^^ sounds like the start of a new station. i remember reading something similar a few years before we found out new street would be redeveloped

Is there space for extra platforms at Snow Hill?

When the Midland Metro shifts, there will be.

odd that Labour are backing HS2.

Blahblah had previously been explaining to us how they were not going to support it.

Seems that he was allowing his party partisanship get in the way of him actually reading what the Labour policy review was about when Milliband took over.

Same old Tory/Lib Dem/Labourite - more interested in politicing than discussing reality.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/uploadedFiles/networkrailcouk/Contents/Publications/Route_Plans/Network%20Specification%202011%20London%20North%20West.pdf

To be honest with you this should be a the main terminating station for Chiltern. It's really annoying that the last train of the evening stops at Moor Street, when some people need to get the last number 9 of the night at Colmore Row.

Wouldn't it be intelligent to have a stop here for those to get on the 50 and a stop at Snow hill to go to Colmore Row to get the 9??

Sutton Coldfield homes plan hits buffers over railway line
by Neil Elkes, Birmingham MailOct 4 2011

A CHURCH plan to build homes on its car park seems set to hit the buffers over proposals to reinstate a historic railway line.

The Brethren Church, which was built on the former site of Walmley Railway Station off Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield, wants to build eight houses and six apartments on its large car park.

But transport authority Centro has announced plans to bring the Sutton Park Passenger Line, which closed in the 1965, back into use. It wants to restore the station on the site and has raised formal objection

The council’s planning committee has been recommended to refuse the housing scheme when it meets next Thursday.

The church secured permission for 14 homes in 2009, but that expires in March 2012 and the request for an extension seems set to fall flat.

In a submission to the council Centro said: “The site is the only suitable site in Walmley for a station on the Sutton Park Line. It is crucial for the council to consider how it would meet the future transport needs of Walmley if this site was not protected.”

Since the 2009 planning permission, the line has been included in Birmingham’s official planning strategy and it is thought it could be reinstated at some point in the next 15 years.

Eight residents have also written to the council outlining their objections, which include local demand for the railway line.

Planning official John Davies said: “Although proposals to re-open the Sutton Park rail line for passengers and develop a station at Walmley are not imminent, there is a strong aspiration that this will happen.”

He concludes that in the wake of changes to Birmingham’s planning strategy that a refusal is justified.

The Sutton Park Line, which is today only used by freight services, first opened in 1879.

It runs from Castle Bromwich, where it branches off the New Street and Water Orton line, through Walmley, Sutton Coldfield town centre, Sutton Park, Streetly, Aldridge to Walsall. It was closed to passengers in 1965 under Doctor Beeching’s famous railway cull.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/10/04/sutton-coldfield-homes-plan-hits-buffers-over-railway-line-97319-29531390/#ixzz1ZpvvE9fu

My fear about this is could it go the same way as the ruling with the highway in Bham.

It is earmarked for a use but surely Centro have to crack on otherwise this could be a distinct possibility.

This line would be very popular and alleviate some pressure off Chester Rd and Wylde Green stations which are used heavily by Walmley residents.

The bus route to Castle Vale will see a lot of easing off the pressure as well. The number of times the bus has gone past me because it was crammed with people off to the Vale is unbelievable. Hopefully reinstalling services will happen sooner rather than later... but we'll see.

Yeah..the chester road station car park is completely full in the week.

Anticipating going through Sutton Park on the train would so good.

Unfortunately it's another scheme that depends on the Camp Hill chords so everyone's just waiting for Network Rail to get round to giving that priority. It'll be interesting to see whether Centro will have the funds to push both the Camp Hill line and the Tamworth/Sutton Park scheme forwards at the same time once that's done.

I've been working on a transport map of Birmingham of late because I feel that it's such a basic piece of information that seems to be missing. It shows all the 15+ minutely services. It's a bit of a work in progress but constructive criticism welcome. Not meant for mobile browsers. www.tfgb.co.uk

I know this is a sign (lol) but got some news, Seems like Moor St Queensway will be closed for 4 weeks over night. The sign says City Centre Interchange, no plans yet for a new interchange are they? Maybe its just resurfacing work

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5408/imag2125.jpg

Any news on this guys?

Any news on this guys?

Didn't see anything interesting. I was there 1 hour ago.

Any news on this guys?

Only that they have drawn lines on the pavement between the two pedestrian crossings (at the top of Moor Street Queensway between the Pavilions and Moor Street Station). Nothing major yet.

This pdf document shows a bit related to the interchange and also the wider city works.

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/6113/0504/4885/Connected-city-changes_01.pdf


Moor Street Queensway - this will be available in two directions to
all classes of vehicles.

Carrs Lane - direction of flow reversed with access only for buses,
taxis, blue badge holders and access to off street areas. No loading
or parking for blue badges permitted.

High Street (Carrs Lane to Bull Street) - direction of flow reversed
– restrictions as Carrs Lane.

We saw the first info regarding change in traffic on Carrs Lane when we saw the planning app for the travelodge as it was noted in the planning document.

I don't see them doing that much work in 4 weeks though, nothing on NXWM either about bus diversions, maybe its just preperations, but once again 4 weeks?

Saw that cones had been put up in some sections on Moor Street Queensway.

Major Birmingham commuter route A45 to get red route upgrade
by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post, Oct 7 2011

One of Birmingham’s major commuter routes into the city centre is to get a £2.7 million upgrade.

The A45 Coventry Road will become the city’s fourth red route – with a tough zero-tolerance approach to illegal parking.

Council leaders agreed to press ahead with a package of improvements including road widening and better traffic light systems.

Subways at Manor House Lane and Lyndon Road will be filled in and replaced by pedestrian crossings.

Birmingham’s first red route, along the A34 Stratford Road, resulted in an angry backlash from shopkeepers who complained that a crackdown on on-street parking was turning customers away and hitting trade.

But cabinet members are confident that improved public consultation since then will iron out any problems when the changes to the A45 take place.

More than 70 residents and businesses along the Coventry Road support the red route proposals, according to a council report.

However, eight businesses were worried that a one-hour waiting period for street parking spaces will not be long enough.

There are also concerns that deliveries of goods to stores will be made more difficult by the new parking restrictions.

David Bull, the council’s assistant director for development strategy, said the red route would reduce significant delays and congestion along the A45.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2011/10/07/major-birmingham-commuter-route-a45-to-get-red-route-upgrade-65233-29553704/#ixzz1a5awPCdR

Designer of Spaghetti Junction blasts plans to increase speeds to 80 mph
by Andy Richards, Birmingham Mail, Oct 7 2011

Spaghetti Junction. Picture Mike Sharp/News Team International

A RETIRED civil engineer who helped design Spaghetti Junction has criticised plans to increase motorway speeds to 80 mph.

Roy Foot, now aged 83, played a key role in the development of the world-famous landmark which began life as the Gravelly Hill Interchange and became Europe’s largest motorway junction.

But Mr Foot, who worked for nearly four decades at London-based civil engineers Williams and Partners helping develop the M1, M6 and M5 as well as Spaghetti, says the 70 mph speed limit was “fundamental” to the design of the junction. Mr Foot, who lives in Kent and is a civil engineer of 36 years’ experience, said the radius of curves, their super-elevation, the gradients and the sight lines of motorways were all determined with a top speed of 70mph in mind.

He said the figure was not just plucked out of the air and was “fundamental to our designs”.

Mr Foot said: “You cannot drive at 70 mph around Spaghetti Junction, let alone 80 mph – 80 mph is fine along lengthy stretches of motorway where you have got long stretches of road.

“But in other places, you can’t do it and Spaghetti Junction is one of them. In general I do not think it (an increase to 80 mph) would make a hell of a lot of difference.

“Our brief was to take the motorway as close to the heart of Birmingham as we could and that is what we did. It occupies 30 acres and is a very compact junction.

“It was a three-year contract and it went six to nine months overtime because of having to do all the checks.

“My point is that motorways were designed for 70 mph in the same way that Spaghetti Junction was designed for a traffic capacity of 75,000 a day.”

Traffic figures estimate the Birmingham landmark currently takes double that capacity.

Spaghetti Junction was opened on May 24, 1972, by the then Environment Secretary Peter Walker, who described it as the “most exciting project in the history of the road system.”

Known officially as the Gravelly Hill Interchange, it was first dubbed Spaghetti Junction by Roy Smith, the municipal correspondent of the Birmingham Mail for many years.

Mr Foot explained: “One of my colleagues objected to the name because spaghetti is a formless mass which just drops on a plate. But it’s a great name – it stuck.”

It cost £10.8 million to build and required the demolition of 160 houses, a block of luxury flats, a factory, bank, pub and public toilet to make way for it.

A total of 11 years was spent in the planning and design of Spaghetti Junction and it took another four years to complete.

Mr Foot retired as managing partner from Williams and Partners, who had an office in Hagley Road, Birmingham, in 1992.

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/10/07/designer-of-spaghetti-junction-blasts-plans-to-increase-speeds-to-80-mph-97319-29553409/#ixzz1a5euIw2v

You can go v quickly down it, My friend's next door neighbour is a advanced driving instructor for the police. I go with him now and again, and we did around 120 in an BMW down there, It was late night (about 3am-best place to work when quiet)

You can go v quickly down it, My friend's next door neighbour is a advanced driving instructor for the police. I go with him now and again, and we did around 120 in an BMW down there, It was late night (about 3am-best place to work when quiet)

Yeah, but to be honest for "normal" drivers you probably couldn't do much more than 70/80mph safely, and probably 60mph depending on where you are coming off or going on.

I'm an advanced driver myself, but nowhere near police standard, he must know SJ fairly well to do that speed.

Motorways have, since about the 70s, had a 120km/h (~75mph) design speed for mainlines, though that basically means "must be able to 120km/h safely" rather than "faster than 75mph is inherently unsafe". Earlier ones may have had a 70mph design speed, but, similarly, that doesn't mean that more than 70 is unsafe, but rather that 70 is safe.

So if there's a design speed of 70mph, that doesn't mean that 80 is unsafe. Slip roads are different, and Spaghetti has some tight ones, signed with recommended speeds, while the limit remains 70 - that practice won't change with an 80mph national speed limit.

Likewise limits aren't targets, but legal limits - yesterday I was in The Broads near Norwich, and a 20mph zone ended and national speed limit (so 60mph) was the limit. As the road got worse at that point, carrying on doing 20, rather than speeding up was the sensible course of action. An 80mph limit doesn't stop people from making good judgement calls and going at a sensible speed below the limit (I know the widespread lowering of limits, nannying drivers, has undermined this skill).

And there's nothing stopping them putting 70 signs on various bits of motorway.

In other words, this piece hasn't given any legitimate argument against the 80mph, just a lot of sensible sounding, but flawed, reasoning.

Motorways have, since about the 70s, had a 120km/h (~75mph) design speed for mainlines, though that basically means "must be able to 120km/h safely" rather than "faster than 75mph is inherently unsafe". Earlier ones may have had a 70mph design speed, but, similarly, that doesn't mean that more than 70 is unsafe, but rather that 70 is safe.

So if there's a design speed of 70mph, that doesn't mean that 80 is unsafe. Slip roads are different, and Spaghetti has some tight ones, signed with recommended speeds, while the limit remains 70 - that practice won't change with an 80mph national speed limit.

Likewise limits aren't targets, but legal limits - yesterday I was in The Broads near Norwich, and a 20mph zone ended and national speed limit (so 60mph) was the limit. As the road got worse at that point, carrying on doing 20, rather than speeding up was the sensible course of action. An 80mph limit doesn't stop people from making good judgement calls and going at a sensible speed below the limit (I know the widespread lowering of limits, nannying drivers, has undermined this skill).

And there's nothing stopping them putting 70 signs on various bits of motorway.

In other words, this piece hasn't given any legitimate argument against the 80mph, just a lot of sensible sounding, but flawed, reasoning.

Precisely. You can restrict certain sections of motorway to 50/60/70mph if you wish, the Germans do it on their autobahns and they don't have an overall speed limit.

Anyhow, setting the speed on SJ to 80mph would be pointless. For most times in the day, you struggle to get to 5mph down it.

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/F3904A41-A77D-D1D4-E30BAE74CA386922/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm


Work starts on £3.9m Birmingham City Centre Interchange system
Work has begun on the £3.9 million project that will revolutionise bus travel in Birmingham city centre.



Aggregate Industries of Leicestershire has been awarded the job of improving the

road infrastructure as part of the Birmingham City Centre Interchange scheme.

This will deliver a major upgrade to bus passenger facilities in the city centre, including a major overhaul of bus routes and stops which will see the introduction of six bus interchanges around the city centre in summer 2012.

The work will pave the way for when the Midland Metro extension from Snow Hill to New Street station opens in 2015.

It has been commissioned by Centro and Birmingham City Council and will include improving crossing facilities and signage, installing cycle lanes, and improving and adding pedestrian crossings.

It also provides newly designed shelters, bus totems and other passenger facilities including easy to follow information to encourage public transport and walking journeys

The work began on October 3 and is scheduled to last until July 2012, although there will be a two month break over the Christmas and New Year period.

To minimise disruption to shoppers and businesses in the run-up to Christmas much of it will be carried out at night.

Centro chairman Cllr Angus Adams said: “These works will lay the foundations for the interchanges that will transform public transport in Birmingham city centre.

“Inevitably there may be some disruption, for which we apologise in advance, but by making the best use of the highway network we can strike a balance between priority for public and private transport and keep the city moving.”

Cllr Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration, Birmingham City Council: “The new bus interchange and reshaping of the road network around it, will form an integral part of the city's new transport infra-structure for generations to come.

“Alongside the Metro, New Street Gateway, airport extension and HS2, the interchange will revolutionise the way transport links operate in the city, making them quicker, more efficient and user friendly for the public and businesses alike."

