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£11m scheme to improve transport links between Solihull and airport
A major scheme to improve public transport between Solihull, Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre has won final approval, three years after the Government first promised to fund the project.
Transport Minister Paul Clark has confirmed that Solihull Council would be awarded £11.1 million to help provide a new interchange at Birmingham International Station, improving links between trains and buses.
Mr Clark said a number of measures, including improved bus services and better information for passengers, would encourage more of the people who visit the airport and the NEC to do so by public transport.
But the scheme will also help motorists trapped in traffic when trying to leave the NEC after attending a concert.
Cars will be able to use bus lanes when major events are causing significant congestion on local roads, Mr Clark announced.
The length of time taken to get out of the NEC car parks has been a matter of concern for some time and has been identified as one reason why the venue might lose concerts and conferences to rival operators.
Mr Clark said: “This will cut the travel time of those trying to get home after an event as well as commuters and shoppers travelling in and around Solihull.”
The main elements of what is being proposed include:
* New bus lanes.
* Improvements to the existing bus corridor, with easier access kerbs for disabled travellers.
* Bus priority measures to speed up travel time.
* New bus shelters to provide better waiting areas for passengers in bad weather.
* Shared use footways and cycleways to join up routes across Solihull and allow for safer travel.
Mr Clark said: “This funding will mean better public transport for people living and working in Solihull and east Birmingham, as well as those using the airport or visiting the NEC, with improved bus routes and more regular services.
“Better facilities encourage people to use public transport rather than their cars, and this in turn can reduce congestion on local roads and cut harmful CO2 emissions. I urge as many people as possible to take advantage of these new transport links.”
West Midlands councils have lobbied for improved transport facilities at the airport and NEC for years.
Real time information boards will be introduced so that bus passengers can plan their journeys more effectively.
The computer-controlled screens will show when a bus is due as well as its destination, enabling people arriving at Birmingham airport to work out how long their journey will take.
Source
A major scheme to improve public transport between Solihull, Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre has won final approval, three years after the Government first promised to fund the project.
Transport Minister Paul Clark has confirmed that Solihull Council would be awarded £11.1 million to help provide a new interchange at Birmingham International Station, improving links between trains and buses.
Mr Clark said a number of measures, including improved bus services and better information for passengers, would encourage more of the people who visit the airport and the NEC to do so by public transport.
But the scheme will also help motorists trapped in traffic when trying to leave the NEC after attending a concert.
Cars will be able to use bus lanes when major events are causing significant congestion on local roads, Mr Clark announced.
The length of time taken to get out of the NEC car parks has been a matter of concern for some time and has been identified as one reason why the venue might lose concerts and conferences to rival operators.
Mr Clark said: “This will cut the travel time of those trying to get home after an event as well as commuters and shoppers travelling in and around Solihull.”
The main elements of what is being proposed include:
* New bus lanes.
* Improvements to the existing bus corridor, with easier access kerbs for disabled travellers.
* Bus priority measures to speed up travel time.
* New bus shelters to provide better waiting areas for passengers in bad weather.
* Shared use footways and cycleways to join up routes across Solihull and allow for safer travel.
Mr Clark said: “This funding will mean better public transport for people living and working in Solihull and east Birmingham, as well as those using the airport or visiting the NEC, with improved bus routes and more regular services.
“Better facilities encourage people to use public transport rather than their cars, and this in turn can reduce congestion on local roads and cut harmful CO2 emissions. I urge as many people as possible to take advantage of these new transport links.”
West Midlands councils have lobbied for improved transport facilities at the airport and NEC for years.
Real time information boards will be introduced so that bus passengers can plan their journeys more effectively.
The computer-controlled screens will show when a bus is due as well as its destination, enabling people arriving at Birmingham airport to work out how long their journey will take.
Source