# Better Streets for Birmingham
> We want streets where everyone gets home safely and where there are genuine alternatives to driving.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About us](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/about-us.md) - Better Streets for Birmingham CIC (company number: 16588392) is our formal organisation that exists to: * Promote walking, wheeling and cycling, and road safety in Birmingham and the wider region through community engagement and education * Engage with authorities to make recommendations on new sch…
- [Account management page](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/account.md)
- [Better drivers... better streets](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/better-drivers-better-streets.md) - Millions of people own cars in the UK, and many journeys require one. Driving considerately is a unique opportunity to reduce the danger, fear and anxiety experienced by those outside our vehicles. By taking this pledge, you will commit to good habits behind the wheel which will make our roads safe…
- [Birmingham 2026: Ten asks to address the road safety emergency](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/birmingham-2026-ten-asks-to-address-the-road-safety-emergency.md) - Birmingham 2026: Ten asks to address the road safety emergency This is a campaign that we ran for the Birmingham local elections which took place in May 2026. Backed by seventeen national and local organisations Better Streets for Birmingham, RoadPeace, 20's Plenty for Us, Living Streets, Action Vi…
- [Circle the City](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/circle-the-city.md) - First Friday of the month, 6pm start, meet at Hippodrome Square, city centre Instead of a place designed around the movement of cars, what if Birmingham became a city made for the movement of people?!? Circle the City offers a way to imagine if Birmingham made inclusive mobility a priority. Join us…
- [Collect data about the problems](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/collecting-data.md) - You can collect data on how many drivers: * jump red lights * park on zig zag lines * speed along a road (with a community speedwatch gun from your Councillor) We have data collection guides available online: betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/data You can measure pedestrian crossing times using our on…
- [Dear candidate, will you fix our road safety emergency?](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/dear-candidate-will-you-fix-our-road-safety-emergency.md) - Dear Candidate Congratulations on deciding to stand in the council elections. Our city continues to be in a road safety emergency. In the short campaign alone so far, we have already lost several lives and others have been seriously injured. Decisive action in the next council term has the potentia…
- [Dialling Drivers Count](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/dialling-drivers-count.md) - Using a phone behind the wheel makes you 4 times as likely to be involved in a collision, and many people have been killed or seriously injured as a direct result of distracted driving. In the UK, 22 people were killed and 652 injured in 2022 in traffic collisions where mobile phone use by the driv…
- [Thank you for becoming a regular donor](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/donor-thank-you.md)
- [Get a window poster](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/get-a-window-poster.md) - We are no longer taking online orders for posters as they will not arrive on time. You can pick up a poster free of charge from The Old Post Office in Stirchley (Wednesday and Thursday, 9am-5pm), or Pineapple House opposite Pineapple Road Station (Wednesday, 7am-12 Noon).
- [Get in touch](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/get-in-touch.md) - We are happy to: * answer questions you have about our group * provide advice for problems you are experiencing in your area * set up a petition on your behalf and help you to get press coverage * issue press statements about active travel and road safety As a team of volunteers, we do not have the…
- [Support us](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/join-us.md) - Our mission Better Streets for Birmingham wants safer streets and more transport choice for everyday trips. To do this, we need to make changes to our streets, improve enforcement, and reconsider how we move around Birmingham. We help residents to understand what changes can be made and how to ask…
- [Key documents and links](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/key-documents-and-links.md) - Birmingham Delivery Document titleDescriptionYear publishedTransportation and Highways Capital Delivery Programme 2026A biennial report of transport spend. Appendix A has spend estimates. Appendix C has explanations for each project.2026Transportation and Highways Capital Delivery Programme 2024An…
- [Report dangerous driving and parking to West Midlands Police on Operation Snap](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/op-snap.md) - You need to be able to see the full vehicle number plate in the footage. Reportable driving offences include: * close passes * not stopping at a traffic light or pedestrian crossing * dangerous driving * using a mobile phone behind the wheel * making a banned turn For red light jumping, you need to…
- [Podcast](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/podcast.md) - The Better Streets for Birmingham podcast. Episodes released fortnightly. Each episode we talk to experts, activists and those experiencing Britain's motor city from outside a car. Also available on: - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-streets-for-birmingham/id1867451510 - Spotify…
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/privacy-policy.md) - Who we are Our website address is: https://betterstreetsforbirmingham.org. Comments When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymised string created from your…
- [Set up a meeting in your local area to talk about road safety and traffic issues](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/set-up-a-meeting.md) - It’s best to do this for the ward (or two wards) you live in. This means there’s a wider group of people who can get involved and help to run the meetings. 1. Find a place like a pub, library, community centre or even online 2. Decide on a day and time 3. Create a poster and put it in local communi…
- [Sign in](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/sign-in.md)
- [Too much traffic. What's the answer?](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/too-much-traffic-whats-the-answer.md) - No-one likes traffic, whether you’re walking through clouds of exhaust fumes, risking collisions on your bike or inching your car along in ever increasing frustration. Motor vehicle usage has increased massively in the UK over the last 20 years: from 289.7 billion miles to 356.5 billion miles in 20…
- [Who owns what and how to fix things](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/transport-and-highways-who-owns-what-and-how-to-fix-things.md) - Request something new Beware promising new things to residents. Everything in transport is more expensive than you would think: tramway is £130m per mile, zebra crossings cost up to £100k, getting double yellow lines installed can cost in the region of £10k, new highway signage costs around £1,000…

## Posts
- [Marking two years of the road safety emergency](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/marking-two-years-of-the-road-safety-emergency.md) - More than 50 residents, politicians and officers turned out yesterday afternoon in Victoria Square for a moving event to mark the second anniversary of Birmingham's road safety emergency. The event happened within the context of a grim string of fatal collisions. The latest being a 68-year-old male…
- [We need to fix how Birmingham's cycle routes are mapped and signed](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/we-need-to-fix-how-birminghams-cycle-routes-are-mapped-and-signed.md) - Ever wondered where the magical road cycle symbols lead to? Or why tram stops apparently have a cycle track looping around their platform?
