Plans to install bus lanes in Birmingham have been accelerated in a bid for them to be completed before a major long-term road closure.
Work on bus priority infrastructure on Washwood Heath Road in the east of the city will start early in January and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) says it will be completed ahead of the Aston Church Road closure at the end of March. TfWM says the fast-tracking will mean disruption on National Express West Midland’s 14, 94 and 95 services will “kept to a minimum”.
Pete Bond, Director of Integrated Transport at TfWM, says: “This expedited installation is part of our long-term project to improve the reliability and efficiency of bus services in Birmingham, ensuring minimal disruption to passengers during the closure of Aston Church Road and Saltley Viaduct.
The improvements are part of a £70 million package of measures to create four new cross-city bus routes in Birmingham, supported by new bus lanes, changes to junctions, modifications to traffic signals, parking, and bus stops.
Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK, adds: “In partnership with TfWM, we are committed to driving improvements in bus services for our existing loyal customers and to encourage new customers to consider ditching their cars and switching to more sustainable travel choices.
“These bus priority measures, alongside our great value fares and investment in cleaner vehicles, will make bus travel even more attractive by supporting reliable and quicker journey times.
“It’s worth remembering that a double-decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road, which helps make our bus services more efficient due to reductions in congestion. This also, crucially, makes our roads safer and the air cleaner for everyone to breathe.”
Bus lanes and priority upgrades on Alcester Road have been completed. Changes to the Summer Hill section of the route between the A4540 ring road and Edward Street in Birmingham city centre are due to take place between January and March 2024.
