The document summarizes Birmingham's Emergency Transport Plan which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan aims to promote active and sustainable travel by reallocating road space to walking, cycling, and public transport. It will implement temporary infrastructure changes like pop-up bike lanes and widened pavements using Emergency Active Travel Funding. The goal is to encourage habits of active travel that improve health, air quality and community life in Birmingham.

1. www.birmingham.gov.uk/transportplan
Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan
Moseley ward forum
8 July 2020
Joe Green, Travel Demand Manager

2. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Context
Draft Birmingham Transport Plan published in January 2020
sets out what we need to do differently to meet future demands:
 Climate emergency – carbon neutral Birmingham by 2030
 Air quality – going beyond the legal minimum requirements
 Accommodating future growth – population and economy
 Grasping opportunities – Birmingham welcomes investment
 Travel Demand Management approach to encourage change
Towards the end of public consultation on this plan, the UK was
placed in lockdown to reduce the spread of COVID-19…
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3. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Transport impact from COVID-19 and lockdown
PAGE 3
 Overall reduction in traffic levels (extent varies across modes)
 Challenges around public transport capacity & confidence
 Some issues around speeding and dangerous driving
 More people walking & cycling, generally for leisure/exercise
 Some people shopping more locally, often by foot or by bike
 Quieter streets and improved air quality, leading to creation of
more pleasant residential environments across the city
 Opportunities to lock in these benefits as lockdown eases

4.  Traffic initially dropped
to around a third of
usual levels
 Gradual rises since the
easing of lockdown
(from 1 June, 15 June
and 4 July as schools,
retail and hospitality
begin to reopen),
currently at around ¾ of
usual levels
Road Traffic Data
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AvgweekJanuarytoMarch
16-22March
23-29March
30March-
5April
6-12April
13-19April
20-26April
27April-3May
4-10May
11-17May
18-24May
25-31May
1-7June
8-14June
15-21June
22-28June
29June-5July
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Thousands
Vehicles per week on A38(M) at Dartmouth Circus

5. PAGE 5
www.birmingham.gov.uk/transportplan

6. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Emergency BTP - Vision
The vision for Birmingham’s transport is for a sustainable, green,
inclusive, go-anywhere network and for a low carbon, clean air
recovery from COVID-19 lockdown.
Safe and healthy environments support stronger communities
and will make active travel – walking and cycling – the first choice
for people making short journeys.
A fully integrated, high quality public transport system will be the
go-to choice for longer trips. In the short term, limited capacity
on public transport will be offset by increased space for walking
and cycling and by reduced travel overall.
(built on same Vision & Big Moves as draft Birmingham Transport Plan)
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7. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Reallocating road space
Reallocating road space away from
single occupancy private cars to create
safe space for walking, cycling and
social distancing while maintaining
public transport provision.
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• Review dual carriageways for cycle/bus lanes.
• Review high streets for footway widening
• Review footways for shared foot/cycle track
• Review planned schemes to maximise walking,
cycling and public transport
• Accelerate delivery of cycle infrastructure

8. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Managing demand through parking measures
Managing demand through parking
measures where land and space
currently occupied by car parking is
repurposed for walking, cycling and
social distancing.
PAGE 8
• Review on-street parking for footway widening
• Discourage parking on footways
• Parklets and/or spill-out business activity.
• Prioritise space for disabled parking, car club
vehicles, electric vehicle charging
• More cycle and motorcycle parking
• Review implementation of CPZs
• Adopt new Parking SPD

9. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Transforming the city centre
Transforming the city centre through
the creation of walking and cycling
routes alongside public transport
services and limited access for private
cars.
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Photo credit:Southside BID @EnjoySouthside
• City centre traffic cells
• Seek opportunities for footway widening.
• Review bus stops and waiting space
• Space for parklets/spill-out business activity
• Accelerate/enhance public realm project
• Establish new cycle links
• Cycle/motorcycle parking & e-scooter hire
• Adjust crossings for more pedestrian priority
• Reimagine James Watt Queensway

10. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Prioritising active travel in local neighbourhoods
Prioritising active travel in local
neighbourhoods so that walking and
cycling is the way most people get
around their local area most of the time.
Local areas are places where people are
put first, creating stronger communities
with space for exercise and play.
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• 20mph speed limits
• Low traffic neighbourhood pilots
• Measures to support schools
• Footway widening
• Pedestrian crossings
• E-scooter and e-cargo bike trials
• Prioritise walking/cycling in local schemes

11. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Funding
 Emergency Active Travel Fund (DfT)
• West Midlands (WMCA) to receive £17.2m in 2020/21 (indicative)
• Provisionally Birmingham will receive c£5m of this allocation overall
• Infrastructure schemes are being delivered alongside package of
supporting measures & a regional communications campaign
• Funding being released in two tranches (20%/80%)
– Tranche one: mainly for temporary/trial measures (delivered in Jul-Aug)
– Tranche two: beginning to implement things more permanently (by Mar 21)
 Reopening High Streets Safely Fund (MHCLG)
• Birmingham has been allocated £1,016,937
• Coordinated by Neighbourhoods Directorate, but aligned with Transport
activity around city centre and local centres/high streets
• Mainly for safety measures around social distancing when queuing
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12. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
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13. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Emergency Active Travel Fund (tranche one)
 Pop-up cycle lanes (x7)
• Sutton Coldfield ring-road; A45 (City Centre to Small Heath); A38
(Selly Oak to Northfield); A47 (City Centre to Fort Dunlop); City centre
to City Hospital via JQ; Bradford Street; A38 to A34 link
 Park & Pedal (from train stations and other suitable locations,
largely connecting to existing routes with some spurs added)
 City Centre Traffic Cells initiative
 Places for People Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – two pilots in
Lozells and Kings Heath plus some other quick-win measures
 Pavement widening in Stirchley & Moseley local centres
- Temporary measures, with potential to become permanent
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14. birmingham.gov.uk/emergencytransportplan
Emergency Active Travel Fund (tranche one)
in and around Moseley
 Moseley local centre scheme
 First set of measures delivered from this week, with some
opportunity for further measures as required.
 Places for People
o Low Traffic Neighbourhood pilot in Kings Heath, with potential
for an early demonstration measure on School Road ahead of
wider development and engagement for this part of Moseley.
 Car Free School Streets
o Scheme extended to 6 more schools from September 2020,
including Anderton Park Primary School (Dennis Road).
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15. Please contact connected@birmingham.gov.uk
with any questions or comments