The Birmingham high street road changes campaigners say won't solve main 'problem'

Northfield High Street could see major road changes as part of plans to improve bus travel across the city - but campaigners fear they don't go far enough

Campaigners have said new plans to improve bus access through Northfield High Street fail to tackle the major traffic 'problem' in the area. Northfield is one of many areas across Birmingham which could see roads changed as part of the Cross City Bus project, designed to improve bus travel in the city.

The proposed changes are up for public consultation until October 27 and aim to 'improve the reliability and speed of bus journeys' in the city. To reduce congestion, more bus lanes, bus gates and some changes to junctions could be made to enable Transport for West Midlands to create a more 'dependable' bus service.

As part of the plans, Northfield High Street could see yellow box enforcement at the Bell Lane/Church Road/Bristol Road South junction - with drivers who stop in the box potentially facing fines. The proposals - which can be viewed here - have been criticised by Better Streets for Birmingham for not going far enough by tackling the issue of drivers 'not using the junction properly.'

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While the bus priority proposals between Longbridge and Sutton Coldfield have been broadly welcomed by the campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham, they argue more needs to be done to improve bus and pedestrian access on Northfield High Street. The group said: "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."

The changes in Northfield are part of the Longbridge to Sutton Coldfield route, one of three new cross-city bus routes planned for the region. Other proposed changes include routes from Kings Heath to Druids Heath and Hockley Circus to Holyhead Road.

Currently, buses account for 80% of public transport journeys in the West Midlands. Last month, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said of the Cross City bus project: "I want to make everyday travel easier and more dependable for everyone – whether it’s getting to work, school, or important appointments without the stress of delays or complicated changes."

He emphasized that the consultations are an opportunity for residents to help shape the bus network, adding, "It's vital that we work together to build a network that is not just efficient but also affordable and reliable... making sure every resident has access to affordable and dependable bus services."

You can review and comment on plans for the new cross-city routes here. Tell us what you think in the comments below.