Designs for the Sprint rapid bus route in Walsall have been refreshed to avoid the need to cut down a small number of trees on the A34 Birmingham Road.

Under the fresh proposals a planned bus lane has been reduced in length to retain the at risk trees on The Green next to the junction with Springvale Avenue.

The designs are part of plans for phase two of the Sprint route linking Walsall and Solihull town centres, via Birmingham city centre on the A34 and A45 with bus lanes and priority measures at junctions to improve journey times and reliability.

Since the completion of phase one last summer average bus journey times between Walsall and Birmingham have reduced by 6 minutes as the priority measures allow buses to bypass traffic jams on the busy route.

The second phase will see further bus priority infrastructure installed along the Sprint route in Walsall, Sandwell, Birmingham and Solihull and is being funded through a £56 million investment from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement awarded by Government to Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) last year.

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is developing Sprint to make bus travel more reliable and more attractive as part of the region’s #WM2041 plans for a net-zero carbon region within two decades and reduce traffic congestion.

A series of public engagement events will outline the design changes and phase two proposals in Walsall. These include three new improved bus shelters, a 400-metre bus lane on the A34 into Walsall town centre, and further improvements to bus routes in the town centre.

Sprint bus shelter near junction of Bell Road and Birmingham Road, Walsall

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Our Sprint bus route is designed to improve public transport connections in the West Midlands, and so I am really pleased the evidence shows that bus passengers are already benefiting from more reliable services and quicker journey times following the completion of Phase One. It is why I am so keen on putting our foot down on the accelerator and getting on with delivering Phase Two.

“But as well as improving public transport, we also have a cast-iron commitment to tackling the climate emergency as part of our #WM2041 plan. A cornerstone of that is our commitment to both zero-emission vehicles and the environment, which is why it was important on this project that we worked to ensure these mature trees on The Green could be retained.

“That means, alongside our ongoing commitment to plant 1,000 trees along or near the Sprint route, this project will leave the West Midlands not only better connected but greener too.

“This is just one part of our wider investment in public transport, which includes reopening rail stations and lines, expanding our metro tram network, developing cycle routes, and delivering better bus services - all to offer people better connections and provide more convenient alternatives to the car.” 

Following completion of phase two, zero-emission articulated buses will be introduced offering uninterrupted bus services from Walsall town centre to Birmingham Airport and Solihull town centre. These buses are being funded from the Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas, or ZEBRA, grant awarded to TfWM last year.

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council said: “The residents on Birmingham Road wanted us to look again at the proposals and we listened. Now they can rest assured that these trees on The Green will stay.

“Now we can get on with the work of delivering Sprint and look forward to offering the people of Walsall direct, affordable and reliable bus services to key destinations like Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Solihull.”

Walsall residents can find out more about the proposals at public drop in events at Handsworth Rugby Club on 4 July, The Crossing at St Pauls on 6 July and Broadway Bar & Grill on 12 July. All are open between 4pm and 7pm.