Project Updates

There are lots of exciting transport projects happening in Birmingham. Find out more about some of the main schemes, and what stages they are at in their delivery...

Eastside Midland Metro Extension

The Eastside Midland Metro Extension has reached a key milestone as Lower Bull Street re-opened on Sunday 23 July following the installation of tram tracks on this section of road. This will allow the return of buses nearby, serving new stops on Corporation Street.

Sprint bus priority measures

Sprint Phase 1 resulted in over 7 miles of new bus lanes, bus priority at busy junctions, and the installation of over 70 enhanced new shelters.

Sprint Phase 2 was open for consultation earlier this year, and proposes further bus lane extensions along the A45, with further improvements along the A34. Phase 2 will complete the Sprint corridor between Walsall and Solihull, with work expected to begin in 2024.

Bus passengers are already enjoying the benefits of Sprint, as journey times to key routes have reduced by up to 22%. A survey of bus passengers has also revealed a 98% satisfaction rate with the new bus shelters.

A457 Dudley Road transport improvements

Work continues on the highway improvements to the Spring Hill section of the A457 and upgrades to Winson Green Road and Heath Street. These improvements are due for completion in Winter 2023/24. The Barford Road and Northbrook Street Phase 3 works were completed in May 2023, and provide new and improved links to Summerfield Park and the Birmingham Mainline Canal. Find out more about the scheme on the Council website.

City Centre Public Realm Improvement scheme

Works to improve the City Centre Public Realm continue with over 2,000m2 of new granite paving being laid across Victoria Square and Colmore Row.

Works will continue in Colmore Row and Waterloo Street to break out old carriageway and make way for new transformative paved areas and permanent Hostile Vehicle Mitigation measures.

Construction will pause in November and December 2023 to make way for the annual Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.

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The Summer of Cycling

Learn to Ride and Cycle Fix It

The Active Wellbeing Society is hosting a range of activities for you and your family to get involved with, including various 'Learn to Ride' cycle training sessions across Birmingham and Cycle Fix It and Dr Bike sessions, where mechanics can check your bike over for free. To find sessions near you, head to the TAWS Activity Finder.

Hire Bikes

TAWS will also have a range of bikes to loan for free, for up to 3 hours at Handsworth Park on Saturdays from 10:30am – 1:30pm. You don’t need to book in advance, but it is advised to arrive early to secure a bike!

Bikeability sessions

They will also be offering FREE sessions at Billesley Tennis Centre, Calthorpe Park & Small Heath Wellbeing Centre. These sessions will be running from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 July in the mornings and afternoons. Spaces are limited and booking is required. Contact bikeability@theaws.org to book onto a session.

British Cycling Summer of Cycling

Check out British Cycling’s Summer of Cycling calendar. There are taster sessions, traffic-free group rides, fun coaching and entry-level racing, with all bikes and abilities welcome. Find out what’s on in the West Midlands.

Ecobirmingham's 69wards by Bike or Foot

This Summer provides the perfect opportunity to use ecobirmingham’s 69wards by bike or foot maps. This collection of 13 online maps showcases bike and walking-friendly routes, linking all 69 wards of Birmingham to encourage sustainable transport behaviour. 

British Cycling & Ordnance Survey maps

British Cycling teamed up with Ordnance Survey to produce 80 fantastic cycling maps of routes across the West Midlands. All of the routes can be accessed for free, and you can download and follow them easily through the OS Maps app. To see the maps online, head to the Ordnance Survey website.

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TravelWise Week

Saturday 16 to Friday 22 September

TravelWise Week is a world-wide, week-long travel challenge where Modeshift asks everyone to travel wisely!

TravelWise Week provides the perfect opportunity to talk about alternatives to driving, whilst raising awareness around the impacts of travel choices on health, wellbeing and the environment. We’re encouraging YOU to get involved and host an activity at your workplace or organisation.

Find a guide and free resources on the Modeshift website. All eligible organisations taking part also have the opportunity to be recognised through Modeshift’s TravelWise Week Awards!

We will be organising a range of activities for TravelWise Week and for World Car Free Day on Friday 22 September - look out for further details to be shared shortly.

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You're bussing it!

Travelling by bus is a great way to get around the city, and it has never been so easy! There are lots of useful ticket offers such as the £2 single fare cap, and group saver tickets. You can also get discounts at top attractions if you travel there by bus, including 30% off at the Sealife Centre and Legoland!

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Road Works

Chester Road

In Summer 2023, Balfour Beatty VINCI, in partnership with HS2, will be carrying out critical utility diversions on A452 Chester Road between Spitfire Island and Castle Bromwich Interchange. Works will be undertaken throughout the Summer, with the impact being minimised where possible by traffic management. Chester Road will remain open for the duration of the work but there will be some lanes closed to traffic. Further information will be shared on the “HS2 In your area” website in the coming weeks, as well as on the TfWM website.

Grosvenor Street West

Road reconstruction and carriageway resurfacing will be taking place at Grosvenor Street West between Sheepcote Street and Rawlins Street from Thursday 29 July until Friday 1 September. You can find out more about the scheduled works on the Westside Bid website.

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Have your say

City Road local safety scheme

Following concerns raised by residents and several road traffic collisions, changes to City Road were consulted on in March 2020 to improve road safety.This consultation is about the Traffic Regulation Orders (the legal documents required to make changes to the status of the road) associated with the City Road local safety scheme. Find out more and have your say. Consultation ends 8 August.

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Dates for the diary

Cycle to work day - 3/8/23

Birmingham Weekender - 26/8/23

TravelWise Week - 16/9/23

World Car Free Day - 22/9/23