Passengers airing views on town centre bus lane plans for Oldbury
Commuters are being urged to air their views over plans to change a key route in the Black Country under multi-million pound plans to boost bus services.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
A public consultation is now under way on plans to introduce bus priority improvements along a short section of the A457 Dudley Road near Oldbury Ringway in Oldbury in hopes of making buses more reliable.
The National Express West Midlands number 87 operates on the stretch and improvements are being designed to benefit its passengers, pedestrians and cyclists travelling through the area.
The proposals for Oldbury include carriageway widening and footway changes to accommodate a new eastbound bus lane near West Bromwich Street and Oldbury Ringway, upgraded bus stops and shelters, a signal-controlled pedestrian crossing to replace the existing uncontrolled crossing near the dual carriageway, footpath improvements to make room for a cycle lane, road resurfacing, new signs and road markings.
The scheme, developed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in partnership with Sandwell Council, is part of the Dudley to Druids Heath Cross City bus route, one of several routes being upgraded under the £30 million Cross City Bus programme. It is aimed to pump cash into infrastructure to make bus services faster, more reliable and easier to use.
The consultation exercise is running this month and feedback received will help shape the final scheme design. If approved, the scheme will be funded through the Department for Transport’s Better Deal for Bus Users Fund, allocated to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
TfWM stated: "This small but strategic improvement in Oldbury is part of our wider bus route improvements and ambition to make bus travel quicker, more reliable and easier for everyone across the region. By giving buses greater priority on key routes, we’re helping to cut journey times, improve reliability, and create a safer, more accessible environment for everyone, whether they’re travelling by bus, on foot, or by bike.
"We want local people to help shape how these improvements are delivered, and we encourage anyone who lives, works or travels through the area to take part in the consultation and share their views."
The body also urged residents, businesses and travellers to take part. The deadline for comments is June 1.
The Cross City project includes schemes for Burnt Tree Island in Dudley; Hockley Circus; Sutton Coldfield-Longbridge; and Kings Heath in Birmingham.
More details are available on the TfWM website.
