Birmingham Connected bulletin - 8 October 2020

Clean Air Day and Clean Air Zone update, transport scheme updates, car free school streets

Today is Clean Air Day!

Air pollution is still a major threat to the health of people in Birmingham and it's important that we all play our part in reducing emissions.

Why not take a simple step today to reduce air pollution or to learn more about it:

  • Register for the Clean Air for All webinar this evening (6:30pm), hosted by University of Birmingham, and featuring Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Waseem Zaffar.
  • Join a Clean Air Day Live online event.
  • Read about the new Hydrogen buses coming to Birmingham next spring.
  • Go for a walk or cycle in your local area; maybe try out one of Birmingham's new pop-up cycle lanes. Tell your followers about it on social media with #CleanAirDay.
  • Use the Air Pollution Calculator to work out your individual contribution to air pollution, and find out what you can do to reduce emissions and protect your health.
  • Watch and share our brand new Car Free School Streets video, featuring Cofton Primary School.

Birmingham Clean Air Zone update

The launch of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone is now set for 1 June 2021. Find out all you need to know at brumbreathes.co.uk.


Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan

We are continuing to deliver changes to make it easier and safer to walk and cycle in Birmingham.

We now have an online map showing our completed pop-up cycle routes, and our Places for People schemes are making residential streets safer and quieter.

You can now park your car at St Andrews football stadium or Selly Oak station and continue your journey on foot or by bike using the Park, Roll and Stroll scheme (visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan and click on 'Park, Roll and Stroll').

A reminder that we've made some temporary changes in the city centre:

  • Restrictions to westbound movements through A4400 St Chads Queensway, including bus gates on St Chads Queensway and Colmore Circus Queensway (access for buses, taxis and cyclists only)
  • Restrictions to north–south movements along Camden Street, Sand Pits and Parade
  • Prohibiting access to Cecil Street, Lower Tower Street and Brearley Street from New Town Row (access to New Town Row will be maintained)
  • Restrictions to east–west movements along Bristol Street
  • A bus gate will allow only buses, taxis (Hackney carriages) and cyclists to use the section of Moor Street Queensway between Moor Street station and Carrs Lane (permanent scheme)

Let us know what you think of these trial schemes via our Commonplace website.


Cycling

If you're planning a group cycling activity, Cycling UK have published helpful COVID-19 advice and guidance.

If you would like a free Dr Bike session at your workplace, run by Cycling UK, please email us.

The Active Wellbeing Society are holding Cycle Fix-It sessions every Wednesday morning outside the Share Shack in Ladywood. Take your bike for basic repairs and also learn how to fix it yourself.

Transport for West Midlands have also extended the offer of FREE cycle parking until the end of October; apply now!

And we spotted a fantastic story on the BCC about a Birmingham mum using an electric cargo bike to start her own business delivering plastic free fruit and vegetables. Well done Jas!


New rail stations

The planning application for the refurbished Perry Barr station has been submitted for approval, including visuals of the new design.

Planning permission has also been granted for the new Moseley station, meaning that all three proposed stations on the Camp Hill line – Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell – now have planning permission.


Perry Barr regeneration

As part of the Perry Barr Regeneration programme and highways improvement scheme, work is ongoing to prepare the ground for the new structure at Birchfield roundabout.

From Sunday 11 October to Friday 23 October the northbound and southbound underpass will be closed overnight, between 7pm and 6am. A diversion will be in place via Birchfield roundabout.

Please continue to plan ahead, walk or cycle for shorter trips and use public transport or alternative driving routes if you need to travel to or through Perry Barr.

Street naming competition

The council and contractor Lendlease, have launched a competition to name the six new streets in the Perry Barr Residential Scheme. The competition closes at 5pm on Friday 16 October.


School travel

Six more Birmingham primary schools have introduced Car Free School Streets, meaning the road outside the school is closed at the start and end of the school day so that children can safely walk, scoot or cycle to school. Cofton Primary have made a video about the difference it has made for them.

Big Birmingham School Travel Survey

The Big School Travel Survey is currently open to all Birmingham schools; their chance to tell us how pupils and staff travel. All schools returning their information on or before Friday 23 October will be entered into a prize draw to win a scooter pod or £150 vouchers. If your schools needs more information or help to complete the survey, contact connected@birmingham.gov.uk.


Scheme updates

Digbeth Parking

The new Digbeth parking scheme is due to go live on 2 November. Residents and workers in the area can now apply for parking permits via www.birmingham.gov.uk/parking.

HS2 in Saltley

Contractors for HS2 will begin site setup work in Saltley in late October 2020. Hoarding will be erected to protect members of the public from the construction work. During site setup residents may hear low levels of construction noise and see deliveries of materials and equipment.

Selly Oak New Road

In the next few weeks, traffic movements at the Selly Oak triangle junction of Bristol Road, Harborne Lane and Chapel Lane will be changing as the roadworks near completion. Detailed information and dates to follow in a future update.


Have your say

Emergency Active Travel Fund schemes – make comments at any time

Street naming in Perry Barr – competition closes 16 October

East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy – consultation closes 18 October

Review of the Highway Code to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders – consultation closes 27 October

Birmingham Air Quality Action Plan – consultation closes 2 November

Birmingham parks survey – survey closes 8 November

Birmingham Economic Recovery Strategy - consultation closes 16 November

Managing pavement parking – consultation closes 22 November


Dates for the diary

23 October – Closing date for Big Birmingham School Survey (email connected@birmingham.gov.uk for details)

11 November – Perry Barr regeneration workshop for schools (email connected@birmingham.gov.uk to register interest)

16 to 20 November – UK Road Safety Week: No Need to Speed.

18 November – Perry Barr regeneration workshop for businesses (email connected@birmingham.gov.uk to register interest)

Article posted on 8 October 2020.

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