Bus journeys in and around Birmingham city centre are set to change due to the stepping up of work on the Midland Metro extension along Broad Street.

City transport chiefs will introduce bus lanes, create new one way systems and remove parking bays as buses are re-routed around the building works.

As well as the tram line extension to Five Ways, work is also continuing on new office blocks on the huge Paradise and Arena Central sites.

The changes, which will be introduced in the summer, will mainly impact on traffic movements around Paradise Queensway and Edgbaston Five Ways and have been designed to ensure buses keep moving.

CGI of the Edgbaston extension of the Midland Metro tram to Hagley Road
CGI of the Edgbaston extension of the Midland Metro tram to Hagley Road

Laura Shoaf, managing director of Transport for West Midlands said: “The Midland Metro extension along Broad Street is going to transform public transport in this part of Birmingham, but while construction takes place we need to make sure buses can continue to operate.

“The work is going to mean possible disruption for buses, particularly at Paradise Circus Queensway and Five Ways.

“We want to know what people think of the measures we plan to bring in to help ensure we can come up with the best solution for buses and bus users.”

The works will be on Sheepcote Street, Great Charles Street Queensway/Paradise, Islington Row Middleway/George Road and Bath Row/Holloway Head.

People can find out more and give their views on the city council consultation website.

There are four proposed schemes:

Proposal 1 - Sheepcote Street

  • Southbound bus lane on Sheepcote Street from the entrance of the Arena Birmingham (NIA) car park to King Edward’s Drive (in the direction of Broad Street).
  • Removal of existing bus lane at the junction of St. Vincent Street and Sheepcote Street.
Map of the Edgbaston extension of the Midland Metro tram
Map of the Edgbaston extension of the Midland Metro tram

Proposal 2 - Paradise Queensway/Great Charles Street Queensway/Margaret Street

  • Bus lane on Paradise Circus Queensway and onto Great Charles Street Queensway.
  • Bus lane on Great Charles Street Queensway to Newhall Street.
  • Bus Lane on Margaret Street, from the junction of Cornwall Street to Great Charles Street Queensway.
  • Changes to on-street parking on Margaret Street (between Cornwall Street and Great Charles Street Queensway).

Proposal 3 - Islington Row Middleway/George Road/Bath Row

  • One-way system along George Road (from St James’ Road to Islington Row Middleway).
  • Improvements to George Road/Bath Row/Islington Row Middleway junction to provide new traffic signals, including pedestrian crossing facilities, and right turn from Islington Row Middleway into Bath Row for all vehicles.
  • Bus gate at George Road to allow buses to cross directly from Islington Row Middleway into Bath Row.

Proposal 4 - Bath Row/Holloway Head

  • Bus lane on Bath Row / Holloway Head on the approach to Holloway Circus, between Granville Street and Blucher Street.
  • Changes to on-street parking and waiting restrictions on Bath Row and Holloway Head.
Chamberlain House bites the dust
The Paradise site is also under redevelopment

Transport officers will explain the changes at these drop-in sessions

  • Monday, March 12 - Ladywood Health & Community Centre, St Vincent Street, Ladywood, B16 8RP, between 3pm and 6pm.
  • Wednesday March 14– TfWM exhibition bus, Central Square, Brindleyplace, between 11am and 3pm.
  • Saturday, March 17 – Cineworld, Broad Street, between 12pm and 4pm.

The consultation closes on Wednesday March 21.