Mixed views over major city route change plan

Birmingham's Hagley Road is one of the arterial routes from the city centre out to the M5 motorway and links to Worcestershire

Hundreds of people have registered their views on major plans to make huge changes to a key arterial route into the centre of Birmingham.

A public consultation is taking place on proposed changes to a section of Hagley Road, which Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) says are designed to make journeys quicker, easier and safer.

Phase one of the works, covering the Five Ways roundabout to the junction of Hagley Road and Portland Road, would include new bus lanes, a segregated cycle lane and improved traffic signals, to improve traffic flow.

The consultation ends on Sunday but has so far attracted more than 500 comments, with people giving mixed views.

Many people have left positive comments, welcoming the measures and saying they are long overdue, while critics believe the cycle lanes will not be used widely and the changes will increase congestion.

'Running across lanes of traffic'

One participant said: "I sometimes cycle on Hagley Rd from Portland road to the city centre, but with immense trepidation, especially in low light.

"I resort to cycling on the pavement in some places, so a cycle lane will be an absolute godsend."

Another said a pedestrian crossing at the junction with Plough and Harrow Road, is "absolutely essential".

"I've seen kids and parents with kids, literally running across 5 lanes of traffic to cross," they said.

"At present, it makes me less likely to use the Metro or the facilities within Edgbaston Village.

But one person, who is against the proposed changes, said the scheme would just cause "even more congestion".

'Create bigger bottleneck'

"[It will] provide a probably little used cycle lane and waste more money on crossings that are already there," they said.

"I cannot use public transport for work, as fuels and tools are not allowed on board. Again looks like some will be discriminated against.

"Traffic is already busy and I'm not sure these proposals will help that. Making a bus lane by Five ways will create a bigger bottleneck."

Another opposed to the project added: "These are more absurd vanity projects that will make things worse.

"I challenge any of you to stand in a bike lane with me if a morning and let's count how many use them."