Cross-City routes promise faster commutes
Work is set to begin on three major bus priority routes across Birmingham and the Black Country, with new lanes and junction upgrades designed to help buses skip traffic jams and save passengers time.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has appointed contractor Sisk to deliver the first phase of the £multi-million Cross-City bus programme, in partnership with Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Solihull councils.
The routes include Druids Heath to Birmingham city centre, Longbridge to Sutton Coldfield, and West Bromwich to Chelmsley Wood via Soho Road and Bordesley Green.
Journey time savings
The new measures will include bus lanes, upgraded signals, improved stops and parking changes. Similar schemes on the A34 and A45 saw bus journeys cut by up to 22%.
Mayor Richard Parker said: “These projects are about saving people valuable time so they can get on with their lives. By making bus travel more reliable, we’re boosting productivity and supporting my Growth Plan.”
He added the programme marked “an important step” towards taking back control of bus services under a new franchise system.
Timeline for delivery
Early works, such as surveys and utility checks, will begin in spring 2026, with phased construction starting that summer. Sections of the routes will open as soon as completed to deliver benefits quickly.
Sisk project director Nick Silitzis said the firm would work “safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption” to create a faster, more reliable network.
Wider programme
Alongside the three new routes, TfWM is developing further schemes, with consultations under way for Hagley Road, Pershore Road and city centre improvements.
Meanwhile, the first construction works are due to begin this autumn at Burnt Tree Island in Dudley, part of the Dudley–Birmingham route.
The Cross-City programme is funded through the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