Mike Archer, National Contracting Director for Aggregate Industries, said: “It is no secret the UK's highways are in a critical state and that investment in infrastructure is crucial in the journey to economic recovery in the UK.

“Schemes like the Birmingham City Centre Interchange Scheme are hugely important on both a regional and national level.

“The delivery of this scheme has been planned to be as efficient as it can be with overnight working and careful planning to ensure that the economic impact is minimised."

Most of the alterations will include change of direction and access arrangements for permitted vehicles.

Roads affected by the work are Moor Street Queensway, Carrs Lane, High Street, New Street, Stephenson Street and Stephenson Place, Corporation Street, Union Street, Warwick Passage, Union Passage, Lower Bull Street, Dale End, Lower Temple Street, Upper Bull Street, Temple Row, and Priory Queensway.

Changes in waiting restrictions are also proposed in Temple Street, Bennett’s Hill, Waterloo Street, Newhall Street, Dale End and Albert Street.

It is proposed in these areas to increase the number of bays for loading, taxis, blue badge parking and motorcycles to replace loss of space in other central streets.

Once this is completed it will be followed by the on-street works in 2013/14 to extend the Midland Metro from Snow Hill to New Street via Lower Bull Street and Corporation Street.

Picture caption: Mike Archer, National Contracting Director for Aggregate Industries, left, Centro Chief Executive Geoff Inskip at the controls of a digger and Cllr Jon Hunt of Birmingham City Council, chairman of the Birmingham city centre steering group.

Well that confirms it, thanks Mikey, hopefully this will sort out traffic, and the bottleneck that we call Masshouse

This pdf document shows a bit related to the interchange and also the wider city works.

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/6113/0504/4885/Connected-city-changes_01.pdf



As i posted before, it's a big document, but this shows the changes to priorities and layout for the works.

Extra trams put on for Sunday's WBA v Wolves game .

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/10/08/extra-trams-laid-on-for-big-derby-match/

Stourbridge bus station update :

http://www.centro.org.uk/newsroom/PressReleases/PressRelease16941.aspx

Here's what's going on for the City Interchange

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/1413/1825/8745/Bulletin_11-10-10.pdf

Unused railway "arm" in Digbeth.

I was walking down Fazeley St in Digbeth a few weeks ago and you walk under a disused railway "arm" that comes out of the line that goes into Moor St station.

It crosses Allcock St and Liverpool St then goes over the canal, then just ends.

This is it here

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=digbeth&hl=en&ll=52.476599,-1.880443&spn=0.004679,0.009763&safe=off&hnear=Digbeth,+Birmingham,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=6

What was this used for?

When was it discontinued?

Are there plans to do anything with it, or could it be knocked down?

Seems to serve no purpose and just "spoils" the area.

Would make a fantastic walkway/park.

What was this used for?

When was it discontinued?

Are there plans to do anything with it, or could it be knocked down?

Seems to serve no purpose and just "spoils" the area.
Duddeston viaduct was never finished being built in the 1840's. GWR at the time owned the viaducts that are used today. Duddeston viaduct was to be the Oxford line, but GWR bought out the line when the viaduct was mid-way through construction, so the viaduct was abandoned.

I think it is grade II listed, so can't knock it down. Plans were made to make it in to a park at one time.

Unused railway "arm" in Digbeth.

I was walking down Fazeley St in Digbeth a few weeks ago and you walk under a disused railway "arm" that comes out of the line that goes into Moor St station.

It crosses Allcock St and Liverpool St then goes over the canal, then just ends.

This is it here

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=digbeth&hl=en&ll=52.476599,-1.880443&spn=0.004679,0.009763&safe=off&hnear=Digbeth,+Birmingham,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=17&vpsrc=6

What was this used for?

When was it discontinued?

Are there plans to do anything with it, or could it be knocked down?

Seems to serve no purpose and just "spoils" the area.

It was never used. I can't find a reference now but I think it was built to allow the Birmingham and Oxford Railway's trains to terminate at Curzon Street. Shifting allegiances meant that they used Snow Hill (?) instead and so it was unfinished - no trains have ever run along it.

Personally I love the monolithic feeling of it and like to think of it as a hugely expensive Victorian Folly - take that, Perrott.

The current most likely plan is a walkway/sky park, but this hasn't yet got off the ground.

The current most likely plan is a walkway/sky park, but this hasn't yet got off the ground.


Very good, if it was intended. :lol:

It was never used. I can't find a reference now but I think it was built to allow the Birmingham and Oxford Railway's trains to terminate at Curzon Street. Shifting allegiances meant that they used Snow Hill (?) instead and so it was unfinished - no trains have ever run along it.

Personally I love the monolithic feeling of it and like to think of it as a hugely expensive Victorian Folly - take that, Perrott.

The current most likely plan is a walkway/sky park, but this hasn't yet got off the ground.

Yup it was trains from GWR though. They were prevented from using New Street so built it to take trains to Curzon st. Then they were prevented fro using Curzon st and so built the tunnel to their own station Snow Hill. Not sure why Moor St wasn't used

They are all out with the negativity today, when will it stop, tsk.

All the numbers relating to cost and passenger usage are guestimates, you won't know what will actually happen until it is actually built.


Think tank warns that HS2 will be expensive failure

Oct 27 2011


High speed rail will cost the nation £50 billion and add to the Treasury’s massive debts when interest payments are already sky high, an influential think tank was warned.

In a scathing report titled High Speed Fail, free-market think thank the Adam Smith Institute has slammed plans for a new high speed rail line with Birmingham at its heart.

The eventual cost of the line, which could ultimately extend to Scotland, will be £50 billion, the institute says.

Although the first phase of the 225mph service, known as High Speed Two or HS2, will link London and Birmingham, Ministers plan to extend it to Manchester and Leeds, and eventually to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Department for Transport will have to pay for the line by raising money on the debt markets, according to the Institute.

It warned: “This will put Department for Transport’s budget under strain, meaning there is less money available for investment elsewhere on the UK railway network.”

And the report stated: “At a macro-economic level, HS2 is being planned as the UK’s net interest payments are soaring; they are expected to exceed £66 billion in 2015-16, shortly before construction of Phase 1 of the HS2 project is about to start in earnest.”

It concluded: “Yes, HS2 may create a substantial number of construction jobs and yes, it may narrow, to a limited extent, the very wide North/South divide – but it is a very expensive way of doing so.”

The report also warned that predictions for passenger numbers were unreliable.

The Institute said: “Over-forecasting of passenger numbers has plagued previous rail projects in the UK.

‘‘London and Continental Railways forecast passenger numbers for Eurostar for 2004 as being 21.4 million. In reality, passenger numbers were a third of this figure.

“Predictions of passenger numbers and demand for High Speed 2 may also be overambitious. This would have huge repercussions for HS2’s profitability.”

A DfT spokesperson said: “Long distance rail travel has doubled in the past 15 years and today some of our key rail arteries are almost full.

‘‘Without the extra capacity that HS2 can provide passengers will soon face the very real prospect of regularly not being able to get onto trains, or if they can, always having to stand.

“HS2 would deliver over £2 in benefits for every £1 spent on it and has the potential to transform the economic map of our country, create jobs, drive regeneration and deliver the additional rail capacity we so badly need.

“The Government is currently considering responses to the recent consultation and expects to announce a decision towards the end of the year.”

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-transport-news/2011/10/27/think-tank-warns-that-hs2-will-be-expensive-failure-65233-29668652/#ixzz1bzz1Fngx

Which could ultimately lead to scotland...

Yes thats only an extra £18bn.

Phase 1 costs £32bn, so Phase 2 is about half of Phase 1. Not a lot of money when you think about the sums of money labour wasted. or even the money the gov get now. That money would make v little difference in the NHS or the army. We put sh*t loads of money already into the army with weaponry, medical help etc and they are not satisified with that. We have land rovers, most armies dont have as advanced technology. MAKE DO. We have spent over £6bn funding the army over the past 10 years for certain projects, and what have they done with it? 2 monster warships (or whatever they were) with no planes to sit on them. Decommissioned jumpjets-why? thoroughly improved medical procedures antidotes etc, and spent the rest on 3 wars.

As for the NHS, cut back on the silly needless things like wigs for people with cancer.-I'm sorry if I cause any offense, but go and buy a bloody wig in the pallasades, they are £10 there, but at the NHS (good hope is what i can compare against) it costs them over £80. And think how many people lose their hair and want a wig-loads! Certain prescriptions could be made that people would have to pay for (say over a certain price). There are plenty of little cutbacks that could be made into these organisations, it's just these naeirdowells that complain as if they don't get enough!

Be bloody grateful that we have free health services!-most countries don't so don't complain that ours is underfunded and poor.

Other things need money spent on them, such as the infrastructure of Britain, not just London-don't get me started on that.

I'm sorry but stupid comments like the one made above by the people at the thinktank really annoy me.

You would have thought, being at the think tank, they would THINK about things.

I'm sorry for the lack of punctuation and grammar in that, I'm typing on my phone.

I'm pretty certain that £32 billion is for both phase 1 and 2.

Unused railway "arm" in Digbeth.

I was walking down Fazeley St in Digbeth a few weeks ago and you walk under a disused railway "arm" that comes out of the line that goes into Moor St station.

It crosses Allcock St and Liverpool St then goes over the canal, then just ends.


Haven't you been round there before?

I took these in Sept 2010

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5029248903_83efb97008.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029248903/)
Unused railway viaduct from Liverpool Street, Digbeth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029248903/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5029241821_5c6f1928ec.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029241821/)
Unused railway viaduct from Liverpool Street, Digbeth - Public toilets at the corner of Great Barr Street / Liverpool Street - Nationwide billboard (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029241821/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5029006985_b856f9e331.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029006985/)
Grand Union Canal from Great Barr Street, Digbeth - unused railway viaduct - Duddeston Viaduct (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/5029006985/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

From Bill Dargue (http://billdargue.jimdo.com/placenames-gazetteer-a-to-y/places-d/deritend/)


The Bordesley Viaduct is then joined by the Duddeston Viaduct which was built in 1846 to link the Oxford and London lines with the new station being built at New Street. However, when the Great Western Railway bought the Oxford line in 1848 and Snow Hill Station was opened, access to New Street was no longer needed and work on the almost completed Duddeston Viaduct was abandoned. Only a small part of the line near Bordesley Station was ever used and that as cattle sidings which still remain high above Upper Trinity Street. Some arches over roads have been demolished but most remains. The unfinished end of the viaduct can be seen in Montague Street.

A pensioner has an idea for a new type of canal lock, he would like to be installed at Camp Hill.


Pensioner's trail-blazing canal scheme targets Birmngham

BIRMINGHAM pensioner Terry Fogarty’s ten-year fight to speed up the city’s canals with a trail-blazing diagonal lock scheme is to be showcased at a special exhibition for waterway enthusiasts.

Terry, aged 75, is to host a ‘Diagonal Lock Roadshow’ at Knowle Village Hall on Saturday, to be opened by Environment Secretary and Meriden MP Caroline Spelman.

The Cabinet Minister has already praised the lock idea – mooted for Camp Hill in Birmingham – as a “really visionary concept which could revolutionise canal traffic” while the scheme has also won key backing from British Waterways.

The event aims to educate the public about the scheme, and help to generate potential interest from private investors and local and national government.

Terry, from Acocks Green, said: “The day will enable people to view a model of the diagonal lock and the model for Camp Hill.

“I know that times are tough economically but it’s vital that somebody takes this on board. The Government says it is looking for innovation and investment.

“From an environmental and economic point of view, the benefits could be staggering, especially when concerning the Camp Hill location in Birmingham. In my opinion, the site is key to the problems which are holding Birmingham back from assuming its rightful place in the worldwide list of places to be seen.”

British Waterways engineering chief George Ballinger, who has also backed Terry’s project, added: “The diagonal lock could help free up space for improvements to roads and developments in the area, as well as providing the waterways with another iconic structure.

“British Waterways are fully supportive of the initiative and will assist in any other way we can to help further the ambition to create such an iconic structure on the waterway network.”

The lock scheme works on the principle of a sloping tube, cutting out time spent by canal users negotiating flights of locks.

Saturday’s exhibition takes place from 1.30pm until 5.30pm at Knowle Village Hall.

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/solihull-news/2011/10/27/pensioner-s-trail-blazing-canal-scheme-targets-birmngham-97319-29668457/#ixzz1c0qdryAZ

sorry if this has already been posted, thought it was worth a mention
Cross-city line passengers in West Midlands to benefit from improvements
BY A. SAMUEL · OCTOBER 27, 2011 · PROJECTS, RAIL NEWS, STATIONS
http://www.rail.co/wp-content/uploads/SellyOakNetworkRail.jpg
An artist's impression of the new lifts at Selly Oak station. Photo: Network Rail.
Passengers using the cross-city line in the West Midlands are to benefit from improvements at Northfield, Selly Oak and Sutton Coldfield stations as step free access is introduced for the first time.

Network Rail is carrying out work at Northfield and Selly Oak to make them more accessible, providing a step-free route between the entrance and platforms. Work will start at the beginning of November with the installation of new lifts.

At Sutton Coldfield, the final phase of improvements is underway and due to be finished by early November. Improvements will include new lifts, a refurbished footbridge and bridge renewal.

Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, said:

“The cross city line is one of the busiest commuter routes in the West Midlands and the improvements we’re delivering at these stations are an important step in our plan to make rail travel easier and more accessible for all passengers.”

The completion of work at Sutton Coldfield will be marked in December with a visit to the station from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development.

The funding for the £5m project has been provided by the government’s Access for All programme, which aims to provide better access at busier stations.

Alex Hynes, commercial director at London Midland said;

“We are pleased to be working with Network Rail to improve accessibility on the cross city route. Installing step-free access at these stations is a key part of our commitment to improving facilities for all of our customers.”

