The Be Heard consultation on the “Sheepcote Street etc. bus lane scheme” closed over 2 months ago,

There was a previous consultation which can be viewed here.

I used this recent one to create My Submission which agreed with the scheme and applauded the change to two-way traffic on Grosvenor Street West (the previous one retained the one way traffic and cycle way).

On 22 August the results of this second consultation and notification of intention to proceed was emailed to  those who had submitted to the consultation .

Attached to this email  was a Word document entitled Summary of Objections – Sheepcote Street Etc. This can be viewed by clicking Summary of Objections – Sheepcote Street Etc .

The Summary of Objections – Sheepcote Street Etc stated:

“It should be noted that any changes to Grosvenor Street West would have to be delayed until the Crest Nicholson development (corner of Sherborne Street/Grosvenor Street West) construction traffic management was completed (they are expected to remove their traffic management at the end of 2019)”

Only people who submitted their views to the Consultation could be made aware of this postponement.

This would have serious consequences for KEW Residents gaining access to the KEW Car Park. Similarly Residents of the other apartments in Sheepcote Street would be affected.

NOTE: below are some maps and images to help with the clarity of my text below.

At best Residents travelling from the North via St Vincent Street would have to use Browning Street/Morville Street/Ryland Street to enter Broad Street and then Sheepcote Street.

But the use of the Ryland Street/Broad Street junction is not currently possible due to Metro works. This has been the case for most of the past year and may continue until the Centenary Square/Hagley Road metro extension is completed in 2021.

So, Residents would have to use the A4540 Ladywood Middleway ring road to then negotiate Five Ways island in order to enter Broad Street. This is really bad news because the queuing in the left hand lane for a turn into Broad Street or Islington Row is always extensive and much more in rush hours. This queuing will get far worse when the St Vincent Street/Sheepcote Street/Broad Street rat run is no longer available in mid September (works already well advanced).

I have looked at the Crest Nicholson development and no traffic management is apparent. Personally, I could not see why any such management would affect two-way traffic along Grosvenor Street West. The traffic that would use the Grosvenor Street West lane towards Sheepcote Street would most likely be mostly residents of the apartment blocks in Sheepcote Street and hence be minimal.

Also, delaying the two-way implementation until the end of 2019 would reduce its importance to the City road engineers – it would likely become off their radar –  and my guess was it would never be implemented!

Article by Geoff Caine

Below are some maps and photos to help with understanding my SITUATION descriptions above.

1. Sheepcote Street layout plan showing the changes currently underway (apart from Grosvenor Street West).

2Google map of the area showing the Crest Nicholson building site.

3. Photo of Sherborne Street building site entrances. The first is 100 yards from Grosvenor Street West (in the background) and the question is does this have any effect on Grosvenor Street West traffic?
The second entrance is currently being used as shown because of road works outside the first entrance.

4. Photos of the Ryland Street/Broad Street junction taken this week.

5. Google Maps showing the typical concentration (speed) of traffic in the area at 5:30pm on a Thursday.
Sheepcote Street and Broad Street traffic colours will change after completion  of the “Sheepcote Street etc. bus lane scheme”.