Plans to install bus lanes on a busy commuter route in Birmingham have been brought forward to keep services running during a major long-term road closure.
Transport for West Midlands has accelerated proposals for the installation of dedicated bus lanes on Washwood Heath Road in the east of the city to support several bus services.
Among planned measures on other cross-city routes include the installation of bus lanes, adjustments to junctions, traffic signals, parking and bus stops, which will enable buses to bypass traffic jams.
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The cross-city bus routes are part of the region's Bus Service Improvement Plan and are funded from a £70 million allocation from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement awarded by the Department for Transport to the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Combined with a commitment to introduce additional zero-emission buses, transport chiefs hope these initiatives will both improve reliability of bus services.
As part of the high-speed rail project HS2, two road bridges across existing rail lines are being replaced and upgraded, with Aston Church Road set to close from the end of March.
Once this work is complete, Saltley Viaduct will then close to allow its replacement. Work is expected to begin early in 2024 and will be completed ahead of the Aston Church Road closure at the end of March.
Pete Bond, director of integrated transport at Transport for West Midlands, said: "This expedited installation is part of our long-term project to improve the reliability and efficiency of bus services in Birmingham, ensuring minimal disruption to passengers during the closure of Aston Church Road and Saltley Viaduct.
"Early delivery means that passengers on the 94, 95 and 14 services will enjoy the benefits of improved journeys sooner and disruption will be kept to a minimum."
Transport for West Midlands said it was also planning future improvements on cross-city routes covering Dudley and Druids Heath via the A457 and A435, Longbridge and Hamstead via A441 and B4124, Longbridge and Castle Vale via the A38, West Bromwich and Chelmsley Wood via A41 and B4128, Bartley Green and Chelmsley Wood via the B4124 and B4114.
