Massive A38 Birmingham driving change plan which would affect thousands of motorists

View towards Paradise and Broad Street from the bridge over the top of Great Charles Queensway/A38
-Credit: (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)


Huge changes which would impact journeys to and through Birmingham city centre for thousands of drivers have been proposed by the city council. If approved, motorists would be prevented from freely accessing the A38 at three key junctions currently used to leave and enter the area.

The proposals would leave the Dartmouth Circus-Lancaster Circus junctions, to the north of the city centre, and the Holloway Circus-Belgrave Interchange, to the south, as the only two locations where drivers could both enter and leave the route. Three key junctions between those points would be restricted depending on whether motorists wanted to join or leave the A38.

All of the potentially-restricted junctions are currently used by commuters and other drivers to reach city centre destinations. But the council wants to cut the number of private cars using local roads in the city centre, instead aiming to increase use of the city's ring road.

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It stressed public transport would not be affected and, while routes to a destination may change, "all locations will remain accessible" A consultation document read: “This will reduce congestion in these locations and is an important first step on the journey to downgrading the A38 and reducing the severance it brings – an aspiration outlined in the Birmingham Transport Plan.”

“Private vehicles will be able to enter each area from the ring road only,” the consultation page said. “Private vehicles will not be able to travel directly between the different areas but public transport and active travel modes will be able to.

“This means the route to a particular destination might change slightly, but all locations will remain accessible". The council said it was “essential” it freed up space previously allocated to private vehicles.

Overview of the proposed A38 joining and exiting changes. Taken from Birmingham Be Heard consultation.
Overview of the proposed A38 joining and exiting changes. Taken from Birmingham Be Heard consultation.

“We understand the city needs to keep moving and efficient access is essential to all,” it said. A previous consultation was launched over the summer on other proposed measures in the city centre including a bus gate on both Great Charles Street Queensway and Colmore Row.

Residents have until November 18 to respond to the new consultation. It can be found on the Birmingham Be Heard website here.

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