Birmingham City Centre to Get 20mph Zones and Bus Gates in Major Transport Overhaul
Bus gates and 20mph speed limits could soon be implemented on specific roads in Birmingham city centre as a significant transport initiative progresses forward. The Sprint project, managed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), aims to create a seamless bus route connecting Walsall, Birmingham, and Solihull along the A34 and A45 corridors.
Phase Two of Sprint Project Moves Ahead
The Sprint initiative has now advanced to its second phase, which will introduce additional bus priority measures and upgraded shelters between Solihull and Walsall town centres, as well as within Birmingham city centre. Phase one previously extended bus lanes and installed enhanced bus shelters, with plans for articulated buses featuring multiple doors to speed up boarding and reduce waiting times at stops.
Improvements for phase two have already been carried out along the A34 between Scott Arms and New Town Row. Now, further measures covering the city centre, between Lancaster Street and Moor Street Queensway, are taking a step forward with a new public consultation launched by Birmingham City Council on February 27.
Proposed Changes to Traffic Regulations
The consultation focuses on traffic regulation orders, the legal documents required to alter road status. Key proposals include varying and introducing bus lanes and bus-only roads on several key routes:
- Moor Street Queensway
- James Watt Queensway (including the section formerly known as Chapel Street)
- Corporation Street
- Lancaster Circus Queensway (underpass)
- Lancaster Street
Additionally, a 20mph speed limit is planned for lengths of James Watt Queensway, Lancaster Circus Queensway (underpass), and Lancaster Street. All planned changes for the city centre can be reviewed on the Birmingham Be Heard website.
Why the Sprint Project Is Essential
TfWM emphasizes that the Sprint project is crucial due to the region's growth, with the West Midlands population expected to increase by up to 444,000 by 2035. The organization anticipates 215,000 new homes will be built across the region by 2030, alongside business investment generating an additional 50,000 jobs and the introduction of HS2 enhancing wider connections.
"We want growth to be inclusive and sustainable so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities it will bring," TfWM stated. "Investment in our passenger transport network will help provide the capacity and quality of service we need, while helping to keep our region moving."
The agency added that dedicated bus lanes, priority signaling at junctions, and faster passenger movement on and off buses will make journey times quicker and more predictable without increasing bus speeds. This public consultation follows an earlier one conducted by TfWM in May 2025, marking a continued effort to engage residents in shaping Birmingham's transport future.
