Birmingham Connected bulletin - 9 April 2019

Transport and travel news and advice, including the opening of the new Birmingham Cycle Revolution A34 cycle route

Birmingham Cycle Revolution A34 cycle route OPEN!

It’s bold, it’s blue, it’s the new traffic-free cycle route along the A34 between Birmingham city centre and Heathfield Road in Birchfield. And it's now largely OPEN, so why not give it a go?

The opening of the A34 cycle route is another huge step towards making cycling an easier, safer and better way to travel for many more people. Whether you are heading to work, the shops, to visit a friend, to a football match or travelling for any other reason, cycling is a great option. Please note some corrective work may still be taking place on some parts of the route.

On the other side of the city, the final blue surface layer is due to start going down on the A38 cycle route. This will provide a largely traffic-free route from Selly Oak to Birmingham city centre and is expected to be complete in May.

With changes to road layouts along the new cycle routes we are asking drivers to:

Think BLUE, let cyclists through and always abide by the give way markings at side roads and central reservations. 

For the safety of people planning to use the A38 cycle route, traffic movements at Priory Crossroads have permanently changed. Travelling out of the city, traffic can no longer make a right turn into Priory Road from Bristol Road. Travelling into the city, traffic can no longer make a right or left turn into Priory Road from Bristol Road.

With the recent announcement of Shanaze Reade as the first West Midlands Cycling and Walking Ambassador and HSBC UK Let’s Ride Birmingham just around the corner, these are exciting times for cycling in Birmingham.

Primark store opening

The UK’s largest Primark store will open in Birmingham city centre on Thursday 11 April at 10am. The city centre is expected to be very busy on this day and on the first weekend of the Easter holidays (13 to 14 April).

Advice for anyone travelling into the city

Westside - Five Ways and Hagley Road

Preparations are underway for the next stage of the Westside Metro extension to Edgbaston and the introduction of bus priority measures along Hagley Road later in the summer. As part of these works Five Ways underpass will close to all traffic in June. The Five Ways roundabout will remain open to traffic, however the area will be busy and you are advised to use public transport, walk or cycle for a smoother journey.

To inform improvements in the area, share your views in the Transport for West Midlands travel survey. Complete the survey by 15 April and be in with a chance of winning a £30 voucher.

Speak to a member of the team about the Westside works and how your journey may be affected at the following drop in sessions:

  • 10 April, between 4pm and 7pm at Best Western Plough and Harrow Hotel, 135 Hagley Road
  • 11 April, between 10am and 3pm at WMCA Exhibition Bus, Broad Street, Birmingham

Iron Lane

Iron Lane junction improvement works began in March and are expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. The scheme will widen Stechford Lane and Station Road, from the Burney Lane roundabout to the junction with Albert Road, and replace the existing gyratory along Flaxley Road and Iron Lane with two new roundabouts.

You can find out more about these works at a drop in 'Meet the Contractor Event':

  • 16 April, between 2pm and 7pm at Christ Church Burney Lane, Birmingham

Selly Oak New Road

The final section of the Selly Oak New Road project, which consists of highways improvements to the Selly Oak Triangle (Bristol Road, Harborne Lane and Chapel Lane), is due to commence on 15 April. Temporary traffic signals, narrow lanes and lane closures during off-peak periods will be required. Footpaths around the former Sainsbury’s store will be closed. These works are expected to be completed in summer 2020.

Brum breathes

Birmingham City Council’s plan for a Clean Air Zone to help tackle the problem of air pollution in the city has received Government approval.

As part of the Clean Air Zone a number of transport improvements, including bus priority measures, have been designed. Have your say on these proposals by completing the short survey before 7 May.

You can also find out more and have your say at the following drop in sessions:

  • 11 April, between 4pm and 7pm at the Council House, Birmingham
  • 16 April, between 4pm and 7pm at the Council House, Birmingham

Find out more about Birmingham's journey to cleaner air.

Trains to Euston

London Euston will be closed with no services to or from the station from 19 to 22 April (Easter weekend), and 4 to 6 May 2019 (May Day Bank Holiday weekend). Please plan ahead for travel.

Events

30 April – STARSfor Effective Travel Planning Conference

May - National Walking Month

22 May - West Midlands Cycling summit (full)

8 to 16 June - Bike Week

9 June - HSBC UK Let's Ride Birmingham

20 June - Clean Air Day

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

Article posted 9 April 2019

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