- [Statement: 20's plenty for Birmingham](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/statement-20s-plenty-for-birmingham.md) - 20mph means calmer, safer and easier to cross residential streets where fewer crashes happen. Crashes that do happen are less severe. This couldn’t be more important in a city where someone dies in a crash every fortnight on average while someone is seriously injured every single day. The first 20m…
- [Council publishes transport delivery update](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/council-publishes-transport-delivery-update.md) - Find out what's in, out and coming sooner for transport in Birmingham
- [Our response to the Midlands Rail Hub consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-midlands-rail-hub-consultation.md) - We are Better Streets for Birmingham CIC. We exist to: * Promote walking, wheeling and cycling, and road safety in Birmingham and the wider region through community engagement and education * Engage with authorities to make recommendations on new schemes, and the design of schemes, to improve the t…
- [Welcome to our new website!](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/welcome-to-our-new-website.md) - We've now moved our data and website content to our new Ghost platform. When you go to https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org you will now see a way to log in. Use the email address you're reading this on. You do not have a password, you will just get a verification code via email instead. Mana…
- [August 2026 Newsletter](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/august-2026-newsletter.md) - Welcome to the August edition of the Better Streets for Birmingham newsletter. We hope you have some time to re-energise this month and a chance to experience what lower traffic volumes can do for getting about in our local neighbourhoods. Our July newsletter is on the BSFB website and we will add…
- [Statement: We back Midlands Rail Hub](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/statement-we-back-midlands-rail-hub.md) - We would also stress that we think the plans can be better shaped to avoid loss of buildings, so encourage businesses and organisations to engage with the consultation on the basis that plans can still be shaped towards a better mutual outcome.
- [July 2026 Newsletter](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/july-2026-newsletter.md) - Welcome to the July edition of the Better Streets for Birmingham newsletter. It has been a while since our last one so we would like to update you on all that has happened. So, apologies for its length, we should be back to a smaller newsletter next month. 3 things to do Sign the petition demanding…
- [Our message to the new cabinet team for transport](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-message-to-the-new-cabinet-team-for-transport.md) - An email that sets out the importance of the road safety emergency, delivery of the Birmingham Transport Plan and our priorities for transport in the city.
- [BSfB – 2026 Annual Supporters Meeting Summary](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/bsfb-2026-annual-supporters-meeting-summary.md) - Co-chairs Paul Manzotti and Florence Cadge have revealed Better Streets for Birmingham’s aims for 2026-27 at the group's annual supporters meeting, held on 19th May 2026. Aim 1: Provide resources for local communities to drive change for their streets We will achieve this with: · Guides for groups…
- [Political leaders: Please appoint a cabinet member for Healthy Streets](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/political-leaders-please-appoint-a-cabinet-member-for-healthy-streets.md) - This is an open letter sent to council group leaders on 19 May 2026. Demerging the environment and transport portfolios to create a Cabinet Member for Healthy Streets Dear group leaders, We are writing as several of you are working towards an agreement to govern the city following the local electio…
- [Ep. 13 - Birmingham 2026: Manifestos reviews](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-13-birmingham-2026-manifestos-reviews.md) - In this special edition, Chair Martin Price and campagin lead Lucy Caldicott review the various party's manifesto pledges on transport ahead of the all out Birmingham City Council elections on May 7th.
- [Our statement on the failure to deliver Mayar Square](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/statement-on-mayar-square.md) - Concept images for a new pedestrian square in Highgate to remember Mayar Yahia have been released along with a statement on the paused project.
