> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Our consultation response for Longbridge to Sutton Coldfield bus priority - URL: https://www.betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/post/our-consultation-response-for-longbridge-to-sutton-coldfield-bus-priority/ - Published: 2024-10-08T18:25:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-20T07:58:24.000Z - Author: Better Streets for Birmingham - Tags: Consultation, bus, bus infrastructure, Buses, infrastructure, Transport for West Midlands, West Midlands Combined Authority, #Migrated-1785839530335, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-04 10:32 ## 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 construction work, and surely it costs more to implement. We suggest that in the future, TfWM and BCC work on corridor approaches with one authority responsible for designing and delivering everything. As this exact scenario has already played out with the A45 Bus Sprint Lane and the cycle lane projects, it is disappointing that this siloed way of working persists. During construction, please ensure that safe space is allowed for cycling, particularly between Northfield and Selly Oak where it will disrupt the existing on-road facilities. For future consultations, TfWM needs to explicitly tell a convincing story about why bus priority is necessary and how it materially improves bus journeys. In addition to bus lanes being an established transport policy and a requirement of CRSTS funding. ## Between Longbridge and Northfield This area suffers from stopping and loading on the side of the road which we do not believe would be easily enforceable with the proposals. TfWM should consider establishing this section as a red route to make enforcement easy. ## Northfield High Street Illegal loading for food couriers adjacent to the box junction is a severe issue that blocks bus stops and the highway. TfWM should consider establishing the lead-up to the junction as red routes to make this easier to enforce. The box junction is busy and more often than not is blocked by drivers not using the junction properly. Adjusting signals could help ease this problem, however ultimately the problem here is that too much traffic uses this junction and the long-term viability of this junction needs consideration. The suggested future enforcement of the box junction must be prioritised following Birmingham City Council’s Moving Traffic Enforcement pilot. The box junction also severs pedestrian movements along the high street. TfWM should consider making it a scramble crossing with crossing countdown timers to help make pedestrian movements easier and improve access to the Bell Lane bus stop. ## Northfield and Selly Oak The removal of parking outside the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital needs mitigating, as currently parking spills into residential roads and Manor Farm Park car park. This has been an issue for a long time and needs resolving. Could a residents’ parking permit scheme help here? Historically, the central reservation turns have caused problems and are dangerous. Remodelling the junction with Bournville Lane and Middle Park Road could resolve many of the issues that residents have with the junction, for example making it a traffic light controlled junction and removing the need for multiple central reservation junctions. We would also like serious consideration given to closing as many of these central reservation junctions as is possible. On the approach to Selly Oak Triangle, the sight line currently promotes drivers continuing straight ahead, rather than using the bypass. There needs to be a good amount of signage, including temporary digital signage, to tell drivers that Selly Oak High Street has no through access. Another option could be to install a short bus lane up to the traffic lights so there are two general lanes to turn left, a bus lane, and only one general lane to go straight ahead. Selly Oak Triangle’s junction phases will need to be adjusted to ensure that the bypass access is given long enough for the amount of traffic. ## Aston Webb Boulevard The traffic flow along the bypass has been complicated through Harborne Lane Island being close to capacity and becoming congested because of Selly Oak Shopping Park. This will only be made worse through the future multi-storey car park on the Health Innovation Campus which has been part-funded by WMCA. If it is not already at a level where the existing cycle facilities around the bypass will need upgrading in line with LTN 1/20 guidance, especially at width pinch points and island arms, it will no doubt quickly reach that level. ## Selly Oak High Street We fully back the idea of removing through-traffic from this road and encourage the businesses of Selly Oak to make good use of their lower-traffic high street, which has a high number of student pedestrians in the area. We are, however, keen to understand whether the project team considered placing the bus gate at the junction where the B384 and A38 meet, and what considerations guided the decision to place it in the proposed location. Through-traffic might seek to avoid the bus gate by using adjacent roads to the south of the high street. One-way streets and modal filters could be introduced to prevent this. ## Selly Oak to Priory Road The junctions of (a) Aston Webb Boulevard and the High Street, (b) Bournbrook Road and University Gates, and (c) Edgbaston Park Road will require phasing adjustments due to different traffic flows following the changes to Pritchatts Road and an increased traffic flow using the bypass. We ask that pedestrian and cycle timings be considered as part of this, as cycle phases are currently inconsistent with general traffic phases, and the cycle junction to join the central reservation from outside the University Sports & Fitness Centre leaves cyclists stranded in the middle of the road no matter which direction they travel from. ## Priory Road to Belgrave Interchange There is no benefit to allowing Northbound traffic at Priory Road junction to split into two lanes only to merge again immediately after the junction. The northbound bus lane should be extended through the junction until after the bus stop. This would also help buses to leave the bus stop next to the junction. Has consideration been given to prohibiting the southbound left-turn onto Priory Road except for buses for cricket matches, given this traffic could access Pershore Road from the Middleway or Pebble Mill Road? This would enable the bus lane to be continuous to after the junction. We welcome the modal filter on Speedwell Road, which will end rat-running that blocks both Pershore Road and Bristol Road and prevents speeding. TfWM should consider further how cyclists will join the A38 cycleway from Speedwell Road without dismounting. A further quick and cheap win here could be to implement a modal filter at the junction of Bristol Road and Sir Harrys Road (West), while also allowing contraflow cycle movements, to increase cycle safety at this junction. It is currently a dangerous junction where it is only a matter of time before a cyclist is killed or seriously injured. ## City Centre to Erdington Tyburn Road - There’s a 40mph speed limit that’s about to be reduced to 30mph under city-wide proposals, this is about to go to TRO consultation and the results need to be incorporated into these plans. There is a central reservation with parking and disabled parking near the junction with Kingsbury Road. This type of parking appears to be unique within the city and is incredibly dangerous - especially for disabled people. This scheme presents an opportunity to transform the verge into green infrastructure. ## Erdington to Sutton Coldfield We are happy with the design of these plans. We are keen to understand why the loading restriction is proposed for 10am until 4pm, Monday to Friday. Why not longer and why not at weekends? ---