A scheme aimed at reducing congestion and improving public transport and active travel has had its most recent phase completed.
The A457 Dudley Road Improvement Scheme will deliver significant improvements in network capacity and public transport, in addition to upgraded facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the A457 corridor.
It will also support the city’s growth objectives within the Greater Icknield area. Phase two has now been completed with a plaque installed next to the new Spring Hill bridge.
The scheme is funded via central government levelling up money.
West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “Since the summer, I have chaired a gold group around road safety bringing together the local authorities and the combined authority to work collectively for safer roads. We must all work in partnership to bring down the number of collisions that result in fatalities or serious injuries.
“At WMP, we have made the biggest reinvestment in roads policing in a generation. We’ve increased the teams who target the causes of collisions as well as the teams that tackle criminal use of our roads.
“We are more determined than ever to achieve Vision Zero. But we need the help of every road user to achieve it.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Cycle lanes and bus lanes, like those on Dudley Road, help reduce traffic and pollution, making our streets cleaner and safer for the community.
“I’m also working closely with the police and councils on a new road safety plan, which will introduce even more ways to make sure people can travel safely across the region.
“Alongside this, we’re expanding key routes like the cross-city bus service from Birmingham to Dudley and growing our network of cycle paths to help even more people get around safely and easily.”
Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport and environment, said:
“This summer, Birmingham City Council declared a road safety emergency. People have died as a direct result of dangerous driving across our city, and this must end.
“We’re taking action, including working with the police and the mayor to increase the number of average speed cameras across the city, and reducing the speed limit from 40 to 30 miles per hour on our major roads.
“We can’t just police our way out of this though. For too long, our roads have been designed with a driver-first attitude, and in order to make our roads safer, this must change.
“So it is important to highlight the completion of the latest phase of work to make the Dudley Road safer, including the development of dedicated walking and cycling lanes, improved priority for buses, reduced congestion and ultimately safer roads.”