Bid to divert cyclists from Broad Street slammed

A BID to divert cyclists away from using parts of Birmingham’s Broad Street has been condemned by cycling groups.

The ongoing tram line developmeny in Broad Street from Centenary Square to Five Ways has seen the pavements widened to help pedestrians to move more freely between pubs and clubs.

But with the road space being squeezed in favour of the West Midlands Metro tram service, cyclists will have to find an alternative route to get into and out of town.

The suggested option is that inbound cyclists turn left down Ryland Street, opposite Cineworld.

Cyclists will also not be able to use the Broad Street to Hagley Road underpass below Five Ways Island which has seen new tram tracks installed.

The line from Bull Street to Centenary Square is currently closed while the whole of the Corporation Street line is being dug up and replaced after just five years.

Westside BID general manager Mike Olley, who regularly cycles 20 miles a day into and out of work, said: “I think the authorities are making stuff like this up as they go along.

“On the one hand they are dreaming up schemes like the Birmingham

Cycle Revolution and want to encourage people like me to cycle, which I now am, but then they come up with something like this.

“Where is the planning? Who has been consulted and when, that’s what I’d like to know.”

Cycle Birmingham ride leader James Le Grys averages 120 miles per week on the city’s road network.

He said: “I really don’t want to be negative because I’m not that kind of person, but Birmingham is way behind Manchester and London. Manchester has a cycle network, we’ve got a line that is taking forever to build and will now have no provision for cyclists on Broad Street.”

Cannon Hill Cycling Club member Mick Stanford said: “There should be provision for cyclists on a road like Broad Street because tramlines are dangerous.”

A council spokesman said: “There are limitations on where cycles, pedestrians and the requisite public transport infrastructure can be safely reconciled in shared use.

“Cyclists are still permitted to use the strip between the rail and the kerb along the rest of the Broad Street track but should proceed with caution when crossing the rails, and consider dismounting to do so.”