Campaigners back major change to busy Birmingham road saying 'it'll bring high street back'

Selly Oak could see major changes to its high street as part of plans to improve bus travel across the city

Campaigners have voiced their support for several major proposed changes aimed at improving bus travel through Selly Oak, saying that the plans will 'give the area its high street back.' Selly Oak, home to thousands of students at the nearby University of Birmingham, is one of a number of areas across the city which could see changes to roads as part of The Cross City Bus project.

The project is designed to 'improve the reliability and speed of bus journeys' in the city by creating more bus lanes, bus gates and changing junctions to reduce congestion. The proposed changes - which are up for public consultation until October 27 - cover routes across the city and aim to speed up bus services and their reliability.

In Selly Oak, proposed changes could see restrictions on through-traffic along Selly Oak High Street, as well as new bus stopping areas and gates. The proposals for the area have been broadly welcomed by campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham saying they would help businesses make better use of their 'low-traffic high street.'

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Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), working with Birmingham City Council, is asking the public for their input on how to make proposed bus improvements as effective as possible. These changes are part of a wider plan to improve bus services across the city, make bus travel 'easier, safer, and more affordable.'

Among the proposed changes in Selly Oak are:

• New restrictions of through-traffic between Dale Road and North Road/Grange Road
• New eastbound and westbound bus gates between North Road and Dale Road/Tiverton Road
• Dale Road will see the introduction of two-way traffic, while North Road will become one-way, with vehicles only able to travel northbound
• The removal of 7 metres of parking on North Road, allowing larger vehicles to turn more easily off Selly Oak High Street
• The creation of additional bus stopping areas on Selly Oak High street that allow buses to stop more safely

The proposals have been broadly welcomed by community group Better Streets for Birmingham who campaign for changes to travel to improve safety and sustainability. On the proposals around Selly Oak High Street, the group said: "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."

Changes in Selly Oak form a part of the Longbridge to Sutton Coldfield route - one of three new cross-city bus routes coming to the region. Other proposed changes will see changes made to the routes between Kings Heath to Druids Heath and Hockley Circus to Holyhead Road.

Currently, 80% of public transport journeys in the West Midlands are currently made by bus. Speaking last month, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "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.

"The consultations are a chance for people to have their say in shaping the bus network. It's vital that we work together to build a network that is not just efficient but also affordable and reliable. This is the start of our journey toward a bus network that we can be proud of and makes 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.