- [Ep. 12 - Grassroots activism in Tyseley](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/grassroots-activism-in-tyseley.md) - Farina Chaudri shares her community's fight for safer streets in Birmingham after tragic events, highlighting grassroots activism, challenges with local authorities, and ongoing campaigns for infrastructure improvements.
- [Ep. 11 - Going car free](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-11-going-car-free.md) - Ruth Cumming shares her journey of living a car-light life with her family in Birmingham. We explore the financial, environmental, and social benefits of reducing car dependency, along with practical tips for managing daily tasks without a car.
- [Ep. 10 - City of Cars - Birmingham's road trauma on film](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-10-city-of-cars-birminghams-road-trauma-on-film.md) - Host Kevin Carmody interviews documentary maker Sarah Chaundler. She spent 18 months following Better Streets for Birmingham and captured the lives of many people who were impacted by loss on our roads. This at times hearbreaking interview gives an upclose view of the tragedy that is happening in Bi
- [Ep. 9 - Bike Buses - Making the school run fun](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-9-bike-buses-making-the-school-run-fun.md) - Host Kevin Carmody talks with Kate from Bike Worcester and Hilary from Bike Birmingham about the most fun way to start the school day: Bike Buses. We explore the concept, the experience and the impact it can have, both on the kids riding and on wider society.
- [Ep.8 - Clean air in Birmingham with Kirsten de Vos and Florence Cadge](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-8-clean-air-in-birmingham-with-kirsten-de-vos-and-florence-cadge.md) - Kevin Carmody is in conversation with Kisten de Vos of Mums for Lungs and Florence Cadge of Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition.
- [A guide to getting stuff done in transport](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/a-guide-to-getting-stuff-done-in-transport.md) - Advice for the public and political candidates for how to achieve things with the roads and transport.
- [Ep. 7 - The Future of Railways in Birmingham with Gareth Dennis](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-7-the-future-of-railways-in-birmingham-with-gareth-dennis.md) - A conversation with Gareth Dennis of the Rail Natter podcast. We talk about capactiy, HS2, Midlands Hub and air quality in New Street.
- [Our response to plans for the Knowledge Quarter](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-plans-for-the-knowledge-quarter.md) - We have submitted this in reply to the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter Accessibility Consultation, which closes on 1 March 2026. We would like to have our response considered to be in favour of this scheme, though we have significant reservations about aspects of the proposed design that we would like…
- [Ep. 6 - Better Streets manifesto pledges - with Lucy Caldicott](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-6-better-streets-manifesto-pledges-with-lucy-caldicott.md) - Lucy Caldecott, Campaign Lead, talks about the ongoing road safety emergency in Birmingham, the challenges of implementing road harm reduction strategies, and the importance of community advocacy in holding local government accountable.
- [Ep. 5 - SUVs, the damage they cause and fairly charging them](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-5-suvs-the-damage-they-cause-and-fairly-charging-them.md) - This week Kevin Carmody talks with James Ward of the SUV Alliance, a group that is dedicated to tackling the spread of oversized vehicles in our cities.
- [Making sense of Birmingham's transport funding](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/making-sense-of-birminghams-transport-funding.md) - We look ahead to 2032 following the publication of two key reports outlining transport capital funding from 2026 to 2032.
- [Ep. 4 - 2026: The year ahead with Martin Price, Better Streets for Birmingham Chair](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-4-2026-the-year-ahead-with-martin-price-better-streets-for-birmingham-chair.md) - Martin Price, Better Streets for Birmingham Chair, talks about the future of transport and road safety in Birmingham leading up to 2026.
- [Introducing our podcast: first three episodes out now!](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/introducing-our-podcast-first-three-episodes-out-now.md) - We’re really pleased to shared our new podcast where we’ll be talking to residents, activists and experts about experiencing Britain’s motor city outside a car.
- [Ep. 3 - Pavement parking: A daily danger](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-3-pavement-parking-a-daily-danger.md) - There is an ongoing problem of pavement parking in the UK. In this episode we hear the personal experiences of Aideen Blackborough, a wheelchair user. Aideen shares the daily dangers she faces due to cars parked on pavements.
- [Ep. 2 - How Birmingham’s Transport Past Shapes Its Future](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-2-how-birminghams-transport-past-shapes-its-future.md) - Mike Ashworth explores the historical context of urban planning in Birmingham, focusing on the car-centric schemes that led to significant changes in inner city suburbs, the booming car ownership in the 1960s and the neglect of public transport in urban development.
- [Ep. 1 - Transforming Birmingham's Roads: The Vision Zero Approach](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/ep-1-transforming-birminghams-roads-the-vision-zero-approach.md) - A conversation with Jeremy Leach of Action Vision Zero about the 2025 Birmingham Road Harm Reduction Strategy.
