Proposals

Holford Drive highway widening scheme

The Holford Drive highway widening scheme aims to make the area between Aldridge Road (A453) and Perry Barr Household Recycling Centre better and safer for all road users.

The proposed road works include:

• carriageway widening on Holford Drive at its junction with Aldridge Road (A453) to provide additional road space for left/right vehicle turning movements
• upgrading the traffic lights to include a new push-button controlled pedestrian crossing on Holford Drive
• a new right turn into Prince Albert High School’s car park
• creation of new pavement on both sides of the road

The final phase of construction work is expected to start in August 2025 with a planned completion date in April 2026.

We have appointed McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd to carry out the work. Although the work may cause some disruption to the local area, we will try to keep disruption to a minimum throughout the construction phase.

The first phase of work includes changes to the school access on Holford Drive, which will be carried out throughout August 2025.

Further phases of work will continue after the start of the autumn school term.

View the general scheme arrangement plans

Aerial view of new road layout on the A34 and Aldridge Road between (bottom) One Stop Shopping Centre and (top) new Perry Barr Residential Scheme, September 2022.

Highways

A key part of the highways improvements has involved changing the road layout through Perry Barr to provide improved walking, cycling and public transport facilities. These improvements have made the area more accessible, opening up the heart of Perry Barr so that it is easy to reach through all modes of transport.

An essential part of the plans has been the creation of surface-level crossings and new traffic signal junctions to prioritise existing buses and a new Sprint Bus rapid transit route network. The introduction of dedicated cycle routes has now made it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to reach the railway station and bus Interchange.

The works have  entailed the removal of the A34 flyover and at the 'capping' of Birchfield Island – an engineering feat in itself - to create a signalised junction with surface-level crossings on all arms. Overall, this has created a much more attractive and safe environment with more open space, making it more accessible for all to move around the area.

Sprint Bus Rapid Transit Route

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, delivers enhanced bus routes linking key residential and employment areas. New Sprint bus rapid transit routes to key locations such as Birmingham and Walsall town centres, as well as Birmingham Airport, are being introduced. These routes will provide a reliable service with limited stops and 'Sprint' bus lanes, significantly improving public transport and offering more choices for local people. Construction started in April 2021 and was completed by June 2022.

Read more about the Sprint network and bus routes

Perry Barr railway station

The development of the Perry Barr railway station and bus interchange, undertaken by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in conjunction with Birmingham City Council, has seen the transformation of an outdated 1960s station building into a modern landmark station.

Re-opened at the end of May 2022, the new station offers passengers a welcome, accessible and safe environment featuring:

• CCTV
• accessible toilets
• new waiting areas
• live travel updates
• lifts to all platforms

Read more about the Perry Barr railway station

Page last updated: 1 August 2025