Transport Infrastucture for CWG 2022

38182 Views 241 Replies 48 Participants Last post by SuttonBaggie, Feb 9, 2021

jd88

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2017

Given that there is the likeliness that Birmingham will be awarded the big event within the next couple of weeks my question is what transport infrastructure do you think should be in opeartion before the Games begin.

To make a start:
I propose that the Sprint system should be fully up and running with routes running from the airport to Halesowen using the A45 and A456 and then from Walsall down to Longbridge via the A34 and A38. The rolling stock should be top quality and there should be time for people to adapt and changeover to the new system.

Thoughts?

1 - 20 of 242 Posts

Harborne Ultimatum

· #2 · Dec 16, 2017

I'll be surprised if Sprint ever happens, to be honest. Not a massive fan of the idea. My top 3, anyway:

1. Centenary Square and Broad St tram extensions to be completed, and the 50m pool in Sandwell to be connected to public transport, be it Metro or train.

2. Snow Hill to get a serious redesign/redevelopment.

3. More carriages/better carriage layout on both Cross City and Jewellery/Shakespeare lines.

1 & 3 are easily doable. 2 won't be ready in time.

jd88

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 16, 2017

West Midlands Rail should sort out number 3 I would have thought.

It'll be interesting to find out where in Sandwell they place the swimming pool in the end. I agree about it should be close to public transport, hopefully in a nice surrounding environment rather than industrial.

Harborne Ultimatum

· #4 · Dec 16, 2017

Birmingham was chosen as the UK's candidate for the Games this month, beating off competition from rivals Liverpool and becoming firm favourite to host the event.

Sandwell Council chiefs met on Wednesday where it was confirmed a deal had been agreed in principle over a site, believed to be in the Smethwick area.

The authority has committed almost £30 million towards supporting Birmingham's bid, including funding from outside sources.

Read more at https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/sandwell/2017/09/29/deal-over-sandwell-swimming-site-agreed-as-games-moves-closer/#qFQPBo3mpEJe2iIJ.99

My guess would be somewhere near Galton Bridge station.

DBadger

· #5 · Dec 16, 2017

Smethwick High Street and Rolfe Street are due widescale redevelopment under the Black Country Garden City. I think if the pool goes there we'll also see the currently on hold redevelopment of Rolfe Street station - along with the canalside village:

https://www.expressandstar.com/news...thwick-canalside-village-project-put-on-hold/

So I would expect a new Rolfe Street and Galton Bridge station.

The A34 corridor has the biggest concerns though. Not least would be a new station concourse at Perry Barr, and increased services. This is no good as the entrance to the Commonwealth Games:

Rail Around Birmingham

Not just because of its appearance - it's such a tight entrance.

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Harborne Ultimatum

· #6 · Dec 16, 2017

Unless you just bypass the issue completely by running a shuttle bus service to New Street with temporary priority lanes. Which would be a cheapo solution from BCC and as such wouldn't surprise me.

DBadger

· #7 · Dec 16, 2017

Either way, this area will become high density housing following the Commonwealth Games so I'd expect regeneration of the station area.

If and when the One Stop gets redeveloped, I'd like to see a new station building fronting the One Stop, rather than the street.

jd88

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 17, 2017

Harborne Ultimatum said:
My guess would be somewhere near Galton Bridge station.

Galton Bridge would be a good shout with it being connected to the Rugby-Stafford line as well as the Jewellery Lines.

If they decide to split the swimming into two locations then another option could be close to Hagley Road near Bearwood.

We'll just have to wait and see.

jd88

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 17, 2017

DBadger said:
Either way, this area will become high density housing following the Commonwealth Games so I'd expect regeneration of the station area.

If and when the One Stop gets redeveloped, I'd like to see a new station building fronting the One Stop, rather than the street.

I agree, the station will have to be redeveloped and it would be good to make it pedestrian friendly from all different sides, similar to how it has been developed at New Street.

I also think that something could be done regarding parking at the station. That would be one way to reduce congestion on the A34.

Typhoon2000

· #10 · Dec 18, 2017

Skeptical anything major will get done in four and a half years. Expect to see major use of shuttle bus services and temporary bus lanes. Park and ride by M5 (Quinton)

Rail works taking place to improve frequency and reliability. Maybe some arty farty stuff. Tarps to hide the crap... about it. Digbeth extension brought forward? Nah...

At least 5ways tram stop might stand a chance of completion.

Lol.

B78

· #11 · Dec 19, 2017

Could it be possible to move the Perry Barr stop slightly and have the entrance as part of the development of the BCU site? It would probably need the option of a shuttle bus to the stadium as the station isn’t that close.

Kettledrum

· #12 · Dec 20, 2017

In an ideal world, there would be a tram line from the city centre to the new stadium, but it can't happen in time. Perry Barr station looks awful and would be a poor advert for the city. The alternative would be for passengers to be directed to Hamstead station, with dedicated shuttle buses running up Rocky Lane. It's a similar distance to the stadium.

Red Ape

· #13 · Dec 20, 2017

Harborne Ultimatum said:
I'll be surprised if Sprint ever happens, to be honest. Not a massive fan of the idea. My top 3, anyway:

1
1 & 3 are easily doable. 2 won't be ready in time.