Cllr Tom Ansell, lead member for Rail and Metro at Centro, the region’s transport authority, said:

“Northfield and Selly Oak are two of our busiest suburban stops, thanks in part to the hundreds of free park and ride spaces Centro provides at the two stations.

“This further investment to improve the accessibility of those stations and at Sutton Coldfield will make it easier for anyone to go by train and that’s vitally important with demand for rail travel now running at its highest level in more than 70 years.”

Once work is complete, the majority of cross-city line stations will be step free making journeys easier for disabled passengers, parents with pushchairs and those with heavy luggage.

http://www.rail.co/2011/10/27/cross-city-line-passengers-in-west-midlands-to-benefit-from-improvements/

HS2 thread closed so I'm posting it on here, looks like potentially good news for BHX:

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/239246-labour-to-propose-alternative-route-to-hs2.html?news_section=19009

Labour to propose alternative route to HS2
31st October 2011

inShare.Share:

By Duncan Tift - Deputy Editor, West Midlands

THE Labour Party is today expected to unveil an alternative route for the high speed rail link between Birmingham and London.

Reports suggest Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle will call for the controversial route through the Chilterns to be scrapped in favour of a line running from Heathrow Airport – rather than Euston - to Birmingham and skirting the M40 corridor.

The proposal is unlikely to win support from business leaders in the West Midlands as it will negate the purpose of the route in the first place, namely a high speed link between Birmingham and the capital city.

The preferred route would also enhance the prospects for Birmingham Airport to utilise spare capacity to free up some of the congested airspace around Heathrow and the south east.

Ms Eagle is expected to propose the alternative route during a speech to the Airport Operators Association.

The opposition party is also expected to say it no longer supports plans for a third runway at Heathrow, claiming the environmental impact of the scheme is too great.

Wi-fi plan so laptops could be used on buses

Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/11/04/wi-fi-plan-so-laptops-could-be-used-on-buses/#ixzz1cl625aFM

Does anyone remember a few years ago that the trains on the Lichfield-Redditch line used to have TV's in them showing BBC News?

Whatever happened to those TV's? Not one of the trains I get in the week has them.

They went when they upgraded the interiors, most of the time they wasn't on only really during the work commute. Probably got took out because of vandalism to be honest

CCI update :

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/4813/2040/2481/Bulletin_11-06-10.pdf

I went on the new Class 172 London Midland trains today. Nice to travel on. Has an automated voice telling you the next stop. Also has a digital display with the next station, and up coming stations. A bit like the London Underground.

Here's one I took last month (have taken some today, not uploaded them yet)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6269302996_ae5b991036_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6269302996/)
London Midland train 172338 - Solihull Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6269302996/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

London Midland Class 172 at Moor Street Station

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6093/6315764146_ec22fc56e9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315764146/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - London Midland 172 342 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315764146/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

at Snow Hill Station

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/6315864362_b0c3e9ca25_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315864362/)
Birmingham Snow Hill Station - London Midland 172 336 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315864362/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

It's only now that I've managed to get some shots of Moor Street's reopened platforms 3 and 4

Chiltern Railways Class 168 train on Platform 4

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6315255241_685f0c2926_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315255241/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - Chiltern Railways 168 108 - Selfridges, Rotunda and Pavilions (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315255241/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

The restored Water tower

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6315768026_b0d67c9239_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315768026/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - Water tower (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315768026/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

The "new" Edwardian style building built sometime between 2003 and 2006

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6315774878_39368d0f2c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315774878/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - new Edwardian style station building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315774878/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Looks like they use conventional seating and gangway systems. I can't see why they couldn't have had CapitalStar type seating arrangements and full sized gangways. Certainly would have been a massive help for wheelchair users and they would have increased standing capacity by a huge amount.

This is the seating onboard the new Class 172's

I'm sure there is space for wheelchairs. They have an onboard toilet as well.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6315265081_4555a6af64_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315265081/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - inside the London Midland Class 172 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315265081/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6315432268_36074af2eb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315432268/)
Hall Green Station - onboard a London Midland Class 172 train (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315432268/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Compared to Chiltern's Class 168 Clubman's

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6270558646_846d05ef63_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6270558646/)
Leamington Spa Station - Chiltern train home - Quiet Zone (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6270558646/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Good case for HS2, say MPs, but it must be completed:)

by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Post Nov 8 2011

There is “a good case” for building a new high speed rail network with Birmingham at its heart - but only if it runs to Leeds and Manchester as well as London, MPs have warned.

Plans for a new £32 billion high speed line, including a major new station in Birmingham city centre and a second near Birmingham Airport, received a major boost after they were backed by an influential committee.

The Commons Transport Committee said: “We believe that there is a good case for proceeding with a high-speed rail network, principally because of the substantial improvements in capacity and connectivity that it would provide, not only for services to and from London but also between the major cities of the Midlands, the North and Scotland.”

But in a new report published today following an inquiry, the MPs criticised plans to introduce legislation to the House of Commons which only authorises plans to build a service from London to Birmingham.

The scheme, known as High Speed Two or HS2, only makes economic sense if it includes cities further north, the MPs said.

And the committee warned the scheme would only boost the economy if the Government also helped fund local transport and housing schemes.

Birmingham City Council argues that high speed rail and a new station at Curzon Street will regenerate the eastern part of Birmingham city centre, while a study from consultants KPMG claims it will boost the West Midlands economy by £1.5 billion, the equivalent of a £300 rise in average wages.

But the inquiry said: “If high-speed rail is to realise its full potential the Government’s plans for HS2 must be accompanied by complementary regional and local strategies for transport, housing, skills and

employment. Under current Government policies, the responsibility for producing such plans rests with local economic partnerships, integrated transport authorities and combinations of such bodies.

“Support—not least with funding—will be needed from the Government. We call upon the Government to recognise this as a priority.”

The findings will be seized on by both supporters and opponents of the controversial project.

Committee chair Louise Ellman said: “High speed rail is affordable: HS2 will cost around £2 billion per annum over 17 years.

"Construction of a high speed rail network should start with the line between London and the West Midlands, as this is where capacity needs are greatest. But we are concerned that under current plans high speed rail lines won’t reach Manchester and Leeds for more than 20 years.”

Ralph Smyth, senior transport campaigner for the Campaign to Protect Rural England said: "We agree with the committee on the need to proceed with HSR but to proceed with caution. The question now is how HSRl should be delivered - not if.

He went on: "It's time for those who think HS2 is either the best thing since sliced bread or simply a white elephant to stop shouting everyone else out of the debate. Punch and Judy politics will not deliver the best from HS2 for our economy, society or the environment."



Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/2011/11/08/good-case-for-hs2-say-mps-but-it-must-be-completed-65233-29737032/#ixzz1d6Y6PV2I

Birmingham City Centre buses to re-routed for Metro tram extension works

UP TO 30,000 Birmingham city centre commuters will find their route home has altered next year as bus stops are moved for work to begin on the new Metro extension.

Plans are underway to clear the busy Corporation Street of buses and bus stops to prepare for the construction of the New Street to Snow Hill tram route, beginning next summer.

And bus stops and routes in and out of the city centre are to undergo a £14 million reorganisation starting in January. Buses travelling on similar routes will be grouped into six interchanges to streamline services and reduce traffic congestion in the city centre.

The 30,000 people who commute by bus into the city centre every day are likely to find their regular bus stops moved.

The plans are part of a major package of £800 million investment in Birmingham’s transport network over the next few years to be highlighted today as Centro, the City Council and transport companies update business leaders on its Vision for Movement plans launched a year ago.

Other initiatives include the New Street Station redevelopment, Birmingham Airport runway expansion and a new Sprint rapid bus route between Five Ways and Walsall. Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip said: “The last 12 months have seen us make considerable progress towards the Vision’s goal of creating a well-connected, efficient and walkable city.”

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2011/11/09/major-revamp-of-birmingham-city-centre-bus-services-begins-next-year-97319-29745178/#ixzz1dFAgqVa0

Major progress made on Birmingham’s transport vision

http://www.rail.co/wp-content/uploads/MetroFranceCentro.jpg

This French rapid transit vehicle is similar to those proposed for Sprint, which will initially run between Five Ways and Walsall. Photo: Centro.

More than £800 million of work to transform the way people travel into and around Birmingham city centre is underway – just 12 months after the launch of a compelling transport vision.

Leading members of the city’s private and public sectors today outlined the progress achieved since they unveiled their Vision for Movement blueprint exactly one year ago to help underpin economic regeneration and cement Birmingham’s future as a vibrant, global city.

More than 100 key figures from the city’s business community attended the Vision for Movement – One Year On briefing at the Council House to hear how the last 12 months had seen several of the Vision’s high profile projects forge ahead.

These include a £65 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport, a £127 million extension of the Midland Metro tram through the heart of the city’s shopping district and the £600 million Gateway redevelopment of New Street Station.

Planning and design work is also progressing on an £11 million rapid transit system known as Sprint, running between Five Ways and Walsall.

Construction work is also set to start on two other key schemes. The first is a £14 million reorganisation of the city’s bus services which will see stops being moved from early in the New Year to allow the construction of six new passengers interchanges.

All buses will then come out of Corporation Street next summer paving the way for work on the Metro extension.

The other key scheme is a £3 million project called Birmingham Interconnect which features new direction signs and information points featuring maps and public transport details.

The project is designed to make it easier and clearer for both visitors and residents to find their way around the city to major attractions and destinations.

All of the projects have been earmarked for completion by 2015 under Vision for Movement, a collaboration between the city’s business community, through its Business Improvement Districts (BID’s), Birmingham City Council, transport authority Centro and National Express West Midlands.

Its goal is to lay the foundations for a comprehensive network of rapid transit, bus, rail, cycling and walking routes considered essential in supporting the city’s economy.

Gary Taylor, founding member of Altitude Real Estate and chairman of the Broad Street BID, said:

“The city and the region has to maximise the chance of attracting new investment and a return to growth.

“Transport is a major factor in investment decisions and a catalyst for growth. The Vision for Movement is all about ‘joined up’ thinking for getting around the city centre.

“It is vital to have simple routes and high quality travel options for moving around the city centre by walking, by car or on public transport for commuters and visitors.”

Centro Chief Executive Geoff Inskip added:

“The last 12 months have seen us make considerable progress towards the Vision’s goal of creating a well connected, efficient and walkable city.

“It has also seen Birmingham’s private and public sectors forge a close working relationship in order to find realistic and affordable transport solutions that will help underpin economic growth and the city’s prosperity in the years ahead.”

Vision for Movement also forms an important element of the wider Big City Plan, a far reaching strategy for how the heart of Birmingham should grow over the next two decades, taking into account key developments such as the proposed High Speed Rail link to London.

Cllr Mike Whitby, Leader of the City Council, said:

“Developing a modern, integrated and user friendly transport system is crucial to Birmingham’s continued development as a world-class city in which to live, work and do business.

“From the airport to Metro, New Street Gateway to the improved road network, we have clearly begun down a path of truly transformational change in how we travel within and beyond the city.”

The last 12 months have seen:

Tenders invited for the extension of the runway at Birmingham Airport with a view to starting work next year and completion by 2014. The project also includes a diversion of and transport improvements to the A45.

Massive internal construction work undertaken on the £600 million Gateway redevelopment of New Street Station.

Work is now moving externally with the installation of a new, eye-catching stainless steel facade. The redeveloped station is due for completion in 2015.

Government approval given for the extension of the Metro from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station with a £3.2 million bridge to carry trams over Great Charles Street already completed.

The extension is due for completion in 2015 – coinciding with New Street Gateway

Five Ways to Walsall agreed as the first Sprint route and costed at £11 million. A business case for the project is due for completion next month.

The start of a £14 million scheme to remove buses from Corporation Street by next summer and build a series of modern bus interchanges featuring high quality passenger infrastructure and travel information. Stops will start to move early in the New Year

The completion of concept work on the £3 million Birmingham Interconnect project which will see commonly designed direction signs and information points featuring maps and public transport details. Due to appear on-street from next Summer (2012).

Detailed design work carried out on a dedicated pedestrian route linking New Street Station, Moor Street Station and, in the longer term, the proposed High Speed Rail station in Curzon Street.

More than £25,000 of cycle storage commissioned, ready for installation at 13 city centre locations this winter. Feasibility and design work has also been carried out on a series of cycle hubs offering storage, bike hire, bike maintenance and cycle accessories.

Improvements to the pedestrian experience in Church Street in order to enhance the strategic link to the Jewellery Quarter

The briefing also heard how work was progressing on the Vision’s aim to increase carbon-free travel by creating a much better city centre for walking and cycling.

The concept of a “Walkable City” involves transforming the quality, safety and security of the pedestrian environment so that walking becomes the most enjoyable and convenient way of getting around large parts of the city centre.

Cycle routes with dedicated bike lanes and better connectivity to the canal network are also being developed to encourage cycling to and within the city centre.

http://www.rail.co/2011/11/09/major-progress-made-on-birminghams-transport-vision/

I'm really looking forward to these changes especially how Nav and Corp Streets are going to run in reverse and how Moor St is going to run when the separated roads become a 2 directional dual carriageway. Making buses operate in pods is a great idea and it seems the needless idea of sending all buses on long routes around the centre in a loop are going to end.

I'm really looking forward to these changes especially how Nav and Corp Streets are going to run in reverse and how Moor St is going to run when the separated roads become a 2 directional dual carriageway. Making buses operate in pods is a great idea and it seems the needless idea of sending all buses on long routes around the centre in a loop are going to end.

too bad they didn't think about some cross city routes hey

Alas, what are the smart card readers popping up around train stations? I just tried my concessionary pass and it bleeped red.

