Commuters across Birmingham and the Midlands faced a morning of sheer disruption as torrential overnight rain sparked widespread flooding, leaving cars stranded and creating traffic chaos during the Wednesday rush hour.
Emergency Services Overwhelmed
The scale of the incident became clear as emergency services were inundated with calls. Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control handled more than 150 calls related to flooding between 7pm on Tuesday and 8:30am on Wednesday, November 12. Of these, fire crews were dispatched to 59 separate incidents, with flooding accounting for over a quarter of all emergencies.
Major Routes Brought to a Standstill
Several key commuter routes were severely affected, causing lengthy delays for drivers. One motorist reported that a journey from Streetly to Birmingham city centre took a staggering two hours due to the conditions.
The main roads impacted included:
- The A34 Birchfield Road Underpass was closed in both directions between Perry Barr and Canterbury Road, causing long delays.
- The A456 Hagley Road West eastbound was partially blocked and experiencing slow traffic due to flooding from Beech Lane Cross to Beechwood Road.
- The A38 Kingsbury Road towards Minworth was closed at the island after a car ended up on its side outside a pub.
- Adams Hill in Bartley Green, outside Bartley Green School, was also severely affected.
Official Warnings and Response
City transport boss, Coun Majid Mahmood, addressed the situation, stating, "We've experienced significant rainfall across Birmingham overnight, with further heavy showers expected throughout the day."
He issued a stern warning to the public: "I urge everyone to take extra care when travelling please do not attempt to drive or walk through flooded areas, as the water can be far deeper and faster moving than it appears."
He confirmed that council teams are working closely with emergency services and highways crews to manage the flooding, clear blocked drains, and keep the city moving as safely as possible. Mahmood extended his thanks to all personnel working in the challenging conditions.
Residents are advised to continue following local travel updates and weather warnings for the latest information.
