I have received the press release below from John McDermot who is a Director of the Broad Street BID (Business Improvement District). This is about the closure of the A38 Tunnels for 4 weeks – a key section of road if ever there was on!
A38 Tunnel closures –summer 2013
Birmingham residents, businesses and visitors are advised that the A38 tunnels through the city centre are going to be closed for six weeks this summer while essential refurbishment is carried out.
The St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels will be completely closed to all traffic from 10pm on 19 July to 6am on 2 September. The closure will be preceded by four weeks of overnight closures, from 10pm to 6am, and followed by up to two weeks of similar overnight closures.
Amey, working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, has been liaising with business representatives to ensure that appropriate diversion routes are put in place.
People who live and work in the city centre or who visit Birmingham are being urged to consider how they travel during the six-week closure period, with train, bus and cycling all being viable alternatives to driving.
During the closure of the 40-year-old tunnels, work will be undertaken involving structural modifications, upgrading fire protection, and improving the lighting and general appearance. Further refurbishment works including new emergency, control and communications systems are being planned for next year.
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, said: “I would urge everyone who regularly drives into the city centre, particularly at peak times, to consider alternatives. Although the work has been planned for the school holidays when there are fewer vehicles on the roads, it will still have an unavoidable impact. Drivers should consider using public transport, cycling or even walking where it is feasible.
We are continuing to engage with the public and businesses to explain what we are doing and why this important work is needed. I would ask motorists to start thinking now about alternative ways of getting into the city centre.”
John Sunderland, Business Director at Amey, said: “The work we are carrying out is essential, and we are aware that closing the tunnels will have a major impact on the city.
However, by talking to people now, and ensuring those people who usually drive into the city centre have plenty of notice, we hope that people will give their travel plans some consideration.
Our traffic planning team are hard at work ensuring that all diversion routes are suitably signed and easy to follow, so people can still get into Birmingham whether it is for work or leisure.”
The work in the tunnels is an important part of the Birmingham Highways Maintenance and Management Service, run by Amey and Birmingham City Council, which will see the roads across the city brought up to an agreed standard, and then maintained, over the course of the 25-year contract.
Click here for more details.
Geoff Caine
Sainsbury’s and their partners Land Securities have submitted a new outline plan for their proposed redevelopment of waste land in Selly Oak. The Worcester & Birmingham canal runs alongside this and is in dire need of enhancement as this stretch lets down the rest of the canal which elsewhere provides a picturesque approach to Birmingham centre for the multitude of visiting narrow boaters.
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