City Centre Segments

This page is now closed for feedback. Details on the next phase of development of City Centre Segments can be found here .

Transforming the city centre was one of four Big Moves outlined in the draft Birmingham Transport Plan (launched in January 2020). To achieve this, fundamental changes to how the city centre is accessed was proposed as part of a city centre ‘traffic cells initiative’.

Through this, the city centre will be divided into a number of segments. Each area can only be accessed from the A4540 Middleway (ring road), and to move from one segment to another in a private vehicle you would have to go back out onto the A4540 Middleway. Movement between the segments would be unrestricted, and indeed enhanced, for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.

This commitment to transforming the city centre through the creation of walking and cycling routes alongside public transport services and limited access for private vehicles was reinforced in the Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan (approved in June 2020).

Through the Emergency Active Travel Fund, we are now able to begin to implement these city centre segments, creating more space for people by reducing the volume of through traffic and the dominance of vehicles on minor roads in the city centre.

The area within the A4540 Middleway will eventually be divided into six city centre segments, as shown below. The first phase of measures are being introduced alongside new pop-up cycle lanes in the city centre.

The first phase of will be delivered using temporary traffic management including barriers, cones, signs and road markings. It will include the following changes:

· Prohibiting access to Cecil Street, Lower Tower Street and Brearley Street from New Town Row (access to New Town Row will be maintained)

· Restrictions to north–south movements along Camden Street, Sand Pits and Parade

· Restrictions to east–west movements along Bristol Street

· Restrictions to westbound movements through A4400 St Chads Queensway

This scheme is being delivered on a trial basis for the next few months, with the potential for the measures to be modified and/or made permanent in line with the Emergency Birmingham Transport Plan.