Birmingham sets sights on 300km of new mass transit routes to accommodate increase in travel

Consultancy WSP has advised Birmingham City Council how it can accommodate four million daily trips the DfT expects will be made in the city in less than two decades' time. Ideas include 300km of new mass transit routes and 350km of new or upgraded cycle routes.

The DfT figures suggest that congestion in the West Midlands could be 83% higher by 2035 as the population grows by up to 150,000 additional people. To respond to this, the city council and WSP have launched a 25-year vision to meet the city's "mobility challenges". WSP's Mobility Action Plan has made suggestions for upgrading transport networks, and the city council will now consult residents and businesses on these. The key idea is an 11-line bus rapid transit network. 

Cllr Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "In general Birmingham is lagging behind many U.K and European cities in its thinking and, importantly, the delivery of a truly integrated, sustainable transport system. This plan is the first step in providing the long-term strategy to guide the development of a transport system we can all be proud of."