Walsall protests to continue to save trees on Sprint Bus route
People battling to stop dozens of mature trees being lost on a main Walsall road as part of the Sprint Bus scheme have vowed to keep on protesting.
More than 100 residents defied the elements to display their anger at the potential loss of around 70 trees on the A34 Birmingham Road, during a community protest on Sunday.
The area, which the locals call ‘The Green’, could be dug up to widen the road to create a bus lane as part of Phase Two of Sprint.
But people living nearby said there is no need for the works, as the full Birmingham to Walsall route won’t be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games.
They have vowed to hold at least one protest a month until designs are changed and the future of the trees secured.
Ward councillors Waheed Rasab, Gurmeet Singh Sohal and Nick Gandham also joined the protest against the plans, and urged residents to send in their views to Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and force a rethink.
TfWM said the bus was put forward long before Birmingham was awarded the Games and is not being created for that sole purpose. Hundreds of new trees are also being planted to replace any lost during construction.
Resident Val Dodds said: “The road widening between Lake Avenue and Park Hall Road is unnecessary because Sprint will be in service for the Commonwealth Games this summer. It will use the road as it is now.
“Why is it planned to destroy green space if the bus will have been using the existing road?
“Residents hope (the council) will see sense in refusing permission to destroy green space and cut down council-owned trees on the Birmingham Road.
“In carrying out their civic duty to protect green space, our councillors will not affect the progress or efficiency of the Sprint Bus route.”
Calls are also being made for people to adopt the trees and maintain The Green as a community space.
TfWM said the designs for Phase Two were still being finalised and will go out for public engagement, where issues can be flagged up that could result in changes.
Phase One is anticipated to be completed in the spring and, if approved, Phase Two – linking Walsall with Solihull and the airport via Birmingham City Centre – will be finished next year.
A spokesman said: “With dedicated bus lanes and priority at junctions, Sprint is designed to offer passengers shorter journey times and greater reliability as the zero-emission buses bypass traffic jams.
“A Sprint bus priority network is a key part of the region’s long term transport plan and was never solely dependent on the Commonwealth Games.
“During construction, 22 trees have been removed and we are in the process of planting 1,000 in parks and open spaces along the route to ensure a lasting green legacy.”
