Call For Feedback On Cycle Improvements
Proposals to improve cycling conditions on main roads are being revealed on Monday 7 July at the start of a six-week consultation period. The proposals are part of the 20-year Birmingham Cycle Revolution initiative to make Birmingham greener, safer, healthier and less congested.
The first highways routes being consulted on are in the south, west and north-west areas of the city, focusing on the roads around the Alcester Road, Bristol Street, Harborne Road and Soho Road corridors, within a 20-minute cycling time of the city centre.
The proposals involve significant improvements to highways, to create much better facilities for cyclists, with new cycle lanes, junction improvements and cycle crossing areas introduced. In addition to changes to main roads to provide fast, direct cycle routes in and out of the city centre, a number of quieter parallel routes will also be created to provide cyclists with alternative route options away from the busier main roads. These will complement the off-road cycle improvements along the canal towpaths and through the parks.
The changes could have an impact on parking restrictions with the potential loss of some existing on-street car parking to provide safer cycling facilities. There are also new junction layouts being considered to give priority to cyclists, including banning of some turning movements, for example, right turns.
Further consultations will be taking place in relation to cycle route improvements in other parts of the city later in the year.
As Councillor Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and the Economy at Birmingham City Council, explained: “Work has already started on improving canal towpaths and creating green routes, and the highway activity will integrate with these to form a comprehensive network of cycle routes. Making Birmingham a safer place so more cyclists are encouraged to use their bike for work, education and leisure is a significant challenge. However, we have a team of transport experts on board, who have worked hard to find appropriate solutions, and it is now time to share their thoughts and gain valuable feedback from the people of Birmingham. “
Detailed information on local plans can be viewed on the dedicated Birmingham Cycle Revolution web page at www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcrconsultation
Notes:
On main roads, fast, direct cycle routes will be provided with priority over side roads to allow cyclists to travel more safely. They will include marked cycle lanes on carriageways, shared pavements for pedestrians and cyclists, bus lane improvements and changes to junctions to make them safer for cyclists. There are planned measures to reduce vehicle speeds in some areas.
Parallel routes will mainly be identified by signing and road markings to give more priority to cyclists and to reduce traffic speeds. In places they might also include marked cycle lanes or shared pavements for pedestrians and cyclists, junction improvements, road crossings that can be used by cyclists and pedestrians on main roads and traffic calming measures
All the plans will be available to view online (www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcr) and in local public buildings from Monday 7 July. The plans are being shown at a number of consultation events where local businesses and residents can discuss the proposals with members of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution Team. Feedback forms can be completed online or at the exhibitions.
The exhibitions are being promoted widely to local residents and businesses by a door-to-door leaflet campaign.
For reference the consultation events take place as follows:
? Sainsbury's King Heath, 38-54 Alcester Road South, B14 7PT, Thursday 17 July,
? 3-7pm
? Handsworth Leisure Centre, Holly Road, B20 2BY, Saturday 19 July, 11am-4pm
? Jewellery Quarter Conference Centre, 10 Vyse Street, B18 6LT, Monday 21 July
? ,3-7pm
? Co-op Moseley, 154/158 Alcester Road, Thursday 24 July ,3-7pm
? Waitrose Harborne, 210 High Street, B17 9PP, Saturday 26 July,11am-4pm
? Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, B15 3TR, Tuesday 29 July,3-7pm
? MAC, Cannon Hill Park, B12 9QH, Wednesday 30 July, 3-7pm
? Halfords Selly Oak, Unit 4 Chapel Lane, B29 6SJ, Saturday 2 August, 11am-4pm
? Soho community Centre, Chapel Street, B21 0PA, Monday 4 August , 3-7pm.
Consultation packs and feedback forms will also be available from 7th July to 15th August 2014 at:
? Balsall Heath Library, Moseley Road, B12 9BX
? Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, B15 3TR
? Harborne Library, Harborne High Street, B17 9QG
? Kings Heath Library, Kings Heath High Street, B14 7SW
? Martineau Gardens' Visitors Room , 27 Priory Rd, B5 7UG
? Selly Oak Library, 669 Bristol Rd, B29 6AE
Ends
For further details please contact:
Sarah Kirby
Birmingham City Council
Tel: 0121 303 3885
Julia Willoughby
Willoughby Public Relations
Tel: 0121 456 3004
admin@birminghamnewsroom.com
