Cycle route proposals for key road in Birmingham take important step forward

Back in 2020, Birmingham City Council installed a temporary ‘pop-up’ cycle lane in Bradford Street near Digbeth high street.

The move was part of the Labour-run authority’s broader transport plan, which seeks to ‘meet the demands of the future’ by prioritising people over cars.

Following feedback which was used to revise the scheme, the council is now proposing to make the cycle route on Bradford Street permanent and has launched a new public consultation.

If these plans go ahead, there would be a one-way segregated cycle lane on each side of the street.

The council is also proposing pavement widening at bus stops, to allow the cycle route to continue behind.

The other proposals include:

• Pavement widening on Barford Street at its junction with Bradford Street, to create shorter crossing distances for those walking.

• New controlled signalised crossing for people walking, wheeling and cycling on Bradford Street near the junction with Rea Street.

• New signalised crossing for people walking, wheeling and cycling on Bradford Street near the junction with Alcester Street.

• Traffic lights at the junction of Bradford Street with Rea Street to be removed.

• Existing parking bays to be removed and new bays proposed.

In a letter to residents, the council said: “Birmingham City Council aims to make walking and cycling everyday choices for local journeys and leisure activities, as part of a safe and integrated transport network.”

These proposals come amid other cycle route plans in a number of Birmingham areas, including for a section of the A45 Coventry Road and for the A38 in south Birmingham.

Responding to the proposals for the latter, Better Streets for Birmingham co-chair Martin Price said redesigning Brum’s streets was “one powerful way” the council could address the city’s road safety emergency.

You can find the council’s proposals for Bradford Street on its consultation website here.