Better Streets Community Fund Wheelers Lane

Overview

In June 2019, the WMCA Better Streets Community Fund was launched. This £2m fund forms part of the £23m Walking and Cycling Programme (Transforming Cities Fund) being administered by Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) and aims:

• To increase community involvement in the development of local cycling and walking infrastructure
• To provide the public with a portal to submit their ideas for new or improved cycling and walking infrastructure within their community.

Communities were invited to submit ideas through an online form by the end of July 2019. Local authority and TfWM officers reviewed the project ideas and scored these against criteria of affordability, deliverability, modal share (active travel), community engagement, strategy integration and location factors (including indices of deprivation). 3 small measures scheme were selected in Birmingham, one of which is a crossing improvements project at Wheelers Lane.

The project will investigate improved crossing facilities at the roundabout junction of Wheelers Lane (A4040), Barn Lane and Hollybank Road. This is a busy junction on the city’s outer route. Children at Wheelers Lane Primary also cross Barn Lane with teaching staff to access the school allotment. There is a high demand for pedestrian crossing generated by parents and children attending nearby schools (Wheeler’s Lane Technology College, Wheeler’s Lane Primary, Swanshurst, Kings Heath Boys School, Dame Ellen Pinsent Primary) and Peepo Day Nursery. There are over 3,000 pupils attending schools within 0.5 mile of this junction.

Following improvements to the crossing point are proposed:

• Replacement of broken tactile paving to resolve the issues with the pooling of water at the kerbs making it difficult to cross, potentially also creating trip hazard.
• Increasing the deflection at the roundabout with kerbs and road markings to reduce the speed of the approaching vehicles. It is anticipated this will make it easier and safer to cross for the users with limited crossing confidence, such as children and elderly.
• Adding the bollards to protect the crossing point on Barn Lane will make it safer for the pedestrians by deterring the drivers from driving over the dropped kerb - the approaching car is also not visible from behind when crossing at this point.
• Introducing the double yellow lines as well as loading restrictions at the roundabout and at the exit from the pedestrian crossing on Wheelers Lane will minimise instances of inconsiderate parking, blocking the crossing points and improve the visibility for the users.

Further measures may also be considered on Barn Lane as part of the separate Active Travel Fund programme and these will be consulted on in due course.

Following consultation feedback, the scheme details could change. It is not always viable to consult on any future changes arising from this consultation. However, any changes made to the proposals will be posted on the website www.birminghambeheard.org.uk.

If you would specifically like to be kept advised of any changes, either by email or post, please let us know and provide your email or postal address. You can also request a paper copy of the proposals and consultation drawings by writing to us at Birmingham City Council, PO Box 16719, Birmingham B2 2GA or email at transport.projects@birmingham.gov.uk.

Why your views matter

The views and information from this consultation will help us understand whether the proposals are supported and fit for the needs of the community. This is why we encourage everybody to comment and give their views.

If you have any comments on the proposals could you please forward them by 18^th June 2021. If you have any queries with regard to the proposal, please contact the Project Manager, Natalia Haberko by email at transport.projects@birmingham.gov.uk or in writing at Birmingham City Council, PO Box 16719, Birmingham B2 2GA

What happens next

The views and information from this consultation will help us understand whether the proposals are supported and fit for the needs of the community. Therefore, we encourage everybody to comment and give their views.

If responses are largely positive, further work will be taken forward and more information will be circulated once this has been completed.

Following consultation feedback, the scheme details could change. It is not always viable to consult on any future changes arising from this consultation. However, any changes made to the proposals will be posted on the website www.birminghambeheard.org.uk.