December 2021

The A34 Highway Improvements scheme at Perry Barr has been on-site for 18 months, and the bulk of the work is now complete despite pressures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme has successfully overcome a range of hurdles and reached some significant milestones, such as completing the dismantling of the flyover and laying over 3,800m2 of new block paving.

As with all construction projects, a few extra challenges have had to be addressed along the way, requiring additional time to resolve.

One of the main challenges has been the complex engineering required to construct the new bridge in the middle of what is currently Birchfield Island, which has required additional time to overcome.

Overall, the scheme that is being delivered is also more significant than at the outset. The scheme now includes the Perry Barr Bus Interchange, which Birmingham City Council is constructing on behalf of Transport for West Midlands and the new bus lane and public realm works on Aldridge Road.

Combining these projects into the wider A34 Highways Improvement Scheme has many benefits. One benefit includes reducing the number of construction interfaces and dependencies between the various projects in the area, enabling better traffic management and improving the certainty of delivery for the scheme.

As a result of all these factors, the new larger A34 scheme will now complete on a phased basis across Spring 2022, in time for the area's summer festivities.

Birmingham City Council is working closely with its A34 Improvement Scheme contractor, Tarmac, to explore options for bringing forward milestone dates wherever possible.

We will continue to provide updates on this scheme as construction progresses.