A number of temporary road measures are due to come into operation to ease traffic flows in central Birmingham at a time when the city is preparing to come under the national and international spotlight. Birmingham City Council’s actions are designed to support the free flow of traffic – and particularly public transport – at several key junctions close to New Street Station.
From Monday, September 7, the section of Hurst Street between Smallbrook Queensway and Thorp Street will be closed. This is the first phase of a programme to remove through traffic from Ladywell Walk with the intention of eventually creating a new public square. This measure is designed to ease pressure on the key Holloway Circus junction and remove through traffic on Hill Street and Smallbrook Queensway easing congestion. There will be no loss of existing taxi ranks on Ladywell Walk and Hurst Street.
Also from September 7, a one way system will be introduced on the northern section of Bradford Street between Barford Street and Moat Lane. This is designed to ease pressure on the junction between Moat Lane and Digbeth which is particularly important for public transport serving the city centre.
Local residents and businesses have been consulted about the measures which will continue into 2016.
September in Birmingham will bring together world class arts, entertainment and sporting events as well as mark the official opening of several key milestones in the reinvention of the city centre. These include the opening of New Street Station and Grand Central Shopping
Cllr Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for Development, Transport and the Economy, said: “These road changes are part of a package of planned measures, to help mitigate potential problems, while enabling us to take full advantage of a fantastic opportunity to promote Birmingham on the national and international stage bringing a significant boost to the city economy.”
Birmingham City Council’s continuing advice to the travelling public is to use public transport, walk or cycle whenever possible. The city centre is well served by rail, bus and metro services. More information is available at www.networkwestmidlands.com
More information about Birmingham City Council’s long term strategy to change the way goods and people move about the city is available at www.birmingham.gov.uk/connected