Birmingham Cycle Revolution South East Cycle Routes

Feedback updated 11 Aug 2015

We asked

Consulting on proposals to improve the cycling facilities on routes in the south east of Birmingham

You said

your (22) 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 routes in the south east of Birmingham.

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

Major improvements are planned on a number of interconnecting routes in the south east of the city. These routes will all be upgraded to provide much better facilities for cyclists, with new cycle lanes, junction improvements and cycle crossing facilities introduced.

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.

About the 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.

Cycle Route Proposals

Route I: Small Heath to City Centre (Digbeth)

This route connects Small Heath with the city centre. In Small Heath, a footbridge facilitates access to the Ackers Adventure and links to the Cole Valley green route and the Grand Union Canal towpath.

The route is mainly on-road except for sections of shared footway to bypass the Golden Hillock Road roundabout and access Bolton Road. Footways are also used to access an upgraded shared-use crossing on Coventry Road.

Route J: Acocks Green to Greet

The route connects Acocks Green to Greet, linking with the Stratford Road Parallel Route (route K) for journeys to the city centre.

The route is on-road except for sections of shared footway on the eastern side of the Fox Hollies Road roundabout (near Lidl) and alongside Reddings Lane, on the opposite side to the primary school. A two-way cycle track is proposed for the northern side of Olton Boulevard West, between Spring Road and Tynedale Road; between Tynedale Road and Reddings Lane, the Olton Boulevard service roads provide an alternative to the main road.

Route K: Stratford Road Parallel Route

This is an existing signed route which will be upgraded to provide a better cycle link between Yardley Wood and the city centre (Eastside) via Billesley, Springfield, Greet, Sparkhill, Sparkbrook, Bordesley and Digbeth.

The route runs parallel to the Cole Valley green route between Highfield Road in Yardley Wood and Formans Road in Greet, providing several points of access to this route.

The route is mainly on-road with crossings upgraded to shared-use to provide cyclists with a safe route across busy roads such as Stratford Road, Warwick Road, Golden Hillock Road and Bordesley Middleway.

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.