Skip to main content

Twenty year vision for Birmingham city transport

A white paper setting out Birmingham’s 20-year vision for improving transport across the city is set to be unveiled today. Birmingham Connected aims to make the city safer and easier to travel around by reducing congestion and promoting more sustainable forms of transport. Initiatives in the plan include the completion of a US$1.9 billion public transport network within 20 years and the development of Green Travel Districts to enable people to walk, cycle or take public transport safely. A feasibilit
November 14, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
A white paper setting out Birmingham’s 20-year vision for improving transport across the city is set to be unveiled today.

Birmingham Connected aims to make the city safer and easier to travel around by reducing congestion and promoting more sustainable forms of transport.

Initiatives in the plan include the completion of a US$1.9 billion public transport network within 20 years and the development of Green Travel Districts to enable people to walk, cycle or take public transport safely. A feasibility study is to be carried out in 2015.

Plans also include developing a strategy for the long-term future and role of the A38 through the city, including consulting on options such as substantial redesign and redirecting through traffic on to either a substantially upgraded ring road or new, longer tunnels under the city. Consultation will begin in 2015.

Other initiatives include improving rail links across the city and beyond an investment package to deliver Birmingham’s local connectivity strategy for HS2 and the promotion of a Low Emissions Zone in the city centre to improve air quality and help Birmingham City Council meet carbon reduction targets.

Council leader Sir Albert Bore said: “Birmingham Connected sets a new direction for transport, not just for tomorrow but for the next 20 years.  It ushers in a new era in the way we think about moving people and goods from, into, around and through the city and region, delivering projects and infrastructure, and the ways in which we fund them.”

Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for Development, Transport and the Economy, said: “Our vision is to create a transport system, which puts the user first and delivers the connectivity that local people and businesses require.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The government has put transport at the heart of its long term economic plan, because the future of successful cities depends on efficient transport that can connect people with jobs, link communities with services and attract new investment.”

However, the 6983 Freight Transport Association (FTA) believes that the white paper leaves more questions than answers regarding freight movements.
 
Sally Gilson, FTA policy manager – Midlands said: “Whilst it is positive that the movement of goods is being viewed as a priority in the Birmingham Connected action plan and prioritising freight during off peak times is a step in the right direction, it is during the peak times that freight has issues.”
 
“FTA engaged with Birmingham City Council throughout the consultation process and will continue to offer support and advice in helping achieve efficient freight movements in and around Birmingham. I look forward to seeing further detail regarding the freight strategy.”

Related Content

  • London boroughs to get funding to help improve transport, cycling
    January 4, 2016
    Transport services and town centres across London have been given a New Year boost, as the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) confirm US$218 million in funding for the London boroughs in 2016/17. The annual borough funding is provided by TfL to help the boroughs pay for local transport projects set out in their Local Implementation Plans (LIPs). LIPs are plans that show how the boroughs will support the Mayor’s Transport Strategy in their area. For 2016/17, TfL's financial support for the boroughs’ LI
  • Asecap prepares for ‘interoperability on steroids’
    March 31, 2023
    The gathering of Europe’s toll professionals offers a chance for views to be exchanged by senior people on a number of big issues: and there’s currently an awful lot to think about, reports Geoff Hadwick
  • Two wheels good
    June 25, 2018
    As cycling becomes an increasingly popular method for commuting and recreation, what moves are afoot to keep the growing numbers of cyclists safe on ever-more-busy roads? Alan Dron puts on his helmet and pedals off to look. It would have seemed incredible just a decade ago, but cycling in London has become almost unfeasibly popular. The Transport for London (TfL) June 2017 Strategic Cycling Analysis document noted there were now 670,000 cycle trips a day in the UK capital, an increase of 130% since 2000.
  • What does 2023 have in store for ITS?
    December 30, 2022
    From VRUs to EVs, from customer experience to connected vehicles, here are some thoughts...