They went when they upgraded the interiors, most of the time they wasn't on only really during the work commute. Probably got took out because of vandalism to be honest

ahhh right, cheers.

Moor Street and Snow Hill have those gates where you have to put your ticket in to get in and out. Like London Marylebone and the Underground. Although sometimes the gates are open. Not sure why the pass doesn't work though. Not all stations on the Chiltern line have those gates though. Think Leamington Spa had them, but the gates were open so I walked straight in / out.

Activity in Tyseley:

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=new-road-network-planned-for-tyseley-regeneration-project%26method=full%26objectid=29759854%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

Pic I took on my mobile last week at Moor Street Station.

Can see the ticket barriers on the left

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6315781878_63791aa054_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315781878/)
Birmingham Moor Street Station - ticket machines (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/6315781878/) by ell brown (http://www.flickr.com/people/ell-r-brown/), on Flickr

Moor Street and Snow Hill have those gates where you have to put your ticket in to get in and out. Like London Marylebone and the Underground. Although sometimes the gates are open. Not sure why the pass doesn't work though. Not all stations on the Chiltern line have those gates though. Think Leamington Spa had them, but the gates were open so I walked straight in / out.

Yes, Solihull does not have ticket barriers.

From New Canal Street you can see how close the West Coast Main Line and Chiltern Main Line are from each other. As well as the future land nearby for HS2.

Alas, what are the smart card readers popping up around train stations? I just tried my concessionary pass and it bleeped red.

I know in Lincoln Central, and other train stations in this area, they are introducing a Smart Card to be used instead of being getting paper tickets (i'm not sure if it is for all tickets or not), so maybe it's something similar?

Moor Street and Snow Hill have those gates where you have to put your ticket in to get in and out. Like London Marylebone and the Underground. Although sometimes the gates are open. Not sure why the pass doesn't work though. Not all stations on the Chiltern line have those gates though. Think Leamington Spa had them, but the gates were open so I walked straight in / out.

Sorry did I miss something. The ticket barriers have been there for ages. I blogged on it in February 2009 when the LBC application went in for Moor Street's barriers (Oyster and barrier improvements for West Midlands (http://birminghamcentral.blogspot.com/2009/02/oyster-and-barrier-improvements-for.html) ).

I suspect when all of Chiltern's stations on the route are barriered and with some pursuasion to TFL they could link up with Oyster PAYG like for Greater London overground.

I know they've been there for two years.

Someone was asking about smart card readers and there pass not working.

I wish that the old recycled ticket machines (old red coin slot thingys) on NXWM buses can be replaced, they've been in use for 30 years or something. Doesn't really match with the new smart readers on buses installed last year. Or at least put in a modern design for them.

Rail news :

Date: 16-Nov-11
Category: News : Rail
Contact: Langford, Mark

Centro bosses bid to win fairer rail funding deal
Centro bosses are to meet with Transport Secretary Justine Greening in a bid to win a better funding deal for rail projects in the West Midlands. Centro, the region’s transport authority, is keen to discuss the level of investment for the West Midlands rail network between 2014 and 2019 proposed under the Initial Industry Plan (IIP). Chief executive Geoff Inskip told members of the Integrated Transport Authority considering its response to the IIP that he had written to MPs about the “paucity” of the plans. Dudley North MP Ian Austin raised the issue in parliament and prompted the meeting with Ms Greening. A formal date for the meeting has yet to be finalised but the controversial proposals would see the Midlands receive investment of just £57 million out of a total proposed budget of around £10 billion. The IIP has been drawn up by the Office of Rail Regulation, Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies, the Rail Freight Operators Association, and the Rail Industry Association and represents the industry’s view of funding priorities. Although not binding on the Government, it is influential when ministers decide funding. Under the proposals the lion’s share goes to London and the South East, which gets between £349.5 million and £389.4 million (40%) depending on total costs. Eight schemes identified by Centro as priorities for the five year period, known as CP5, would be extremely unlikely to get off the ground in that time. Mr Inskip said Centro believed the IIP did not adequately address the jobs and regeneration needs of the region. They also failed to link in with Government thinking on the proposed high-speed rail link between Birmingham and London. He said: “Centro is extremely disappointed that the IIP proposes little to support the continued growth in both the passenger and rail freight sectors in the West Midlands. “There should be a much wider package of infrastructure investment around the region in order to improve accessibility to both labour and goods markets, stimulating economic growth, job creation and increasing local and national productivity. “We are asking the Secretary of State to consider the IIP and tell the rail industry that they should rethink these proposals and give far more emphasis to jobs and regeneration.” The eight local rail schemes Centro wants to see completed or work begin on in CP5 are: • Re-opening of the line between Walsall and Stourbridge • The Camp Hill Chords scheme introducing services from Moor Street in Birmingham to Kings Norton and Water Orton • Electrification of the Walsall to Rugeley line • Reinstatement of a fourth platform at Snow Hill station and the Rowley Regis Turnback • Increasing the speed on lines between Walsall and Rugeley, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, Coventry and Nuneaton • Resignalling and remodelling the track in the Worcester area • Improving capacity between Birmingham and Coventry • Station enhancements at Walsall, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Solihull and Birmingham International The only regional schemes in the Midlands the IIP proposals say should go ahead are capacity enhancements at Water Orton and between Leamington and Coventry. Centro recently commissioned a study from KPMG which looks set to demonstrate that such a programme of regional rail enhancements would increase economic productivity in the West Midlands by more than £400 million. No decisions have been taken by the Government on the IIP proposals and Mr Inskip said Centro would continue to press the case for regional investment in the West Midlands.

Last updated : 16-Nov-11

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/AD33C0A9-0294-6437-5D29371C1750D77C/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm

I like the look of Smethwick Galton Bridge. Got the train today to Worcester. Yes I've seen it before, but is always nice to see all those bridges, including Galton Bridge itself. The electricfied line under the Jewellery Line. Also a canal passes underneath.

Coming back I spotted the old Smethwick platforms from an earlier abandoned station. Looks in a sorry state, even had a old waiting room on it.

Returning from Worcester on a Class 172 London Midland train, I noticed at Moor Street 150 001. Didn't that have it's farewell tour on the 12th of November? Yet it is still in service, when the rest have been withdrawn?

I'm getting used to having the 172's on the Snow Hill lines now.


I noticed those Smart Card readers at each station, didn't get a shot of one though.

M5 J4 - J2 is having improvement works, ongoing from November till Spring 2012, average speed cameras are currently being installed between the junctions, take it it will just be resurfacing and lighting works?

The Camp Hill Chords scheme introducing services from Moor Street in Birmingham to Kings Norton and Water Orton

Sorry but would this be the proposed chord that would re-introduce stations back to Moseley and Kings Heath....?

Yeah. The chord would serve trains from Kings Heath and Mosely Stations into Moor Street.

Brilliant, thanks feltip :) Personally, I think re-introducing the train station is well overdue....

Likely to take 15 years to happen though.

Some work soon to be going on in nuneaton and bham international stations and track between.

Some work soon to be going on in nuneaton and bham international stations and track between.

Birmingham International will be receiving new signage, this is being designed by a Brummie firm as we speak and looking good. There will be work to the concourse and waiting areas as well as a refit of platform zones and a removal of the fibreglass cladding :)

about bloody time.... in comparison to the work being done to update and upgrade the airport, the station is looking increasingly old and decrepid lol

I overheard that at Tamworth Station on friday night, they said some other things as well, i couldnt hear very clearly, but i think it was about the walsall rugely line.

about bloody time.... in comparison to the work being done to update and upgrade the airport, the station is looking increasingly old and decrepid lol

it's not just the signage.. As with New Street, there are serious capacity issues that need to be dealt with and the station needs to be remodelled, however, this is a very low priority until HS2 gets fully approved and ready to go. It's absolute hell during summer, during the rush hour of a working week and when you have exhibitions and and high profile concerts kicking off all at the same time... Awful place... But no less vital and important for our local economy.

Three recent updates on the connectedcity web page :

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/news/newsletters/

It seems as if we will be getting a cycle hire hub around snowhill according to the D&A statement for the Martineau Place hotel

Chancellor George Osborne gave the immediate go-ahead to a raft of new road and rail schemes today during his Autumn statement announcement.

The priority projects were confirmed alongside the updated National Infrastructure Plan which contains more than 500 schemes planned for the next decade.

http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pipelines291111.xlsx

West Midlands

M6 managed motorway scheme between Birmingham and Manchester
A45 Westbound Bridge (Solihull) – replacement bridge over the West Coast Main Line close from Birmingham Airport on the A45 strategic corridor into Birmingham
Evesham Bridge Maintenance (Evesham) – rebuilding of the main bridge into Evesham from the South
A45/46 Tollbar End improvement scheme
A45 Corridor (Damson Parkway to M42 junction 6) diversion

Is the M6 J5 - J8 hard shoulder running due to start early 2012 still?

Is the M6 J5 - J8 hard shoulder running due to start early 2012 still?

Yes it starts in April

found this about hs2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16017413 a few bits for us...

The government said any changes would be funded by savings made elsewhere on the route.

and

"If the government is looking to generate savings to pay for much needed environmental mitigation, it would be better to cut back on the proposed Birmingham Interchange station.

"This would encroach into the Green Belt next to Birmingham Airport and is currently proposed to require major road widening and a huge multi-storey car park."

Absolutely terrible planning by Centro/London Midland today. Drove to my local station (The Hawthorns - Stourbridge Line) to catch the train in to town to visit the German market. Nice swish new Class 172 turns up - only two carriages. Result already crammed train leaves loads of people unable to get on. Same on the way back at about 6pm, only worse.

I'm used to travelling on London Overground and crowded trains but at least LO trains are designed for committing. Centro commission these services and subsidise them surely they should stipulate that London Midland City should use longer trains on these routes during peak times.

This is an increasing experience in Birmingham. I'm here less and less nowadays but whenever I'm getting on the local train service its constantly overcrowded. Think CENTRO should have been insisting on London Overground style trains (more standing room) on local lines.

http://postimage.org/image/gqsvta99n/

Sorry rant over!

If im not mistake, it is the department of transport who buy trains, or at least allow a train leasing company to buy them (i'm not sure on the details).

Whoever does plan the number of carriages on trains needs to look again. Not sure how that works though. I assume carriages are transferred to routes which are busier at weekends? For example, during the week, a train to Manchester has about 7 coaches, but on a weekend has 4 and one of them is first class. It does confuse me as to where those other carriages go.

Sorry for the rubbish english, im sleep deprived.

london overground is tfl or a consortium of sorts. Network rail is still incharge of the track. they use CapitalStar trains. LM use TurboStars with end gangways I believe.

ohhhh im with you now. London Overground, totally forgot that was a franchise, i assumed brummie was referring to the whole overground network

get used to it. I struggle to get on a 3 car train every evening from 5 ways through to Blake Street. Mashed against the door every evening. It reallly needs to be 6 cars at this time of day. Putting 3 cars on at rush hour is really stupid.

Yes it starts in April

Ahh cheers Engels, any idea for how long it will take to complete?

get used to it. I struggle to get on a 3 car train every evening from 5 ways through to Blake Street. Mashed against the door every evening. It reallly needs to be 6 cars at this time of day. Putting 3 cars on at rush hour is really stupid.



The 17.25 and the 17.35 to Lichfield via Blake street are 6 cars normally.

Working in Coventry at the moment and trains back into Birmingham have been sound upto now. I catch the Virgin Pendolino at 17.02 and always seats available and back into New street at 17.28. Hate catching the London midland ones though as they stop at flippin Canley, TileHill, Berkswell, Hampton In Arden, BHX, Marston Green but always miss out all the Brummie stations like Lea hall and Stechford, LOL

Ahh cheers Engels, any idea for how long it will take to complete?

Im still trying to find out (for proffesional reasons) an exact end date but it should be similar to J8-10a in terms of construction programe so id hazard a guess at a build of approx 18months to 2 years

The 17.25 and the 17.35 to Lichfield via Blake street are 6 cars normally.

I'm on it now! Not really complaing I have a lot of fine arse in my face. Gotta love girls from uni of bham. Especially the hockey team.

ohhhh im with you now. London Overground, totally forgot that was a franchise, i assumed brummie was referring to the whole overground network

Yes meant the LO franchise. Shame we CENTRO can't do something similar. Need to invest a lot more in local rail rather than faffing about with the metro - sure that will be controversial amongst some on here but hey ho!

Welcome to the forum BIL.

A transport update :

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/0E1A27EC-916D-02A9-A3EB2E419742C1A9/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm

Managed to get some pics of the new underpass work ongoing at the A41 Expressway All Saints Way in West Brom today as I was a back seat passenger for a change, Providence Place in the background

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6461780805_7532250dac_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6461780805/)
IMG_0435 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6461780805/) by sefton 66 (http://www.flickr.com/people/58990999@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6461787513_9e17164b5e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6461787513/)
IMG_0436 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58990999@N03/6461787513/) by sefton 66 (http://www.flickr.com/people/58990999@N03/), on Flickr

Thanks for the update .This is quite a big piece of work .As someone has already mentioned , this whole area is being transformed at the moment .I hope it gives West Brom the lift it needs .

What a coincidence, i was down there also today and got a few pictures

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/6480/imag2674.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7930/imag2675m.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/4216/imag2676.jpg

Are you following me reiss:/ :lol:

Of course, I got you on my radar :lol:

Thanks for the additional photos Reiss .


Long term plans for the Sutton Park Line .