- [Transport in Birmingham - Looking ahead to 2026](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/transport-in-birmingham-looking-ahead-to-2026.md) - As we head into 2026, our Chair looks back at Birmingham’s transport achievements in 2025 and what we can expect in a pivotal year for the city.
- [Our response to the City Centre to A457 Dudley Road consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-city-centre-to-a457-dudley-road-consultation.md) - We welcome proposals to upgrade the pop-up lane between Jewellery Quarter and City Hospital while requesting some design changes.
- [Our response to road safety and accessibility proposals for Vauxhall and Duddeston](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-vauxhall-and-duddeston-road-safety-and-accessibility-improvements-consultation.md) - We welcome the changes to improve the area by removing shortcutting through-traffic from residential streets.
- [Our response to proposals for bus priority in the city centre](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/cross-city-bus-scheme-city-centre.md) - We have submitted this response to a Transport for West Midlands consultation that closes on Sunday 2 November. You can submit a reply to the consultation and point to our response. We are in favour of improving the reliability of bus services as a means of enticing more people out of their cars an…
- [Our response to proposals for new wayfinding totems](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-proposals-for-new-wayfinding-totems.md) - We have submitted this response to a Birmingham City Council consultation that closes on Friday 28 November. You can submit a reply to the consultation and point to our response. We support the rollout of more wayfinding totems to improve the walkability of the city centre. We believe the underpinn…
- [Our response to early plans for Hagley Road](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-early-plans-for-hagley-road.md) - We welcome that Transport for West Midlands is looking to address the Hagley Road corridor. The corridor is currently hostile to walking, wheeling and cycling, and buses often suffer from congestion caused by a lack of priority. Rebalancing our city’s main corridors through road space allocation is…
- [Consultation on Cross City Bus: Longbridge - Hamstead](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/consultation-on-cross-city-bus-longbridge-hamstead.md) - We are in favour of improving the reliability of bus services as a means of enticing more people out of their cars and onto buses. We would also love to see more holistic schemes developed. We believe that the quickest and cheapest way to improve the reliability of the bus network is to build a pro…
- [Our response to the Bradford Street cycle lane consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-bradford-street-cycle-lane-consultation.md) - General points Better Streets will always approve of improvements to the city’s cycle network. We believe a high-quality cycle network is the quickest and cheapest way to significantly improve so many aspects of the city. London and Paris have shown how quickly you can change a city for the better.…
- [Public demo - One year of Birmingham's Road Safety Emergency](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/public-demo-one-year-of-birminghams-road-safety-emergency.md) - On Friday 1st August 2025, Better Streets for Birmingham is marking the first anniversary of of the council declaring a city wide Road Safety Emergency with a demonstration infront of the council office. Friday 1st August 2025 - Victoria Square, central Birmingham 5pm - Gather in Victoria Square 5.…
- [Our approach to the 2026 local elections](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-approach-to-the-2026-local-elections.md) - As an organisation, Better Streets for Birmingham CIC does not endorse candidates or parties standing for election. We cannot do this because of our CIC status. We are able to engage with candidates to help with pathfinding for casework. Send us an email about the casework. You can also sign up for…
- [Our response to the A38 cycle lane extension](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-a38-cycle-lane-extension.md) - We enthusiastically welcome the plans while identifying specific design issues.
- [Our response to proposals about the Key Route Network](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-proposals-about-the-key-route-network.md) - We support proposals to change how WMCA designates its Key Route Network to be in line with other combined authorities.
- [Help mark the first anniversary of the road safety emergency](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/help-mark-the-first-anniversary-of-the-road-safety-emergency.md) - It's approaching the first anniversary of Birmingham's declared road safety emergency and we are planning to mark this on Friday 1 August 2025. We are looking for people to share their stories of road danger. We are also looking for volunteers to help mark the anniversary - spanning from as small a…
- [Our response to the A45 Cycle Lane Phase 2 consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-a45-cycle-lane-phase-2-consultation.md) - We welcome the scheme but have suggested several ways it can be improved for usability.
- [Second multi-year closure of Kent Street cycle track](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/second-multi-year-closure-of-kent-street-cycle-track.md) - A letter sent to Birmingham City Council about a second multi-year closure of the Kent Street cycle track for construction works.
- [Urgent call to pause and redesign speed cushion local schemes](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/urgent-call-to-pause-and-redesign-speed-cushion-local-schemes.md) - Our letter to the Council asking for several schemes to be paused and redesigned as they do not effectively reduce speeding.
