Birmingham Cycle Revolution A47 Parkway Cycle Routes

Feedback updated 11 Aug 2015

We asked

Consulting on proposals to improve the cycling facilities on A47 Parkway and other roads in this area of Birmingham.

You said

Your (17) responses were gratefully received and will form part of the decision making process

We did

The Cycling Consultations that took place have formed the Birmingham Bike Scheme, which went live in April. If you would like more information please email: cycling@birmingham.gov.uk

Overview

Consulting on proposals to improve the cycling facilities on A47 Parkway and other roads in this area of Birmingham.

The map below shows the A47 Parkway corridor and you can click on the rectangles to see detailed plans.

Major improvements are planned on the A47 Parkway corridor, incorporating Heartlands Parkway and Fort Parkway. Much better facilities will be provided for cyclists, including new cycle lanes, junction improvements and cycle crossing facilities.

Improvements are also taking place on roads parallel to the major route to give cyclists quieter, alternative route options. This is indicated on the map as Parallel Route G, from the City Centre (Eastside) to Stechford.

Details of specific proposals can be found by opening the plans linked in the map above. The text below tells you more general information about the sorts of changes we are proposing and a guide to cycling infrastructure (including pictures) can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

A47 Parkway Proposals

The proposals for the main roads will provide fast, direct cycle routes with priority over side roads to allow cyclists to travel more safely. This will include cycle lanes on the carriageway, shared pavements for pedestrians and cyclists, bus lanes (with cycle lanes to join up bus lanes), and short diversions to avoid complex junctions. Where there isn't enough space for cycle lanes (for example in local shopping centres) then measures will be introduced to reduce traffic speeds.

The A47 Parkway Main Corridor runs from the city centre (Eastside) to Castle Vale and provides a combination of on and off -road routes.

Parallel Routes

These are a network of quieter routes running parallel to the main corridors and providing an alternative to the busy A and B roads. They are generally suitable for less experienced cyclists and mainly use minor, residential roads and some off-road connections to provide access to local schools, health centres, parks and other community facilities.

Parallel routes will be identified mainly by directional signing and cycle markings on the road but may also include marked cycle lanes, shared pavements for pedestrians and cyclists, improvements to side road junctions, new and upgraded signalised crossings where routes cross main roads, and measures to reduce vehicle speeds (including traffic calming features) in some places. Existing white lining will be repainted where it provides a benefit to cyclists.

Parallel Route Proposals

Route G: City Centre (Eastside) to Stechford

This route connects Stechford with the city centre via Saltley, Washwood Heath and Ward End with signed connections to Duddeston railway station, Adderley Park railway station, Alum Rock and Hodge Hill.

In Stechford (near the Washwood Heath Academy) there is a link to the Cole Valley route via a new controlled crossing on Station Road.

In Saltley (near the Birmingham Wheels Adventure Park) there is a link to the Grand Union Canal from Landor Street.

The parallel route is on-road except for a section though Ward End Park and a new shared use footway along Landor Street. The service road next to Burney Lane provides cyclists an alternative to the main road.

Potential Impacts

In addition to providing significant improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, proposals for main routes could impact on properties and road users on these routes in the following ways:

Changes to parking restrictions resulting in a loss of on-street parking provision in some locations. This could mean some people park in the side roads instead of the main road;
Changes to waiting and loading restrictions resulting in a reduction in the time periods people are allowed to wait and load. New loading restrictions are only proposed in a small number of locations and generally where alternative options are available;
Road layout changes to accommodate cycle lanes, traffic calming measures and traffic lane widths that make cycling safer; and
New junction layouts to improve the safety of cyclists on the approach to and through junctions.

Proposals for parallel routes comprise mainly signs and advisory road markings but there could be some locations where the proposed changes impact on adjacent properties.