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=walmley-rail-line-revival-stops-new-housing-plan%26method=full%26objectid=29900268%26siteid=97319-name_page.html

[QUOTE=Nacho;86371439]
Long term plans for the Sutton Park Line .
^^
I know its all down to money, but I can never understand why this line wasn't pushed more strongly years ago, there are lots of commuters living alongside this route from Aldridge through Streetly and on to Walmley. In Streetly Village they had a ready made station site that could have included parking where some old factory units lay next to the line just up from the shops, now apartments?? anything to make a quick buck without considering long term need:bash:

[QUOTE=Nacho;86371439]
Long term plans for the Sutton Park Line .
^^
I know its all down to money, but I can never understand why this line wasn't pushed more strongly years ago, there are lots of commuters living alongside this route from Aldridge through Streetly and on to Walmley. In Streetly Village they had a ready made station site that could have included parking where some old factory units lay next to the line just up from the shops, now apartments?? anything to make a quick buck without considering long term need:bash:

unfortunately smart growth is not a widely used principle in the UK.

Although it has a great catchment area, the Sutton Park line falls down when it comes to the circuitous route that the line takes. To town to Walmley is via Castle Vale, and to Streetly is via Walsall.

Not sure which thread i should really put this in, but Google have finally fixed a error on Google Maps which was live for a while, the Aston Expressway was classed as the A5127 but now its been changed back to A38(M) and highlighted in blue.

One they haven't fixed is the Stratford road, its classed as the A41 on maps from the Ring Road to Warwick Road (which is the A41), when in fact its the A34.

[QUOTE=Nacho;86371439]
Long term plans for the Sutton Park Line .
^^
I know its all down to money, but I can never understand why this line wasn't pushed more strongly years ago, there are lots of commuters living alongside this route from Aldridge through Streetly and on to Walmley.

I can't understand why this line isn't being pushed more NOW. Apparently the business case isn't strong enough, but I wonder if the figures haven't been properly calculated. If the Bordesley chords and the new Tamworth line local services got introduced, the combined effect would be really significant. With the Camp Hill Line, that would be THREE new heavy rail commuter passenger routes into Central Birmingham! That's a lot of BANG for a relatively modest BUCK, so why aren't all 3 being pushed harder?

[QUOTE=nigeman;86395559]

I can't understand why this line isn't being pushed more NOW. Apparently the business case isn't strong enough, but I wonder if the figures haven't been properly calculated. If the Bordesley chords and the new Tamworth line local services got introduced, the combined effect would be really significant. With the Camp Hill Line, that would be THREE new heavy rail commuter passenger routes into Central Birmingham! That's a lot of BANG for a relatively modest BUCK, so why aren't all 3 being pushed harder?

True, that moor street needs some moar lines as well because it's so under used at moment, especially at off-peak periods.

Some more money being given by the government for transport projects, the ones in the Midlands are:


Chester Road in Birmingham will be widened to a three-lane dual carriageway while the rail route between Coventry and Nuneaton will be upgraded.

In Worcester, £14.2m is going towards improvements to Foregate Street and Malvern Link railway stations.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-16174368


Widening of the Chester Road is interesting, I wonder how much of it and where abouts?

^^ I can just think this is the Spitfire Island project? There's not enough room on the Chester Road to improve it that much.. (unless its from Chester Road train station to the M6)

There is little room for growth on the Chester Road. It is one of the few roads which cross Erdington, North to South.

A real issue for Chester Road is the number of retail units around Spitfire. but also the bottle neck that occurs around Chester Road Station.

EDIT:Oh and Tesco's New Oscott!

Are the Chester Road works the same ones we saw plans for earlier in the year with the re-configuration of the three islands leading towards the M6 overpass?

Yeah that's right, with space for the future to make way for a 'burger' island at Spitfire.

The have updated Google Maps now, and I've just found this on Street View, "Selly Oak A38 (B38)" This possible can't pass standards!?

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/4822/a38.png

'Womens' needs to be centre-aligned, but other than that is fine.

Apparently the DfT authorised the B38 number - which obviously has a lot wrong with it (2-digits, out-of-zone).

There is little room for growth on the Chester Road. It is one of the few roads which cross Erdington, North to South.

A real issue for Chester Road is the number of retail units around Spitfire. but also the bottle neck that occurs around Chester Road Station.

EDIT:Oh and Tesco's New Oscott!

I believe thereis also widening associated with some land purchaes

'Womens' needs to be centre-aligned, but other than that is fine.

Apparently the DfT authorised the B38 number - which obviously has a lot wrong with it (2-digits, out-of-zone).

That is a surprise, what was wrong with using B3800?

B438 is free and a better number than B3800 (for a start, it's in-zone), though quite why it needed to have a number relating to the A38 that it once was beats me - it could be the B4604 or some other free B4xxx.

The DfT have seemingly given up on caring about road numbering rules (or keeping records of anything - eg recently a request to make Ellesmere Port a primary destination was rejected, with no reference made to it already being one!). However I did use the word 'apparently' very deliberately, as the authorisation, according to Birmingham City Council came in 2002, which is before the bypass in it's current form had been planned.

Some members of SABRE are chasing it up with the DfT to see whether they truly have given up about any sort of road numbering rules other than the class thing (Class I (A), Class II (B) and Class III (C) determines amount of money the road will get for maintainance. Plus you have motorways).

Lifts for Accocks Green Station:

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/4172D254-D21F-A4EB-E6BD62DD32A9D516/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm


More information about the station :

http://rogerharmer.mycouncillor.org.uk/2011/12/08/1m-for-acocks-green-station/

Lifts for Accocks Green Station:

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/4172D254-D21F-A4EB-E6BD62DD32A9D516/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm


More information about the station :

http://rogerharmer.mycouncillor.org.uk/2011/12/08/1m-for-acocks-green-station/

Hopefully Stechford will be next.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16235349

Transport spending 'skewed towards London'

The government spends more money on transport projects for Londoners than on those for the rest of the country combined, a think tank says.

There is a table that say we receive the 3 largest investment outside of london

Some members of SABRE are chasing it up with the DfT to see whether they truly have given up about any sort of road numbering rulesA response from the DfT, saying that they didn't approve the B38 number and are chasing Birmingham City Council up on this has just been posted on SABRE.

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/birmingham-hybrids-launched

It has audiovisual announcements, I wonder if it works well... I also wonder if it will be rolled out to WM after a possible successful trial.

By the way, I think it's bit unfair that NXWM always test their new inventions on the west side of Birmingham buses, notably, Hagley road buses and Bristol road buses. What about all other bus routes left off in North, East and South Birmingham?

NXWM have got a wave of new buses on the 33 route, all on 61 reg's .

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/birmingham-hybrids-launched

It has audiovisual announcements, I wonder if it works well... I also wonder if it will be rolled out to WM after a possible successful trial.

By the way, I think it's bit unfair that NXWM always test their new inventions on the west side of Birmingham buses, notably, Hagley road buses and Bristol road buses. What about all other bus routes left off in North, East and South Birmingham?

9 is a route that is likely to see less abuse of the equipment. Also, the high amount of patronage will have a bearing to get a much better picture of the results. Don't worry- 126 doesn't get anything either. Hell, they still have the old Wright's running this route. Believe me, ride a 126 especially at night and you'll see what I mean.

The following video was taken in 1990 ; note the cars parked at the entrance of the tunnel to the Jewellery Quarter and note the absence of the two office towers alongside the station.Colmore Gate still hadn't been built by then either :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu1ze6MDfCI&feature=related

You've all probably seen this video before, but It highlights how monstruous the proposed HS2 station is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fh7JB-LwCQ&feature=related

Just thinking, we have lots of underground tunnels in bham, one of which stretching from Longbridge to the city centre, why don't we make use of them? I know the rising water table affects a few, such as the network beneath the bt tower, but solving that isn't outrageously expensive.

I wasn't 100% sure where to post this, but thought the council of birmingham now focuses heavily on transport, with HS2, redevelopment of various stations and the 2050 plan. Add to that the extension of the Metro.

This video below is of Helsinki, pretty self explanatory in the vid itself, we also have strong bedrock, just not as strong, but we could use the existing tunnels and caverns for the same or different purposes? take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=jXNyEiw28D0&NR=1

Are you sure one goes from Longbridge to the city centre:?? I know all the factorys were connected by underground tunnels, they have since been back filled and capped off though as far as im aware

Are you sure one goes from Longbridge to the city centre:?? I know all the factorys were connected by underground tunnels, they have since been back filled and capped off though as far as im aware

It goes to the city centre, but is about 2000ft off being completed. They stopped work on it in the late 50s. There is a site that highlights most of the work done, but not all is there. I've been down a few myself, mainly london's ones though. The one under longbridge is a completely different design to the ones in bham city centre, it's a hell of a lot wider. I'd say about 30m wide, and more oval shaped that circular.

here's the site that shows some info:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/b/birmingham_anchor_exchange/index.html

I've never seen anything mentioned about a tunnel from Longbridge.

The Anchor Exchange tunnels are owned by BT but they're not really used because maintaining them became too expensive. As you say, the rising water table has played havoc with maintaining them and some are completely flooded. Also, they're all different sizes so are not very adaptable.

The only thing I can remotely think of heading from Longbridge towards the city is the Elan Valley Viaduct.

But that is still in use and not viable for conversion.

Also there's no mention of this on 28 Days Later and those guys know all the tunnels.

Carillion speeds up with M6 contract win

Last updated: 3rd Jan 2012 at 08:15am | |
Construction services giant Carillion has won a £104.9m contract to work on the M6 in Birmingham.

The Wolverhampton-based company will transform the area between junctions five and eight of the motorway into a managed motorway.

Carillion is one of the Highways Agency's four delivery partners for the managed motorway national framework. The company previously worked on two phases of the managed motorway programme around Birmingham.

Advance works for the contract are expected to start at the end of January 2012 and the main works by June 2012.

Carillion's chief executive Richard Howson said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to work with the Highways Agency as its delivery partner for this latest managed motorway contract, which further reinforces Carillion's position as one of the leading suppliers for the agency's managed motorway programme."

The managed motorways scheme use a range of technologies and operating procedures to actively control traffic flow. This includes variable mandatory speed limits and opening up the hard shoulder to traffic to reduce congestion and improve journey times and safety.

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/63919-carillion-speeds-m6-contract-win/index.html

Plans for new Bromsgrove Railway Station take significant step forward

http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/9449151.Plans_for_new_Bromsgrove_Railway_Station_take_significant_step_forward/

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/63919-carillion-speeds-m6-contract-win/index.html

why did they not do this when they were doing the rest:bash::bash:

more delays for two years and its going to be worst on that section as its elevated

^^ well you'll be even happier to know that after this its likely they will be doing from J10 up to J20 I believe! so expect even bigger delays....

^^ well you'll be even happier to know that after this its likely they will be doing from J10 up to J20 I believe! so expect even bigger delays....

Not entirely sure why they haven't made the M6T free for road users. At least then it'll provide a junction free route to those that need to travel to Cheshire and beyond, and allow traffic to Birmingham to enter the city without hassle.. doesn't make any sense. :ohno:

Not entirely sure why they haven't made the M6T free for road users. At least then it'll provide a junction free route to those that need to travel to Cheshire and beyond, and allow traffic to Birmingham to enter the city without hassle.. doesn't make any sense. :ohno:

Isn't M6 Toll privately owned or something, and would cost a bomb for highways to buy it out?

Basically the traffic managing is just from the M6 toll junction to junc 10 which is the other side of the Toll..

I've never seen anything mentioned about a tunnel from Longbridge.

The Anchor Exchange tunnels are owned by BT but they're not really used because maintaining them became too expensive. As you say, the rising water table has played havoc with maintaining them and some are completely flooded. Also, they're all different sizes so are not very adaptable.

I went down there not too long ago. They are extremely damp, in fact the water is dripping from the ceiling, and there is about 15mm of water on the floor for the majority of that area. The BT section connects to parts of the rest of the network, and is in comparison considerably smaller.

The only thing I can remotely think of heading from Longbridge towards the city is the Elan Valley Viaduct.

But that is still in use and not viable for conversion.

Also there's no mention of this on 28 Days Later and those guys know all the tunnels.

They don't know all the tunnels haha.

These tunnels here:

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5759

connect to another network, which wasn't fully completed. I can't say where that entrance is exactly, but it's down there. It was due to meet up with the rest of the network at church street, however it was .6 degrees off approx, which led to it's cancellation.

^^So the World War II factory tunnels were supposed to meet up with the 1950s Anchor Exchange telecommunications tunnels? :?

As I've moved locations within the council and get the bus everyday down the Expressway I still marvel at how well the lane configurations work (I'm commuting in light traffic though - out of town in the morning etc.) It also got me wondering about the proposal in the 80s / 90s for another Expressway-type (M) road to the south that got rejected at every step. Where would it have gone? Would many houses in Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath have bitten the dust? I can see how we need another fast-track roadway to the south though, hidden from view by high walls. Or do we make the Coventry Road similar by removing unwanted central reservations and use lane-sharing?

As I've moved locations within the council and get the bus everyday down the Expressway I still marvel at how well the lane configurations work (I'm commuting in light traffic though - out of town in the morning etc.) It also got me wondering about the proposal in the 80s / 90s for another Expressway-type (M) road to the south that got rejected at every step. Where would it have gone? Would many houses in Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath have bitten the dust? I can see how we need another fast-track roadway to the south though, hidden from view by high walls. Or do we make the Coventry Road similar by removing unwanted central reservations and use lane-sharing?

I've been trying to find details of this as I'm sure one of you published the route sometime ago. Wasn't it supposed to be an urban motorway from M5 Jct 3 at Quinton, through the Woodgate Valley then south of Harborne and coming out near Five Ways? If you look at the overheads of the Quinton Bypass theres a massive gap between the carriageways. Almost as if there was supposed to be another junnction just north of the motorway island (and I dont mean the Quinton business park island thats been put in since)

A huge sign has gone up on bristol road warning drivers of 'major delays' on Moor Steet due to roadworks, so looks like the interchange works will start again soon

A huge sign has gone up on bristol road warning drivers of 'major delays' on Moor Steet due to roadworks, so looks like the interchange works will start again soon

indeed they are! Apparently, buses will no longer use Corporation St from around the 28th July this year subject to all the interchanges being finished

^^So the World War II factory tunnels were supposed to meet up with the 1950s Anchor Exchange telecommunications tunnels? :?