- [Our response to proposals for Steelhouse Square](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-proposals-for-steelhouse-square.md) - This is our group response to the proposals to remove traffic from part of Steelhouse Lane to create a square. The consultation closes on Friday 16 May 2025. If you would like to support our response, you can respond to the consultation with a link to this page. We welcome the creation of more publ…
- [Co-chairs reveal group aims for 2025-26](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/co-chairs-reveal-group-aims-for-2025-26.md) - Co-chairs Cath Palgrave and Martin Price have revealed Better Streets for Birmingham's aims for 2025-26 at the group's annual general meeting, held last night on 31 March 2025. At the meeting, members also voted in favour of applying to change the group's legal structure to a Community Interest Com…
- [Our response to bus franchising proposals](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-bus-franchising-proposals.md) - We fully support plans to franchise bus services in the West Midlands along with new bus priority measures to make buses more reliable.
- [Our response to the Moor Green Lane proposals](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-moor-green-lane-proposals.md) - This is our response to proposals to remove through-traffic from Moor Green Lane from Birmingham City Council. If you agree with our response, you can reply to say you agree with Better Streets for Birmingham’s response. The Moor Green Lane proposals are a response to proven concerns from residents…
- [Our statement on the mayor's new commissioners](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-statement-on-the-mayors-new-commissioners.md) - Cath Palgrave and Martin Price, Co-chairs of Streets for Birmingham said: “We congratulate both commissioners on their appointment. “The task they face together is huge: a stagnating number of collisions wrecking all too many lives while meaningful action continues to be lacklustre. “Today marks da…
- [Our priorities for our new commissioners](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-priorities-for-our-new-commissioners.md) - It’s a new year: new commissioners and new task forces full of experts are on the horizon. We’re almost there, eight months after the Mayor committed to replacing ex-commissioner Adam Tranter. While we’ve been awaiting new commissioners, Birmingham has declared a road safety emergency (in its 176th…
- [Our consultation response for the city centre cycling PSPO](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-for-the-city-centre-cycling-pspo.md) - This is our response to a consultation to introduce a public space protection order on cycling in parts of the city centre. If you support our comments, please . The consultation closes on 31 January 2025. Better Streets for Birmingham is a group that advocates infrastructural changes in our city t…
- [Will one more car park really solve the QE’s woes?](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/will-one-more-car-park-really-solve-the-qes-woes.md) - This is an opinion article originally printed as a letter to the editor in the 27 December 2024 edition of the Birmingham Mail. There has been an increase in focus to the parking situation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with the Hospital committing to build another car park to solve it. Will this…
- [Our consultation response for Kings Heath to Druids Heath bus priority](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-for-kings-heath-to-druids-heath-bus-priority.md) - This is our response to . If you agree with our response, you can reply to say you agree with Better Streets for Birmingham's response. Whilst we are fully behind the sentiment behind the proposed design, we have reservations around specific aspects of its implementation, which we will explore in d…
- [Our response to Moor Street Gateway proposals](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-moor-street-gateway-proposals.md) - This is our response to . If you agree with our response, you can reply to say you agree with Better Streets for Birmingham's response. The Moor Street Gateway proposals are the first step to creating a connected through-route between the A38 and A34 cycleways. In future, this will also connect wit…
- [Downgraded volunteer commissioners ‘do not reflect the scale and urgency of the challenge’](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/downgraded-volunteer-commissioners-do-not-reflect-the-scale-and-urgency-of-the-challenge.md) - Critical commissioner roles for the West Midlands are to be filled by once-a-week volunteers reporting to a volunteer task force, in what appears to be a significant and disappointing downgrade to the previous Cycling and Walking Commissioner position. The active travel role has been reduced from t…
- [Our response to the proposed A38 city centre changes](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-proposed-a38-city-centre-changes.md) - This is our response to . If you agree with our response, you can reply to say you agree with Better Streets for Birmingham's response. We enthusiastically welcome these proposals which will make vital progress towards achieving the city’s transport plan. The proposals do not prevent cars from acce…
- [Our consultation response for Hockley Circus to Holyhead Road bus priority](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-for-hockley-circus-to-holyhead-road-bus-priority.md) - This is Better Streets for Birmingham and Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Planning Forum's joint response to . If you agree with our response, you can reply to say you agree with Better Streets for Birmingham's response. Overall feedback We support the need for a 24-hour bus lane on this route, a…
- [Our statement on the proposed ban on city centre cycling](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-statement-on-the-proposed-ban-on-city-centre-cycling.md) - Last week, the Cabinet Member for Social Justice made a decision to consult on a proposed ban of cycling in pedestrian zones in Birmingham City Centre. This would be through a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which can ban anti-social behaviour and is different from a Traffic Regulation Order (…
