to take part in a public consultation on the future of the city’s high streets and shopping parades. This includes major changes to Perry Barr with the investment in the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village. More information is available on Be Heard and your views are welcome via the online survey.

You can also have your say on Birmingham City Council’s budget proposals for 2019+. This consultation runs until 31 December 2018.

Article posted on 6 December

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