The idea only came about in the mid to late 50s, and the designs never got completed, anyhow the building work begun and the tunnel was formed, this one quite considerably smaller as it was planned to be widened with some mechanism. I know there is a small track down there, 0 guage i believe?

As I've moved locations within the council and get the bus everyday down the Expressway I still marvel at how well the lane configurations work (I'm commuting in light traffic though - out of town in the morning etc.) It also got me wondering about the proposal in the 80s / 90s for another Expressway-type (M) road to the south that got rejected at every step. Where would it have gone? Would many houses in Balsall Heath, Moseley and Kings Heath have bitten the dust? I can see how we need another fast-track roadway to the south though, hidden from view by high walls. Or do we make the Coventry Road similar by removing unwanted central reservations and use lane-sharing?

I'd say, Widen Highgate/Camp Hill Middleway by a lane, or maybe 2. Possibly the addition of a 2+ lane. Then have a fly-under or whatever the correct wording is similar to that of Belgrave interchange at Camp Hill Circus then the same idea of widening on bordesley middleway, and fly-under at bordesley circus. I think that would free up a lot of the traffic in the south of bham.

its under-pass or fly-over

its under-pass or fly-over

cheers. Under-pass is what I mean then.

I think the idea was somehow linking the Haden Circus with Maypole with a by-pass meaning a dual carriageway all the way from the city to the M42. But imagine the carnage finding the right route?

I think the idea was somehow linking the Haden Circus with Maypole with a by-pass meaning a dual carriageway all the way from the city to the M42. But imagine the carnage finding the right route?

Would definately be interesting. Very tough to do that without knocking anything down!

Would definately be interesting. Very tough to do that without knocking anything down!

Well didn't they do that with the A34 and A38(M)?

The planners wanted a similar type road to meet the M42. Anyhow it was back in the 80s to 90s and was condemned!

Well didn't they do that with the A34 and A38(M)?

Bit of a while back when that was built though. 1920 something? My knowledge of roads and their history is fairly poor. But thinking about the current housing crisis, I doubt anyone would allow so many homes to be demolished for the sake of a road. Aren't we supposed to be discouraging driving in the city centre and promoting buses, trains, metro, and the like? Obviously buses use roads, but considerably less than cars for the same numbers.

Also personally I believe we need to focus less on the big main roads (into bham-ringroad being an exception) and more on transforming little perhaps lesser known routes into the city.

Here's a route example.

Mosely Hall hospital>Birmingham Hippodrome.

Using the big main roads, one would go down the B4217, then turn right onto the A38/Bristol Road. Take the exit at Holloway Circus, right onto Smallbrook Queensway, hey presto, you're pretty much there. Enjoy the traffic.

or

Travel north on the A435, take a left onto Park road/Mary Street, turn left at the bottom of the road onto Balsall Heath road, then right at the roundabout onto Longmore street. Cross over the A4540, take Gooch Street and straight over the roundabout. Turn Right onto Sherlock Street, then left onto Hurst Street and then you are pretty much there. A lot less traffic.

We need to focus more on routes rather than roads in my opionion.

Taking multiple roads rather than just one or two and advertising them in some form would reduce the burden on other roads.

Not entirely sure why they haven't made the M6T free for road users. At least then it'll provide a junction free route to those that need to travel to Cheshire and beyond, and allow traffic to Birmingham to enter the city without hassle.. doesn't make any sense. :ohno:

I regularly use the M6 toll - it's very quiet - mainly because it's so expensive, particularly for lorries. It has also come under fire for successive price hikes with a current charge of £5.30 for cars to use the road, compared to £2 in 2004.

Meanwhile, the traffic on the elevated sections of the M6, through built up areas of Birmingham, remains very heavy, with lots of slow moving lorries causing lots of pollution - in a built up area!

The M6 toll is run by Midland Expressway Limited (MEL). This is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. The most recent accounts of the company revealed a loss of £49M as interest charges on borrowings wiped out an operating profit.

It would be very difficult financially and politically to nationalise the M6 toll before 2054, so the pollution caused by the M6 through built up Birmingham will continue.

I regularly use the M6 toll - it's very quiet - mainly because it's so expensive, particularly for lorries. It has also come under fire for successive price hikes with a current charge of £5.30 for cars to use the road, compared to £2 in 2004.

Meanwhile, the traffic on the elevated sections of the M6, through built up areas of Birmingham, remains very heavy, with lots of slow moving lorries causing lots of pollution - in a built up area!

The M6 toll is run by Midland Expressway Limited (MEL). This is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. The most recent accounts of the company revealed a loss of £49M as interest charges on borrowings wiped out an operating profit.

It would be very difficult financially and politically to nationalise the M6 toll before 2054, so the pollution caused by the M6 through built up Birmingham will continue.

I'd love the M6 (Toll) to be nationalised and to take over the M6 as the road which passes Birmingham.

Demolish the current M6, perhaps allowing the M38 to remain as a spur and we can regain the River Tame and a green corridor.

This would probably mean we lose the 'landmark' Spaghetti Junction but it is no longer up to the job.

I'd love the M6 (Toll) to be nationalised and to take over the M6 as the road which passes Birmingham.

Demolish the current M6, perhaps allowing the M38 to remain as a spur and we can regain the River Tame and a green corridor.

This would probably mean we lose the 'landmark' Spaghetti Junction but it is no longer up to the job.

It just wouldn't work, considering where the M6 meets the M5, people from the south would have go come through Birmingham centre to get to the M5

It just wouldn't work, considering where the M6 meets the M5, people from the south would have go come through Birmingham centre to get to the M5

I know, it's wishful thinking.

It would go along way to get rid of people's negative impression of Brum from the M6.

HS2: High-speed rail link 'to be approved':banana::banana:

BBC News

07 January 12 09:52

A government-backed report has given the clearest signal yet that a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham will be approved.
The Network Rail review has looked at two alternatives, favoured by many opponents of the £17bn HS2 scheme.
It concludes both will cause major disruption without solving the longer-term need for greater capacity.
The government is expected to make its final decision on the controversial £17bn HS2 scheme next week.
The 100-mile connection between London and Birmingham, which would be built between 2016 and 2026, aims to cut the journey time to 49 minutes. It would mark the first phase of HS2, with extensions further north later.
A Y-shaped section taking branches to Manchester, Leeds and possibly further north could be finished by 2033.
The entire cost of the project is expected to be £32bn.
'Green light'
The project - introduced by Labour and continued by the coalition government - has proved highly controversial.
Opponents say the planned route crosses an area of outstanding natural beauty and it will damage the environment. It also passes through Conservative heartlands and some Tory MPs have strongly objected to the proposal.
Critics have argued that overcrowding can be eased by improving the existing line, running longer trains and having fewer first-class carriages.
This latest review by Network Rail looked at two alternative schemes which suggest a series of improvements to the existing West Coast Main Line (WCML).
It found that neither would provide enough capacity to meet the predicted passenger demand and both would result in long delays during work on the infrastructure.
BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says the report is the "clearest indication yet that the scheme will be given the green light".
"But we won't know for sure until the government announces its final decision, expected next week," he added.
The report also found that while cost estimates for the two alternatives were "realistic", other factors such as remodelling work at London's Euston station had not been taken into account and the cost of disruption had been underestimated.
It concluded they would "deliver considerably fewer benefits than a new line".
A Network Rail spokesman said: "The capacity case for a new high-speed line is clear. In just over a decade the WCML, Britain's busiest and most economically vital rail artery, will be full with no more space to accommodate the predicted growth in demand.
"Alternative schemes to HS2 have been put forward which would deliver some short-term capacity benefits, but they would come at a heavy price in terms of disruption to passengers and the wider economy."
Lucy James, from the Campaign for High Speed Rail, said: "This report is just the latest piece of evidence to show that HS2 is the only game in town when it comes to solving the capacity crisis on Britain's railways."
Penny Gaines, from the Stop HS2 campaign, said it was difficult to understand how Network Rail could claim that the alternative plans would cause too much disruption.
"A low-risk series of incremental improvements will bring more benefits to more people more quickly for less money," she added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-16453869

This is good news, and now gives some certainty to large swathes of East Birmingham, particularly Eastside in Birmingham City Centre.

Hotel operators will now be clamouring for pieces of land to build new hotels in this area of the city.

I regularly use the M6 toll - it's very quiet - mainly because it's so expensive, particularly for lorries. It has also come under fire for successive price hikes with a current charge of £5.30 for cars to use the road, compared to £2 in 2004.

Meanwhile, the traffic on the elevated sections of the M6, through built up areas of Birmingham, remains very heavy, with lots of slow moving lorries causing lots of pollution - in a built up area!

The M6 toll is run by Midland Expressway Limited (MEL). This is a private company with the government concession to design, build, operate and maintain the 27 miles of the M6toll until 2054. After this time the road will be handed back to the government. The most recent accounts of the company revealed a loss of £49M as interest charges on borrowings wiped out an operating profit.

It would be very difficult financially and politically to nationalise the M6 toll before 2054, so the pollution caused by the M6 through built up Birmingham will continue.

It's £4 for the part I use. Coming on at the A38 to join the M42 there. It was £1 when it first started.

IMO, it should be nationalised and used a bypass for the original M6 itself, with no access to the Birmingham city (and associated junctions) itself. The logic is that those that just need to go from North west to toward the east can bypass all the traffic joining or leaving the M6, missing out these junctions. It also means that any major issues that need to be dealt with at the main interchange at Gravelly Hill can be done much more simply by shutting off the original M6, and traffic warning systems (those big boards on the side of the motorways) can notify drivers in advance of where to go instead, eg M45/A45 etc etc.

The Toll will never make a profit at all, no matter if you increase prices, or decrease prices to increase patronage... The whole thing has been so badly miscalculated - they'd be better off turning the loss making venture over to the government and let them toll at a much lower price, therefore reducing the amount of taxes that need to be spent on it.

they'd be better off turning the loss making venture over to the government and let them toll at a much lower price, therefore reducing the amount of taxes that need to be spent on it.The high tolls are damage-limitation, minimizing costs (less collectors needed as less traffic, less wear and tear on the road, meaning they only have to resurface the road once, rather than the twice if it was busier). Therefore, to reduce the amount of taxes spent on it, the Government would have to copy MEL and dissuade traffic from the road, keeping use to those who are working for companies that don't look closely at expenses.

The route needs to be toll free to act as an effective reliever of the shorter route through Birmingham and the Black Country as tolls dissuade doubly - in both the direct financial penalty for using the road and the time penalty for having to slow/stop at the toll booth (plus with higher levels of traffic, the congestion as the toll booths can't cope with the traffic - see the Dartford Crossing farce, where the tolls are there as a congestion charge, but are the main cause of the congestion).

I haven't really payed much attention to HS2 news, but it's meant to start construction 2016, have they released details of how construction will happen? Will it be built from Birmingham to London? From London to Birmingham or will they start at each end and meet in the middle? Also will they complete the tracks before starting on the station?

I haven't really payed much attention to HS2 news, but it's meant to start construction 2016, have they released details of how construction will happen? Will it be built from Birmingham to London? From London to Birmingham or will they start at each end and meet in the middle? Also will they complete the tracks before starting on the station?

wherever the most wasteground is I guess. I'd have said at both ends but well before station construction starts though here though. Although the target start year is 2016 don't forget there will be the usual judicial reviews, appeals, protests, possibly with guerilla tactics, etc etc so that could extend to 2020.

By the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see some Chinese firms getting a slice of the action... Likely employing their own gangs too...

It's a rumour, but balfour will most likely be on this job. I understand that the technology is mostly coming from France and Germany, as China are recently crap with their High speed trains (crashing them and not putting enough power into the line).

As for construction, it's mainly UK based companies according to my associate.

[QUOTE=Typhoon2000;87328600]wherever the most wasteground is I guess. I'd have said at both ends but well before station construction starts though here though....QUOTE]

Looking at the maps, there are a number of places where the new high speed line goes very close to other existing lines. Although no connecting chords and lines are not shown in the HS2 routemaps.

I wondered if these provide an opportunity to start using part of the route before the whole route and stations are completed.

One map in particular at the Balsall Common part of the route shows the route crossing the existing West Coast mainline. If a short chord could be built joining the existing route from new street to the line going south, could this enable part of the new route to be used early, albeit not for full high speed journeys?

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/tickets-prices/city-hop

National Express West Midlands are introducing a brand new fare; the Birmingham City Hop. From 2 January 2012 if you want to quickly jump on a bus and make a single journey wholly within the Middle Ring Road in Birmingham you only have to pay £1!

^^ suits me, I'm moving to Watermarque soon which means a trip into town's gonna be cheap n' easy.

[QUOTE=Typhoon2000;87328600]wherever the most wasteground is I guess. I'd have said at both ends but well before station construction starts though here though....[QUOTE]

Looking at the maps, there are a number of places where the new high speed line goes very close to other existing lines. Although no connecting chords and lines are not shown in the HS2 routemaps.

I wondered if these provide an opportunity to start using part of the route before the whole route and stations are completed.

One map in particular at the Balsall Common part of the route shows the route crossing the existing West Coast mainline. If a short chord could be built joining the existing route from new street to the line going south, could this enable part of the new route to be used early, albeit not for full high speed journeys?

well not unless Virgin (or whoever) wants to fit TVM signalling equipment to their existing trains at huge cost for very little benefit - those little yellow triangles don't have any lights.

