New city centre traffic management system planned

A bus gate has been proposed for Sheepcote Street (generic image), between Brunswick Square and Broad Street

New traffic management measures are being considered to improve a "key public transport corridor" in central Birmingham.

The council is planning to introduce the city centre road changes, including bollards, turning restrictions, plus a new bus gate and the removal of another, across the next two years.

It said the interventions would lead to greater use of the A4540 ring road for private vehicle trips but a reduction of journeys on local roads within the city centre – a move the authority stated would improve air quality.

A south-eastbound bus gate has been proposed on Sheepcote Street, while the existing one at the northern end of the road would go.

Broad Street was "a key public transport corridor and simplifying the access arrangements in this location" would "help with more efficient movement of vehicles of all types", a consultation report said.

Public consultation has been launched on a number of possible changes, including having no right turn from Broad Street on to Sheepcote Street.

'Efficient access'

The city council said planned changes would complete a "movement and access arrangement" of a strategy it wanted to carry out, which would split the city centre into six traffic management areas.

Private vehicles would be able to enter each traffic area from the ring road only, but public transport would have direct access between different areas.

Major changes to where Birmingham motorists can exit or join the A38 have also been proposed alongside the Broad Street measures.

Previous consultation was launched over the summer on other proposed measures for the city centre, including a bus gate on both Great Charles Street Queensway and Colmore Row.

The bus gate proposed for Sheepcote Street would be between Brunswick Square and Broad Street.

Residents have until 18 November to respond to the new consultation, which can be found on the Birmingham Be Heard website.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.