- [Our consultation response for Longbridge to Sutton Coldfield bus priority](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-for-longbridge-to-sutton-coldfield-bus-priority.md) - Overall feedback We welcome these proposals and advocate their full implementation. This project should have been designed and delivered with the A38 cycle lane extension. Not doing so means we have two design teams looking at the same highway layout separately, along with two rounds of constructio…
- [What can we do about Russell Road?](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/what-can-we-do-about-russell-road.md) - This article is an opinion piece written in September 2024. It explores issues raised by residents, following the Council dropping previous traffic calming proposals over value for money concerns. Since this article was posted, the Council has started to design a new set of measures to address the…
- [Our consultation response to City Centre movement measures](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-to-city-centre-movement-measures.md) - We broadly welcome the Birmingham City Centre Movement and Access Strategy proposals and support Pushbikes’ consultation response. Previously, we published an opinion piece with bold options to make the city centre more people-centred. We would like to see increased pedestrianisation and a robust c…
- [A State of Emergency: Protesting at Old Snow Hill](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/a-state-of-emergency-protesting-at-old-snow-hill.md) - Birmingham roads are more dangerous than they've ever been. Looking at the in-year statistics on reported road casualties provided by The Department for Transport (DfT), it is clear Birmingham has a spiralling road safety issue. The DfT has reported provisionally that, in 2023, there were 479 peopl…
- [Our response to local leaders' statements on road safety](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-local-leaders-statements-on-road-safety.md) - ⁠We welcome our city and regional authorities' renewed commitments to tackling the road safety emergency in response to our open letter. However, declaring that there is an emergency and therefore admitting we have a serious problem is the easy part. We’ve been here before. Last year, following ano…
- [Open letter: Our streets are in a state of emergency and we need sustained action now](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/open-letter-our-streets-are-in-a-state-of-emergency-and-we-need-sustained-action-now.md) - Following our open letter, we received a joint reply from the addressees and a separate reply from the Police and Crime Commissioner Joint reply from the Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner and Council leaders240802_Better-Streets-for-Birmingham-Open-Letter-26th-July-2024-Response.pdf879 KBdownloa…
- [Summer Stomp 2024](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/summer-stomp-2024.md) - Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are sections of streets where through traffic to a residential area is drastically reduced through permanent infrastructure, such as bollards, planters, and signage. York Road has had its LTN since 2020 and, although receiving some criticism in its initial development, ha…
- [Our response to the Active Travel Inquiry report](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-active-travel-inquiry-report.md) - Today, Birmingham City Council councillors will discuss the report of a scrutiny inquiry that looked at active travel delivery in Birmingham. We welcome the publishing of this report and back many of its broad, far-reaching recommendations. Though the fact that the inquiry took over a year to concl…
- [Northbrook Street - A Car-free space we should all be proud of.](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/northbrook-street-a-car-free-space.md) - Until 2020, Northbrook Street in Ladywood was like any other street in Birmingham: a danger zone of excessive speeds and congestion, as drivers used it to "rat-run" to other sections of the city. It was, just like many of our streets, a danger to pedestrians and residents through increased pollutio…
- [April/May Better Streets Newsletter 2024](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/april-may-better-streets-newsletter-2024.md) - Action on Wake Green/Yardley Wood Road This particular location has been identified as a hotspot for dangerous driving by local residents. It was decided at committee that the next BSfB action would take place here as part of the national Safe Streets Now campaign. The action was attended by the Po…
- [Dear Mayor: Retain the cycling and walking commissioner role](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/dear-mayor-retain-the-cycling-and-walking-commissioner-role.md) - 30 organisations and figures urge Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker to keep the Cycling and Walking Commissioner role.
- [Where do the mayoral hopefuls stand on transport and road safety?](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/where-do-the-mayoral-hopefuls-stand-on-transport-and-road-safety.md) - With less than a week to go until the West Midlands Mayor election on Thursday 2 May, we've been paying close attention to the mayoral candidates and their stances on active travel, public transport and road safety. We've also had the chance to unpick some of the manifestos with candidates. Candida…
- [Our response to the Road Harm Reduction Strategy consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-road-harm-reduction-strategy-consultation.md) - Before we set out our response, which was automatically scheduled yesterday afternoon, we learned of yet another serious collision in one of our local centres. We do not yet know how many people were seriously injured or killed. This serves as a critical reminder that while we consider long-term st…
- [Responses to our open letter against road deaths](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/responses-to-our-open-letter-against-road-deaths.md) - On Friday 26 January 2024, we sent an open letter to city and regional leaders, setting out several challenges for authorities to go faster and reduce the opportunity for further deaths on our roads. We have now received replies from all recipients, which are published on this page. Response from C…