I'd guess that you'll find it starting at just after the Y junction area down toward International, at the London end it'll probably start at Old Oak Common. There's more likely to be intermediate starting sections along the line too, especially at the viaducts and where you have tunnels. Of course the stations will be worked on in the couple of years before it opens.

Hopefully when it gets confirmed on Tuesday, we'll know more details. This is going to be a massively huge logistical undertaking.

deleted.

Railway revamp leads to business boom for Moor Street Station and Chiltern Railways
by Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail Jan 9 2012


BIRMINGHAM’S historic Moor Street Station has become a business magnet – with around 50,000 extra travellers climbing on board its London route since a £250 million line upgrade.

Chiltern Railways has revealed journey totals on its Birmingham to London link, including passengers using stations at Moor Street, Dorridge, Solihull and Warwick Parkway, had soared to 200,000 for the September to December period, up by a quarter.

And Chiltern bosses say business travel is driving the increase in passengers, with faster journey times on its new Mainline service cutting the trip to the capital from Moor Street to just 90 minutes.

Chiltern Railways director Thomas Ableman said: “We have seen a 25 per cent growth in the number of passengers between Birmingham and London and a 65 per cent increase in earnings.

“The 65 per cent increase in earnings is not because people are paying more for tickets, but we are now getting far more business travellers and we are seeing a lot of sales of peak-time tickets. The fastest time from Moor Street to Marylebone is now 90 minutes, down from two hours before.

“The objective of the upgrade was to attract business travellers and we are now seeing a lot of new people from across the range, from big law firms to financial services etc.

“Obviously, four months is very early days and we have a long way to go, but it is fair to say that people have reacted in the way that we hoped they would react.

“There is a lot of talk about recession and it is a huge risk for the whole of the economy but it also means that people are looking for better value, and looking to save money.”

The new upgraded Mainline service has seen Birmingham’s historic Moor Street Station enjoy a £13 million makeover, with new platforms, a doubling of capacity and new ticketing technology.

Chiltern say they have further plans to improve travel for the West Midlands in 2012, including refurbished trains and new car parks at both Solihull and Warwick Parkway stations. The new Mainline fleet of trains already offers free wi-fi facilities.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/01/09/railway-revamp-leads-to-business-boom-for-moor-street-station-and-chiltern-railways-97319-30082907/#ixzz1izLLJoAb

I've made the alternative to WCML journey from Mcr to Ldn via B'ham. It involves walking from New St to Moor St. It's been an enjoyable break of journey.

Work has now restarted on the Birmingham City Interchange on Moor Street.

It's a rumour, but balfour will most likely be on this job. I understand that the technology is mostly coming from France and Germany, as China are recently crap with their High speed trains (crashing them and not putting enough power into the line).

As for construction, it's mainly UK based companies according to my associate.

Balfours are tipped for the next stage of early development - or at least their consultancy arm Parsons Brinkerhoff are. That will rule them out for detailed design, but would leave BB Contracting to bid for part of the construction. They won't do all of it though.

As for mainly UK companies bidding, that won't happen and wouldn't be allowed. EU procurement insists on the market being open, and on current trends the Irish and Spanish will be kicking the door down to get involved with this.

That's if we are still part of the EU in four years. No sure thing.

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/01/09/railway-revamp-leads-to-business-boom-for-moor-street-station-and-chiltern-railways-97319-30082907/#ixzz1izLLJoAb
^^
Would be nice to see the last two platforms brought into use.
I can't understand why no one ever took occupation of the modern retail/restaurant extension fronting Moor Street. There is a lot of footfall here and I thought a restaurant or pub would see this as a good site.
I always thought Weatherspoons had agreed to operate a pub there when it was being built..Maybe its simply got no future with HSR2 coming in at the side of Moor Street, but it would surely be a profitable short term let to somebody?

^^
Would be nice to see the last two platforms brought into use.


You mean the ones nearest the BullRing? I thought they were now being used for the new Mainline trains that run direct from Moor St to Marylebone.


I can't understand why no one ever took occupation of the modern retail/restaurant extension fronting Moor Street. There is a lot of footfall here and I thought a restaurant or pub would see this as a good site.


I have walked round the Eastside / Moor St area a lot in the last two years taking pictures of Eastside, and I have to say that the retail outlet in the station is currently in rather a "dead" space.

Most people who come out of Moor St station quickly cross the road opposite the station and either head straight to the city centre, eithert to go to work, or to go over to the BullRing and other shops.

Very few people "turn right" towards the Masshouse area (and hence past the front of the retail extension) so there is very little passing people trade. Also Moor St is hardly the busiest station in the world.

There will always be a few rail passengers who will use it, before or after rail journeys, but I cant see many people crossing over from the city centre to eat or drink there, so trade may be fairly low.

Now the Carrs Lane hotel is open, and Hotel La Tour is opening soon, there may be more people in the area looking for something to eat and drink, but I can certainly understand why nobody has snapped it up before now.
.

There is one bay platform left to connect. The Mainline upgrade reconnected two of the three platforms. I'm sure i read something that said until the Bordesley Chord is constructed and some other changes the last one wouldn't be connected.

Is Walsall still going to be getting metro links?

Just a general question.....do people think that with the announcement of HS2 we may see a spead up of developeing the Midland Metro and/or sprint, and perhaps spead up of the camp hill chords and further developement of snow hill and moor street stations ?, I was just thinking about the whole idea of intergrated transport and the fact that the governement may now support this more to be in place for HS2 stations....

Just a general question.....do people think that with the announcement of HS2 we may see a spead up of developeing the Midland Metro and/or sprint, and perhaps spead up of the camp hill chords and further developement of snow hill and moor street stations ?, I was just thinking about the whole idea of intergrated transport and the fact that the governement may now support this more to be in place for HS2 stations....

That would be good thinking. the city should be pushing these projects forwad with some vigour. instead the first passengers are going to disembark HS2 at Curzon St to a building site, some half done Masshouse project and road closures due to the Metro works. Oh and a closed New Street Station because the wind took all the cladding off.

Hopefully this will see them painted and new lighting all the way through!

Birmingham city centre road tunnel to close at nights
Jan 12 2012
One of Birmingham’s busiest city centre tunnels is being shut down at night for more than two months.

Vital strengthening work means that from Monday, January 16, Lancaster Tunnel, under Lancaster Circus, will close from 7pm to 6am on week nights.

The tunnel entrances on the busy A34 are being strengthened and an opening between the northbound and southbound carriageways is to be formed for emergency escapes.

Protective safety barriers around the central wall are also being installed.

The work is being carried out by Birmingham City Council roads contractor Amey and will see the tunnel, near the old West Midlands Fire Service HQ, closed overnight for nine weeks.

It is the first of Birmingham’s tunnels to be refurbished under the city council’s 25-year contract with Amey. The company said it was yet to be decided which of the city centre tunnels would be closed next for work.

Mike Notman, Amey project director, said: “We will try to carry out these vital works with minimum disruption.”

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/01/12/birmingham-city-centre-road-tunnel-to-close-at-nights-65233-30111168/#ixzz1jNFlbozd

Just a general question.....do people think that with the announcement of HS2 we may see a spead up of developeing the Midland Metro and/or sprint, and perhaps spead up of the camp hill chords and further developement of snow hill and moor street stations ?, I was just thinking about the whole idea of intergrated transport and the fact that the governement may now support this more to be in place for HS2 stations....

I'd say yes definitly. Transport investment in Hs2 will improve the cost benefit equations of such schemes. Basically HS2 should be a major draw for connnecting services such as trains to Moor St - higher footfall will mean more potential passengers positively affecting the transport modelling for those schemes

Works really getting underway now, they have dub the turn in points in the central reservation already, took this photo couple days ago

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/3504/imag2881.jpg

Forgive my ignorance but do we know what this will look like? Is it a bus stop this CCI? Is this to take the buses off corporation street for metro?

Forgive my ignorance but do we know what this will look like? Is it a bus stop this CCI? Is this to take the buses off corporation street for metro?



YES, all buses are due to be stopped from using corporation street by around August/September 2012 to make way for the Metro. :)

It's all coming together nicely brum x.... :) so much to look forward to in brum over the next five years!

This CCI - what form will it take? That is, what will be different from now as the road is already lined with bus stops

It's all coming together nicely brum x.... :) so much to look forward to in brum over the next five years!

This CCI - what form will it take? That is, what will be different from now as the road is already lined with bus stops

nothing, just more stops and the road will now be two directional instead of one way i believe

Right so this is the moor street/carrs lane interchange referred to on the connectedcity website then? Which now refers to hs2...

So there are to be four other interchanges new st, snow hill, bull st and broad st. Presumably construction of the first three will take place in conjunction with the metro works as all will be serviced by the metro.

Right so this is the moor street/carrs lane interchange referred to on the connectedcity website then? Which now refers to hs2...

So there are to be four other interchanges new st, snow hill, bull st and broad st. Presumably construction of the first three will take place in conjunction with the metro works as all will be serviced by the metro.

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/

If you would like to download a PDF with more details about the proposed road changes to create the new bus interchanges and bring Midland Metro through the city centre to New Street Station please click here (http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/6113/0504/4885/Connected-city-changes_01.pdf).

I thought they were going to run buses through Navigation / Stephenson and Corporation St's in the opposite direction for the interim period between now and the Metro coming? Buses that come in from the SW?

I'd say yes definitly. Transport investment in Hs2 will improve the cost benefit equations of such schemes. Basically HS2 should be a major draw for connnecting services such as trains to Moor St - higher footfall will mean more potential passengers positively affecting the transport modelling for those schemes

I have to agree that the new HS2 terminal needs to trigger a major revamp in feeder transport sevices - after all why should Birmingham be different to both Manchester and London - where one of Boris's beefs is the impact that the rebuilt Euston will have on local transport - resulting in him calling for a new CR2 line and diversion of Milton Keynes trains via CR1. Manchester, as detailed in the Manchester sub forum here, has already made it clear that just Metrolink is not going to cut the mustard. Birmingham does now need to come up with a vision of what the local transpoirt network needs to be. In rail terms I would have thought that Camp Hill must be a given but what else could or should be done to make inner city interchanges and connectivity slicker and quicker?

I thought the idea was that the metro line connecting the city to the airport to have a stop infront of the new HS2 station and then down to digbeth high street.

Think this was mentioned previously:

National Express West Midlands cuts bus fares in Birmingham

by Cillian O'Brien, Birmingham Post
Jan 17 2012


National Express West Midlands will cut the price of a bus ticket to £1 for short single journeys within Birmingham city centre.

The company said the aim of the City Hop reduced fare, which starts on Tuesday, is to encourage more people to use buses.

A comparable journey at current prices is £1.70, meaning a saving of at 41 per cent for passengers.

Peter Coates, managing director of National Express said: “With ever-rising petrol and car parking costs, we believe the £1 fare initiative is a real opportunity to increase the number of people that use the buses.

“By introducing a lower fare, we are offering an added incentive to try the bus.

“National Express West Midlands has invested in improving the quality of its buses and we now have our new hybrid buses in service, providing environmental benefits along with a truly comfortable and enjoyable travel option.”

National Express have hired a team of hip hop dancers to promote the new fare to city centre commuters on Tuesday.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-transport-news/2012/01/17/national-express-west-midlands-cuts-bus-fares-in-birmingham-65233-30135746/#ixzz1jitzmTDp

Manchester, as detailed in the Manchester sub forum here, has already made it clear that just Metrolink is not going to cut the mustard. Birmingham does now need to come up with a vision of what the local transpoirt network needs to be. In rail terms I would have thought that Camp Hill must be a given but what else could or should be done to make inner city interchanges and connectivity slicker and quicker?

I think this actually came from the minutes of a meeting between HS2 and local stakeholders sometime in late 2010, where it was established that a light rail system like Metrolink does not have the capacity (on its own) to distribute all the passengers that a new high speed station would need to disburse. This is probably even more of a problem in Birmingham where there will be Leeds/Manc-Brum trains in addition to Brum-London ones. The Moor Street connection is presumably beneficial, but I would have thought that a direct connection onto the lines through New Street, the Metro and local buses would be desirable too.

it was established that a light rail system like Metrolink does not have the capacity (on its own) to distribute all the passengers that a new high speed station would need to disburse. This is probably even more of a problem in Birmingham where there will be Leeds/Manc-Brum trains in addition to Brum-London ones. The Moor Street connection is presumably beneficial, but I would have thought that a direct connection onto the lines through New Street, the Metro and local buses would be desirable too.

With moderate levels of investment, there is scope for a huge increase in heavy rail at Moor Street in the form of:

- passenger services on Camp Hill line, which could connect some Cardiff, Bristol and South West services to terminate at Moor Street
- passenger services on Sutton Park line, including Walsall, Aldridge and Streetly
- local passenger services on the Tamworth Line, including new stations at Water Orton, Coleshill Parkway and the Fort. This could also mean some services from Derby could teminate at Moor Street.

Obviously this requires construction of 2 chords, and the re-opening of a closed platform at Moor Street, but the potential is there.

The new High Speed station is right next door to Moor Street Station, and could even have a common concourse.

YES, all buses are due to be stopped from using corporation street by around August/September 2012 to make way for the Metro. :)

apparently by late July according to the plans- first day of the school summer holidays :cheers:

A dedicated coach and lorry park for Birmingham :

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/EB28AAE1-F9F6-EEE2-371914BC46826A97/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm

I think someone has posted photos of the site before .

A dedicated coach and lorry park for Birmingham :

http://centro.journalistpresslounge.com/centro/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/details/id/EB28AAE1-F9F6-EEE2-371914BC46826A97/cnt/1/ref/main/type/News%20Releases/ses/1.cfm

I think someone has posted photos of the site before .

I go past this nearly every day, they finished it montgs ago but it never opened until just before Christmas, I've only ever seen 3 lorrys in there since

I have seen a coach in there and that's it, would have been much better as some nice lowrise dutch style apartments.

