Perry Barr updates and travel survey

Perry Barr will see unprecedented changes over the coming years, thanks to more than £500 million of investment into the area. This regeneration will deliver new homes, public transport improvements, walking and cycling routes, new community facilities and high quality public spaces.

We have launched a travel survey for anyone who travels to, from or through the Perry Barr area. We will use information from this to plan how we will keep people moving during the work to regenerate Perry Barr. The survey is open until 29 November 2019.

Transport for West Midlands have published plans for the new railway station and bus interchange in Perry Barr. Information is at www.tfwm.org.uk/perrybarr and two public drop in sessions will be held:

• Tuesday 19 November, 2pm-8pm, Doug Ellis Sports Centre, B42 2SY
• Tuesday 26 November, 10am-5pm, One Stop Shopping Centre (Mall outside Asda), B42 1AA

Final decision on the Perry Barr Highway Scheme will now be taken at a Cabinet meeting in November, following a debate in Full Council yesterday.

Christmas events and activities

Tomorrow, 7 November, the Frankfurt Christmas Market on New Street and Victoria Square and the ice rink and big wheel in Centenary Square will all be open for you to begin your festive celebrations. The best way to travel to these city centre attractions is by walking, cycling or public transport (plan your journey at www.networkwm.com).

And from early December, passenger services will begin on the Westside Metro extension, taking you all the way to Centenary Square! Please note, there is no pedestrian walkway alongside the Metro tracks. The pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Centenary Square is via Centenary Way, through the Paradise development – the diversion around the Council House has now been removed.

Future transport plans

We have been working to review and refresh the Birmingham Connected transport strategy which was published five years ago. The broad ambitions remain unchanged, to deliver a step change in the city’s transport, transforming the way people and goods move to, from and around our city, but a lot has changed in five years, and it is important that we recognise that and set out the next stages of our strategic plans.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, recently published a statement about the forthcoming Birmingham Transport Plan. Public consultation on the plan is expected to begin in December 2020.

A number of strategic documents will support the Birmingham Transport Plan. These will include a Supplementary Planning Document on Parking, with public consultation beginning after the 2019 General Election.

Industrial action affecting West Midlands Railway

The RMT Union has announced strike action on West Midlands Trains, who operate the West Midlands Railway franchise. A series of 24hr strikes are currently planned for all Saturdays from 16 November to 28 December 2019 inclusive.

West Midlands Trains advise that they have drawn up contingency plans to run a skeleton service and ask passengers to check their journey carefully before leaving home on strike days.

Birmingham Budget consultation

Subject to the necessary approvals, consultation on the Council’s 2020/21 is due to start on 18 November and run until 31 December. Read more online and join the conversation by using the hashtag #BrumBudget20.

Road Safety week

This year, Road Safety Week runs from 18-24 November 2019 with the theme ‘step up for safe streets’. Free resources to promote road safety and run events in your workplace, community or school can be downloaded from Brake’s Road Safety Week website.

Have your say

Breaking the bus free from congestion, bus lanes on Alcester Road/Moseley Road – consultation ends Friday 22 November 2019

Commonwealth Games Draft Games Strategic Transport Plan - consultation ends Friday 6 December 2019

Parking Supplementary Planning Document – consultation runs from 11 November to 23 December 2019

Perry Barr rail and bus interchange – consultation runs from 11 November 2019 to 7 December 2019

#BrumBudget20 – consultation runs from 18 November 2019 to 31 December 2019

Dates for the diary

7 November - Frankfurt Market and Ice Rink open

13 November – Roadstars teacher training session (email us to book a place)

18-24 November – Road Safety Week

29 November – Young Active Travel Trust application deadline

23 December – Frankfurt Christmas market closes

12 January – Ice Rink and Big Wheel close

29 January 2020 – Clean Air Cops teacher training session (email us to book a place)

11 February 2020 - Roadstars teacher training session (email us to book a place)

Article edited on 7 November 2019.