A major Shirley road was shut down in both directions on Wednesday afternoon after a significant leak from a bus triggered a major emergency response.
Emergency Response and Road Closure
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) swiftly implemented a 50-metre precautionary safety cordon after being called to the scene near the Asda supermarket on Haslucks Green Road. The incident, which began around 2pm on Wednesday, 14th January, was caused by a ruptured pipe on a National Express West Midlands bus.
The area was promptly cleared of passengers, pedestrians, and traffic as a safety measure. A mechanic from National Express West Midlands attended the site to assess the damage and begin the recovery process. Images shared by local social media account Solihull Updates showed the cordon in place, with fire service personnel diverting vehicles away from the affected section.
Travel Disruption and Diversions
The closure affected Haslucks Green Road between the A34 Stratford Road and Victoria Crescent. National Express West Midlands confirmed the disruption on social media platform X, announcing diversions for several key services.
Services 5, 27, and 49 were diverted in both directions. The alternative routes saw buses using Stratford Road and Baldwins Lane (for services 5 and 27), and Newborough Road (for service 49). The operator apologised for any disruption to journeys, although it was reported that the impact on the wider network was minimal.
Clean-Up and Reopening
Following the containment of the leak, Solihull Borough Council was requested to assist with the necessary clean-up operation on the road. The coordinated response allowed for the situation to be resolved relatively quickly.
The road was fully reopened to traffic at approximately 4pm on the same day, just two hours after the initial incident. The swift action of the emergency services and the bus company's engineers helped to restore normalcy to the busy Shirley shopping area with minimal prolonged inconvenience.