Pardon my ignorance, but I dont usually follow this "Transport" forum, but can anyone tell me what they are doing outside Moor St station (or point me to a web site that explains), see picture below.

I see it mentioned a couple of pages back on this forum, but not sure what the overall plan is. Thanks

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/guilbert53/Moor1.jpg

Pardon my ignorance, but I dont usually follow this "Transport" forum, but can anyone tell me what they are doing outside Moor St station (or point me to a web site that explains), see picture below.

I see it mentioned a couple of pages back on this forum, but not sure what the overall plan is. Thanks


Here you go Guilbert

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/

If you would like to download a PDF with more details about the proposed road changes to create the new bus interchanges and bring Midland Metro through the city centre to New Street Station please click here (http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/6113/0504/4885/Connected-city-changes_01.pdf).

Pardon my ignorance, but I dont usually follow this "Transport" forum, but can anyone tell me what they are doing outside Moor St station (or point me to a web site that explains), see picture below.

I see it mentioned a couple of pages back on this forum, but not sure what the overall plan is. Thanks

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/guilbert53/Moor1.jpg


Did you not know mate, it is now 2016 and they are starting to build HS2, Lol

MAJOR CHANGES TO BUSES AROUND CITY CENTRE

Just found this update that has just been released, shows the current routes, and planned routes for the buses of Birmingham while and after the BCCI takes place.

http://www.centro.org.uk/connectedcity/maps.swf

MAJOR CHANGES TO BUSES AROUND CITY CENTRE

Just found this update that has just been released, shows the current routes, and planned routes for the buses of Birmingham while and after the BCCI takes place.

http://www.centro.org.uk/connectedcity/maps.swf

Just had a quick browse through some of the changes. Looks like there will be a fair bit of upheaval (and no doubt confusion) whilst the changes take place.
Once completed, it looks like the route from Carrs Lane, High Street, Corporation St through to Old Square will be very busy! Also, a lot more routes (Sutton etc) will be sent down Corporation Street past the courts.
Sutton buses will be now be departing from right outside the Square Peg.
Just a few snippets as there's an awful lot to take in!

Just had a quick browse through some of the changes. Looks like there will be a fair bit of upheaval (and no doubt confusion) whilst the changes take place.
Once completed, it looks like the route from Carrs Lane, High Street, Corporation St through to Old Square will be very busy! Also, a lot more routes (Sutton etc) will be sent down Corporation Street past the courts.
Sutton buses will be now be departing from right outside the Square Peg.
Just a few snippets as there's an awful lot to take in!

Yup its a very big job, as you say that junction will be very busy more buses will stop/pass tough that area now.

Perry Barr services (33, 51, 907, 952, 934, 935, 997, X51) will stop outside KFC/ Model Zone

Dudley buses (82, 87, 120, 127, 128) will stop down by the markets

Stratford Road buses (2, 3, 5, 6, 31, 37) will stop on Carrs Lane (opposite Tesco)

^^ Them are the major changes that will take place.

Minor changes include 61, X62, 63 and X64 which will all stop outside New Street station, go under Bullring and do a u-turn and come back down towards Holloway Circus. Also 74 and 75 will stop on Priory Circus next to Square Peg

24 doesn't change and will still serve as the link bus, as will the 16 which will be re-directed to follow the 24 from Snow Hill

Not just the buses, but a lot of Junctions around the city will need to be improved to cope with the traffic that will be created (around Digbeth) as new buses like 120, 127, 128, 45 and 47 will be diverted down there

Yup its a very big job, as you say that junction will be very busy more buses will stop/pass tough that area now.

Perry Barr services (33, 51, 907, 952, 934, 935, 997, X51) will stop outside KFC/ Model Zone

Dudley buses (82, 87, 120, 127, 128) will stop down by the markets

Stratford Road buses (2, 3, 5, 6, 31, 37) will stop on Carrs Lane (opposite Tesco)

^^ Them are the major changes that will take place.

Minor changes include 61, X62, 63 and X64 which will all stop outside New Street station, go under Bullring and do a u-turn and come back down towards Holloway Circus. Also 74 and 75 will stop on Priory Circus next to Square Peg

24 doesn't change and will still serve as the link bus, as will the 16 which will be re-directed to follow the 24 from Snow Hill

Not just the buses, but a lot of Junctions around the city will need to be improved to cope with the traffic that will be created (around Digbeth) as new buses like 120, 127, 128, 45 and 47 will be diverted down there



God help the Bristol Road Buses becouse smallbrook queensway is literally at a stand still most saturday afternoons. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

numbers of buses should be renumbered. for example, all the buses that go to the same kind of area say perry barr, should all be 50's buses etc

numbers of buses should be renumbered. for example, all the buses that go to the same kind of area say perry barr, should all be 50's buses etc
^^
Could'nt agree more

numbers of buses should be renumbered. for example, all the buses that go to the same kind of area say perry barr, should all be 50's buses etc

Really? The numbers of many buses have been the same for donkeys years - not sure a major change will help make people less confused in that way - everybody would have to start their knowledge from scratch - thats not at all helpful

Really? The numbers of many buses have been the same for donkeys years - not sure a major change will help make people less confused in that way - everybody would have to start their knowledge from scratch - thats not at all helpful

it would help visitors though and it will be easy to re-learn that all the buses to Edgbaston area are 30-something

Or number them by postcode somehow?

Or number them by postcode somehow?

nah because you would the have the number 20194342 for what is currently the 452. also to add to what i said before, you could then have all the number 50 buses leaving from the same bus stop/road in town.

But i just thought, they find it hard to create buses which are cross city so no hope.

I think the bus numbers are fine how there are, its just information boards that need updating, but I'm sure this will be happening in the coming months

thats because u know where the numbers go lol. All im saying is the 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 etc should all go to the same sort of area in the city. Thats pretty much how they work in the wonderful place called london lol

Here is the link for the new Centro news page .Let's hope we have more updates :

http://www.centro.org.uk/newsroom

following your link, it seems smart cards are being tested with this list of benefits


Key benefits of Signature Card

Save up to 30p on each journey compared to a cash fare - that could save you £3 a week!*

Signature card allows a negative balance so if you forget to top up you can still get home*

Peace of mind - you can select Auto Top-Up which means your Signature card never runs out of credit.

Simple and easy to use*

No need to carry the correct change*

Transferable - family and friends can share the card with you*

Replacement cards available in case of loss or damage.

I would like to think, when this is rolled out it will be unified by a single brand, although the trial seems to suggest otherwise

http://www.signaturebus.com

I know it's only marketing but it lacks the impact of the Oyster Card.

Why they don't produce a card with network west midlands branding on it is beyond me. I think getting the brand right is as important as the benefits of the system itself, otherwise it will lack take-up.

Why they don't produce a card with network west midlands branding on it is beyond me. I think getting the brand right is as important as the benefits of the system itself, otherwise it will lack take-up.
Because whilst produced in partnership with the WMPTA/Centro ultimately the system is operated and managed by Rotala.

Bristol Road currently down to 1 lane each way due to cutting back the trees. Instead of cutting back the trees they need to be cutting them down and making the road wider, there's enough room to have two wide lanes each side and a slim central reservation with some little trees and greenary. As I've said before, no need for the wideness of the pavements.

^^ totally agree Reiss, they need to get rid of the pavement that juts out on the Bristol Road just before and after the junction with priory road totally pointless the pavements are wider than the road lanes and theres never really many people walking there

Also M6 toll prices are increasing £5.50 for cars 20p increase, £11 for lorries vans and trailers 40p increase, funny how theyve timed the increase with the M6 due to undergo major works soon... There will be night time cuts to the prices though

Bristol Road currently down to 1 lane each way due to cutting back the trees. Instead of cutting back the trees they need to be cutting them down and making the road wider, there's enough room to have two wide lanes each side and a slim central reservation with some little trees and greenary. As I've said before, no need for the wideness of the pavements.

I agree - I don't see that the council has much option, but to cut down the trees Rather than encouraging private road use however, why not create a public transport corridor. In the short term - a designated lane for 'sprint' services and in the longer term this can be transferred to metro use. If anything people need to be discouraged from using their cars and public transport needs to be put on a higher agenda.

Birmingham City Centre Interchange Update

http://www.connectedcity.org.uk/files/6613/2766/9659/Bulletin_12-01-29.pdf

New buses for the West Midlands:

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/01/31/20m-investment-in-new-buses-for-west-midlands/

Information about bus changes in today's Birmingham Mail :

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2012/01/31/birmingham-city-centre-bus-travellers-face-summer-of-disruption-during-14miillion-upgrade-97319-30230709/

:(

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405809_10150635594001469_613271468_11597778_1751339463_n.jpg

That picture is all over my Facebook feed at the mo, haha!

'Yobs steal bus.'

*cough* *cough*! 'Elf and Safety... Hahaha!

A Sprint image from 2010 .I'm surprised we haven't had any major updates with this project.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/centro-nwm/6720571979/in/set-72157628926861783

are you really that shocked lol?

Carrs Lane is due to close tomorrow, to enable Gas works and re-alinement of the road to reverse the traffic when it reopens in June. This is according to the connectedcity website, but their haven't been no notices on Carrs Lane bus stops for moves or anything, although the temporary stops have been completed.

33, 51, 56, 907, 952, X31, X51 will all move to temporary stops on Albert Road
934, 935 and 997 will move to stop on Dale End opposite the old 'We Are Birmingham' shop.

^^

In relation to my above comment, nothing happened today, no bus notices or closers or anything. Now a road work sign has been put up stating 15th March is the starting date for Gas Works are High Street/Carrs Lane, so I suppose that will be the date everything moves.

A new book about Moor Street and Snow Hill railway stations :

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=train-fan-s-books-on-moor-street-and-snow-hill-railway-station%26method=full%26objectid=30346577%26siteid=97319-name_page.html

We certainly could do with more transport funding :

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/politics-news/2012/02/23/give-midlands-fair-share-of-transport-cash-demand-mps-65233-30393005/

What works are happening on the M6?

^^ Hard shoulder running scheme from J8 to J5, more info on link below

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/23385.aspx

Today's transport update from the Birmingham Post :

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=car-airbrushed-from-birmingham-city-centre-transport-plan-it-is-claimed%26method=full%26objectid=30387022%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

ConnectedCity have updated their website with more dates.. Also the first bus moves will start this Monday (27th Feb) and Carrs Lane will close.

Find out more about City Centre Interchange project and changes to bus stopping points by visiting the Network West Midlands Exhibition bus on the following dates:

Birmingham Markets Saturday 25 February 09:00- 15:00

High Street Monday 5th march 10:00- 18:00

Birmingham Markets Saturday 10th March 09:30 - 15:00

Chamberlain Square Thursday 15th March 11:00 - 15:00

High Street Thursday 22 March 10:00 - 18:00

Birmingham Markets, Saturday 14th April 10:00 - 18:00

High Street Tuesday 17th April 10:00 - 18:00

Victoria Square Wedensday 25th April 11:00 - 15:00

Birmingham Markets, Saturday 28th April 09:30 - 15:00

Today's transport update from the Birmingham Post :

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=car-airbrushed-from-birmingham-city-centre-transport-plan-it-is-claimed%26method=full%26objectid=30387022%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

yeh, nice one Tahir Ali.. It was your lot that scuppered the plans over the past 15 years and sent all the money up to Manchester... :gah:

I agree with the concept of having car parks at the middleway near principal public transport routes such that you park up, buy a parking ticket which doubles as a day pass, then metro / bus / train into the city core. I personally don't think cars work in city centres cuz there's not enough space.

And I hardly think the walkway from Moor St to New St under the Bullring is comparable to the old inner ring-road subways. It's in a heavily populated part of town and is pretty spacious. If they could achieve something like the approach to the Mailbox under the a38, be great.

Bus interchange update :

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=birmingham-bus-routes-and-bus-stops-changed-in-city-centre%26method=full%26objectid=30412389%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

Timeline for works on the City Centre Interchange.

Works taking place in the city over the next few months will transform bus travel in the city, improve the streets and public space and on-street information, helping to make getting around the city easier.

Creating the six new interchanges for bus passengers

A programme of works over the next few months will see some bus services moving on a temporary basis before everything is in place by August this year.

There are four stages to the work:
- Carrs Lane Closure – already underway and the bus services which stopped here have temporarily moved to stops on Albert Street and Dale End.

- Moor St Queensway/Priory Queensway closure (20 days approx) – scheduled for May. One side will close for resurfacing and the buses will move to the central reservation on Moor St Queensway and the buses which used Priory Queensway will use alternative stops in the city.

- Moor St Queensway closure (20 days approx) – scheduled for remainder of May and into June. This work will see resurfacing of the other carriageway and the bus stops move back to their original and final stopping points on Moor St Queensway. On completion of this work Moor Street Queensway becomes two–way.

- Closure of the junction of Bull Street and Corporation Street – this is a 55 day closure from June to alter this junction. This is when the buses will move from Corporation Street. When the junction reopens, the traffic on Carrs Lane and Lower Bull Street reverses direction so that traffic comes off Moor
Street Queensway and up Carrs Lane, Lower Bull Street and turns right onto Corporation Street to join Old Square.

When this final phase is complete all of the city centre should have its new stop totems and shelters in place with the new information points at key locations and the six interchanges around the core of the city.


Also a Diagram here too http://www.retailbirmingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Interchange-Bus-Service-Changes.pdf

do we have the designs of the interchanges??? im just curious... we know the proposed changes to the roads in the area, but what do we know about the interchanges themselves?

do we have the designs of the interchanges??? im just curious... we know the proposed changes to the roads in the area, but what do we know about the interchanges themselves?

The interchanges won't be like a station, it'll just be a bundle of bus stops,on the connectedcity website you can find images of what the bus stops could look like