Birmingham Connected bulletin - 6 August 2020
Transport Plan update, walking, cycling and public transport news, roadworks, consultations
Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan
Changes continue to happen across Birmingham to enable people to choose walking and cycling as an effective, safe way to travel and maintain social distancing.
These schemes form part of the Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan, and include:
- Measures to reduce the amount of traffic on local streets
- More space for people to walk and maintain social distancing in local centres
- 7 temporary pop-up cycle routes to make it easier and safer for people to cycle
Find out more about these schemes, share your views and make other suggestions
Big summer of cycling and walking
Cycling and walking for short journeys is a quick, easy, cheap and healthy way to get about, so keep rolling and strolling this summer!
There are many benefits from encouraging staff to walk or cycle to work and there are lots of things workplaces can do to support active travel, including:
- Create a simple Workplace Travel Plan and be rewarded for your efforts
- Apply for FREE cycle parking
- Promote Cycle September with Love to Ride West Midlands – prizes to be won!
- Run Dr Bike sessions as part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival
- Share information about the fix your bike voucher scheme
Find more ideas including free bike safety checks and inclusive cycling activities.
Changing Gear cycling and walking vision
Last week the government released more information about its vision to boost walking and cycling and launched longer-term cycling and walking plans for England.
Public transport update
Bus operators are now running a full service and trains and Metro are running with just a few less services at certain times. It is expected that all services will be operating by September.
Please remember you must wear a face covering when using public transport, unless exempt. All public transport operators are working hard to follow government guidance and measures are in place to get you where you need to go safely.
Moor Street Queensway Bus Gate consultation
The Eastside area of Birmingham city centre, including Moor Street Queensway and Digbeth High Street, will be transformed over the coming years. As part of these improvements, we are proposing to introduce a Bus Gate on a section of Moor Street Queensway which will restrict access for private motor vehicles and mean changes to loading bays and taxi ranks. Details of the Traffic Regulation Order for these changes can now be viewed on Be Heard.
Perry Barr regeneration
As part of the Perry Barr Regeneration programme and highways improvement scheme, Birchfield Roundabout is being converted into a signalised crossroads. To do this some traffic restrictions are being put in place. This includes overnight road or lane closures, diversions and from 10 August the A34 pedestrian footbridge and subway will be permanently closed.
Changes to The Highway Code
The Department for Transport has proposed amending The Highway Code to introduce a hierarchy of road users, clarify pedestrian and cyclist priority and establish safer overtaking. Find out more and share your views on the proposals.
You can find out more about what these changes could mean for pedestrians from Living Streets, the UK Charity for everyday walking. Why not check out the Living Streets ‘Walking from Home’ advice for staying active while working at home too?
Have your say
Moor Street Queensway Bus Gate - Traffic Regulation Order consultation closes 17 August
Review of The Highway Code – consultation closes 27 October
Dates for the diary
1-30 September – Cycle September with Love to Ride West Midlands
22 September – World Car Free Day
8 October – Clean Air Day 2020
Article posted on 6 August 2020.