- [Open letter: No more deaths on our roads](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/open-letter-no-more-deaths-on-our-roads.md) - All recipients have replied to our open letter - we have . Councillor John Cotton, Council Leader, Birmingham City Council Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, Birmingham City Council Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Mayoral Candidate 2024 Richard Parker,…
- [Third-party reporting (Nextbase) webinar with West Midlands Police](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/third-party-reporting-nextbase-webinar-with-west-midlands-police.md) - On 19 December 2023, we held a webinar with Sergeant Jordan Keen, who leads the Allegations of Driving Standards team within the Traffic Investigation Unit at West Midlands Police. This is our write-up of the webinar, which has been edited to make it easier to read. About the Allegations of Driving…
- [Study finds hundreds of Birmingham drivers running red lights](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/red-means-stop-study-records-hundreds-of-drivers-running-red-lights-in-birmingham.md) - In September 2023, 32 Better Streets for Birmingham members from across the city volunteered to watch 21 different junctions for drivers running red lights. They collectively volunteered for 50 sessions, totalling a huge 44 hours and 56 minutes. During these 50 sessions, we observed 576 people jump…
- [Opinion - How University of Birmingham can lead the fight for change](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-how-university-of-birmingham-can-lead-fight-for-change.md) - These existential times we live in demand that our centres of intellectual excellence lead the fight for change. I hope I've provided a series of measures that the University could either put in place or lobby the Council for. Change is possible if the will is there. I call on the University to step
- [Our response to the 30mph speed limit proposals](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-30mph-speed-limit-proposals.md) - We are strongly in favour of Birmingham City Council's proposal to reduce 25 outlier 40mph roads to 30mph. The proposed measures will lead to lower speeds on our city’s streets through a consistent city-wide maximum speed limit and ultimately save lives. We believe this is a necessary and vital ste…
- [Our submission to Birmingham City Council's Active Travel Delivery Inquiry](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-submission-to-birmingham-city-councils-active-travel-delivery-inquiry.md) - We submitted evidence to Birmingham City Council's Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee inquiry into active travel delivery. We also attended a roundtable with the committee and other stakeholders on Thursday 7 September 2023. Better Streets for Birmingham's submission to th…
- [Our response to City Leaders action against dangerous driving](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-city-leaders-action-against-dangerous-driving.md) - Better Streets For Birmingham welcomes the commitment of our city leaders to work together to tackle dangerous driving and road safety in Birmingham, after a spate of deaths and serious injuries on the city’s roads. Four people were killed, including two children, and 5 seriously injured between Ma…
- [How your councillors invested in road safety in 2022-2023](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/how-your-councillors-invested-in-road-safety-in-2022-2023.md) - In Birmingham, every councillor has a budget of £10,000 per year to make minor improvements to road safety in their ward. Councillors now also get £20,000 per year to spend on clean air measures through the Brum Breathes Fund. They have to add measures to their ward plan through a ward forum. These…
- [Our Bournville responds to Places for People Consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-bournville-responds-to-places-for-people-consultation.md) - Community group responds to the Bournville and Cotteridge Places for People Consultation. If you agree with it and want to support it, include a link to this page in your before 2 July 2023. Summary * The scheme is not a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), which was promised. A coherent area wide LTN…
- [Our response to the Bournville and Cotteridge Places for People consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-bournville-and-cotteridge-places-for-people-consultation.md) - Our consultation response to the Bournville and Totteridge Places for People Scheme. We support the aims of the scheme to make residential areas safer for pedestrians and cyclists while making them more pleasant to live in. We explain our concerns about the scheme's implementation.
- [Our three asks following the spate of horrific road violence](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-three-asks-following-the-spate-of-horrific-road-violence.md) - We are meeting with politicians and authorities over the coming weeks to make three asks. Two of West Midlands Police to change the culture of thoughtless driving and one of Birmingham City Council to provide safe alternatives.
- [Our response to West Midlands Police's joint statement](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-joint-west-midlands-police-birmingham-city-council-transport-for-west-midlands-statement.md) - On Sunday 18 June 2023, West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands published a . Better Streets for Birmingham welcomes the fact that our demonstration today on Sunday 18 June 2023 in Kings Heath, Birmingham has prompted West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Counc…
- [Response to the Leader](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/response-to-the-leader.md) - This response follows to Councillor John Cotton, Council Leader, Birmingham City Council Cc: Councillor Liz Clements, Cabinet Member for Transport, Birmingham City Council Sent by email 16 June 2023 Dear Councillor Cotton Thank you for your timely reply dated 15 June 2023. We are saddened that sinc…
- [Council Leader responds to Better Streets for Birmingham's open letter](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/council-leader-responds-to-better-streets-for-birminghams-open-letter.md) - On Thursday 15 June, Councillor John Cotton responded to our open letter calling for funded infrastructure to be brought forward to 2025, not 2027.