I asked Any Street about connectivity to the Alex Stadium & he said Sprint would be used.

markmcd1976

· #14 · Dec 20, 2017

The station is at least a mile from the stadium, so its not really viable anyway. The metro would be perfect for this, then on to Walsall, but never going to hapoen!

Billsmothers

· #15 · Dec 21, 2017

markmcd1976 said:
The station is at least a mile from the stadium, so its not really viable anyway. The metro would be perfect for this, then on to Walsall, but never going to happen!

I've just been exploring Perry Barr on Google Earth. How has the city managed to create such a terrible mess and live with it for so long?

Having only ever seen the station from the train, I was shocked by the image D Badger posted of the ugly, poky entrance. It looks to me as though the best solution here would be to move it to the other side of the road, where space exists for a new entrance building, and where it could be linked directly into the redevelopment of of the BCU campus. But it's already too late to do this for 2021, and it would be pointless anyway as it's still too far to walk from here to the stadium.

I'm starting to be concerned that having this event is going to give national and international exposure to some very unattractive parts of the city. The potential locations being talked about for the aquatic centre are not much more inspiring (see Rolfe Street, for example).

Obviously these areas need regeneration anyway, but the very tight timescale is going to limit what is possible, particularly in terms of transport infrastructure. It's unfortunate, when we've seen the Metro emerge over the last few years as a crucial link between major developments, that this won't be reflected in the Games.

Another thing which concerns me, looking at the video of the proposals for the
athlete's village, is that we will end up with a redevelopment of the former BCU campus designed and built in a hurry, to a lower standard than we might otherwise have seen. The council needs to be very alert to avoid this trap: are they up to it?

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TJF

· #16 · Dec 21, 2017

markmcd1976 said:
The station is at least a mile from the stadium, so its not really viable anyway. The metro would be perfect for this, then on to Walsall, but never going to hapoen!

Shuttle busses from the Station to the stadium? Shuttle busses from the Athletes Village to the stadium will be necessary anyway, so seems logical, especially if there's going to be a dedicated lane.

daj

· #17 · Dec 21, 2017

Billsmothers said:
I've just been exploring Perry Barr on Google Earth. How has the city managed to create such a terrible mess and live with it for so long?

Having only ever seen the station from the train, I was shocked by the image D Badger posted of the ugly, poky entrance. It looks to me as though the best solution here would be to move it to the other side of the road, where space exists for a new entrance building, and where it could be linked directly into the redevelopment of of the BCU campus. But it's already too late to do this for 2021, and it would be pointless anyway as it's still too far to walk from here to the stadium.

I'm starting to be concerned that having this event is going to give national and international exposure to some very unattractive parts of the city. The potential locations being talked about for the aquatic centre are not much more inspiring (see Rolfe Street, for example).

Obviously these areas need regeneration anyway, but the very tight timescale is going to limit what is possible, particularly in terms of transport infrastructure. It's unfortunate, when we've seen the Metro emerge over the last few years as a crucial link between major developments, that this won't be reflected in the Games.

Another thing which concerns me, looking at the video of the proposals for the
athlete's village, is that we will end up with a redevelopment of the former BCU campus designed and built in a hurry, to a lower standard than we might otherwise have seen. The council needs to be very alert to avoid this trap: are they up to it?

The drive from the city through Newtown would put people off if they discover it. Definitely an Achilles heel.

Brum Boy

· #18 · Dec 21, 2017 (Edited)

My idea would be to construct a new junction on the M6 with access straight into Alexander Stadium. Then build a large multi storey car park with spaces for coaches plus a drop off area for the shuttle bus.

This would be an easier option for day trippers wanting to take in the games from locations across the UK and an interesting ride on the shuttle bus from Birmingham town centre taking in views of the Birmingham skyline, Villa Park and the Spaghetti Junction.

I feel this will give that big city feel showing off the fast connection from the city to the main motorway network and therefore avoid the necessity for tourists to travel in and out of the city on the A34 and directly through some of the deprived areas of the city.

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Brum Boy

· #19 · Dec 21, 2017

Adding to my idea I would also give free access to the M6 Toll during the games to reduce traffic along this section of the M6. Plus ensure no roadworks during this time.

ReissOmari

· #20 · Dec 21, 2017

Brum Boy said:
My idea would be to construct a new junction on the M6 with access straight into Alexander Stadium. Then build a large multi storey car park with spaces for coaches plus a drop off area for the shuttle bus.

This would be an easier option for day trippers wanting to take in the games from locations across the UK and an interesting ride on the shuttle bus from Birmingham town centre taking in views of the Birmingham skyline, Villa Park and the Spaghetti Junction.

I feel this will give that big city feel showing off the fast connection from the city to the main motorway network and therefore avoid the necessity for tourists to travel in and out of the city on the A34 and directly through some of the deprived areas of the city.

But A34 Walsall Road is Junction 7 of the M6, Alexander Stadium is on A34 Walsall Road, I don't see the point in that, and even so, the M6 literally sits on stilts above houses through Great Barr and Perry Barr.

As stated, the ideal idea would be to move the station to the other side of the Birchfield Road, as the flyovers and underpasses alone aren't very nice to cross, at least the station would be on the right side of the road.

I'm still confused as to where the SPRINT bus is going to go, IF it ever happens.

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