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

  • August 14, 2014
    Transport boost for Cornwall and Scilly
    UK transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced a US$16.7 million package to improve sea links between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, upgrade roads on the island and carry out ports repairs. Announcing the funding, McLoughlin said: “This funding will make a huge difference to the people of Scilly and also to visitors to the island, so vital to the local economy. Good transport links and high quality infrastructure are key for the island. “These improvements will not only make it easier for
  • May 28, 2014
    Smoothing out city freight movements
    David Crawford welcomes a national first. Urban freight movements, while commercially and socially vital, are a growing logistical headache for planners and people alike. Figures from France’s Lyon Laboratory of Transport Economics indicate that goods transport in major urban areas accounts for: 20% of traffic; 35% of CO2 emissions made by all urban trips; and 50% of the diesel used; while final km delivery runs account for 20% of the total cost of the transport chain.
  • October 14, 2020
    Birmingham to open Clean Air Zone in 2021
    Hydrogen buses will also start operating in the UK city from next year
  • July 22, 2016
    EU sets emissions targets to 2030, richer countries bear the burden
    The UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) and FIA Europe have welcomed the European Commission’s package of measures, presented this week, to accelerate the transition to low carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy in Europe. The EU says the measures set clear and fair guiding principles to Member States to prepare for the future and keep Europe competitive. Responding to the announcement, the FTA said that the proposed measures are a step in the right direction to reducing freight carbon e