- [2025, not 2027: Accelerating delivery with a games mindset](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/2025-not-2027-accelerating-delivery-with-a-games-mindset.md) - Update: Since sending this letter this morning, it has been . Raising the number of recent fatalities to four - two of which were children. Councillor John Cotton, Council Leader, Birmingham City Council Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham City Council Cc: Councillor Liz Clements, C…
- [Opinion: Alternative designs for Kings Heath & Moseley LTN Phase 2](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-alternative-designs-for-kings-heath-moseley-ltn-phase-2.md) - BS4B member, Paul Manzotti, shares his alternative design for Phase 2 of the Kings Heath & Moseley LTN. Having detailed the problems with the design of Phase 2 in my previous article, I offer a better design. Design principles I will first detail the principles that have driven my thinking. This sh…
- [Opinion: Appraising the design for Kings Heath & Moseley LTN Phase 2](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-appraising-the-design-for-kings-heath-moseley-ltn-phase-2.md) - BS4B member, Paul Manzotti, shares his take on the proposed design for Phase 2 of the Kings Heath & Moseley LTN. How we got here The original Kings Heath & Moseley LTN proposal consisted of four cells. Two on either side of the High Street, with aspirations of one below Howard Road. A backlash over…
- [Opinion - A new City Centre, for a new era](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-a-new-city-centre-for-a-new-era.md) - Be Bold, Birmingham! is a series of blogs where Better Streets for Birmingham member Paul Manzotti suggests some big changes he’d like to see in the city. We need to think of our city centre in a new way. We should prioritise the needs of people, not cars. Instead of making small changes to roads,…
- [Opinion - Be Bold, Birmingham!](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/be-bold-birmingham.md) - The 2022 Commonwealth Games were fantastic; the atmosphere around the city (and region) was amazing, the sport was enjoyable, the transport network worked brilliantly. If there was one mis-step, however, it was the marketing strapline "Be Bold, Be Birmingham". Don't get me wrong, it's a great conce…
- [Thoughts on the Birmingham Transport Summit](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/thoughts-on-the-birmingham-transport-summit.md) - Better Streets for Birmingham member Paul Manzotti gives his thoughts on the Council's Birmingham Transport Summit, where they talked about how they're going to implement the Transport Plan released in 2021. Setting the scene Time for the morning-morning-after review of the #BhamTransportSummit (he…
- [Our response to the "Six Big Moves" consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-six-big-moves-consultation.md) - Dear Transport for West Midlands Our response to the WMLTP5 “six big moves” consultation Better Streets for Birmingham supports the objectives and six ‘big moves’ within the West Midlands Local Transport Plan 5 (WMLTP5). It is of existential importance that access to safe and sustainable travel is…
- [Opinion: Close the A38 tunnels](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/close-the-a38-tunnels.md) - Making the case to remove the A38 through the city centre, improving so many parts of the city.
- [Our response to the City Centre & Snow Hill public realm improvements consultation](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-response-to-the-city-centre-snow-hill-public-realm-improvements-consultation.md) - As ever with these schemes, there’s no detail as to why each design decision has been made, so the usual disclaimer applies that we’re sorry if there’s a good reason for each decision, but it’s not obvious from the design. We cannot stress enough that we wish that all design proposals contained the…
- [We are looking for new committee members](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/better-streets-for-birmingham-is-looking-for-new-committee-members.md) - BS4B campaigns for changes to our travel and planning infrastructure to improve the sustainability, efficiency and safety of our streets. By reducing Birmingham’s car dependency, we will make it a more pleasant place to work, live and play. Our committee is made up of 11 individuals who meet monthl…
- [Opinion: 6 ways to improve the Kings Heath LTN](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-6-ways-to-improve-the-scheme.md) - Following on from his opinion on the Kings Heath LTN, Better Streets for Birmingham member Paul Manzotti suggests ways to maximise success. Intra-city active travel connectivity LTNs are part of the cycling infrastructure network. They provide safe cycling environments in residential areas that do…
- [Opinion: Where we’re at with Kings Heath LTN](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/opinion-where-were-at-with-kings-heath-ltn.md) - One BS4B member, Paul Manzotti, shares his take on the initial roll out of modal filters in Kings Heath, and a vision for where we need to go next as a city to build on their success… Disclaimer I live on a road inside one of the LTN cells. However, I would advocate for LTNs even if the council had…
- [Birmingham City Council spends ten years of maintenance cash to remove A47 pop-up lane](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/birmingham-city-council-spends-ten-years-of-maintenance-cash-to-remove-a47-pop-up-lane.md) - Why we made the Freedom of Information (FOI) request It's important that the small amounts of money we receive for active travel are spent on lasting infrastructure to encourage people to cycle. We know that lack of infrastructure - or too many cars - is a leading cause for not cycling. We were tol…
- [Open Letter about the A47 pop-up cycle lane removal](https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/open-letter-about-the-a47-pop-up-cycle-lane-removal.md) - Last week, we recently attended a very enjoyable LCWIP workshop to help shape our city’s future cycling network. It was fantastic to see the future network map develop. This week, we have been extremely disappointed to learn that the A47 pop-up cycle lane has been closed and is being demolished wit…

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