Work to install traffic measures to boost walking and cycling and help promote social distancing will begin in Oldbury and Smethwick on Monday 6 July.
As more businesses and shops reopen, Sandwell Council is improving the space available to pedestrians and cyclists to support more active travel choices.
It will also help shoppers and people travelling to and from work to keep a safe distance from each other as they pass each other or queue.
The changes – along with people following key public health advice – will help reduce the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Everyone still needs to follow social distancing advice, wash their hands regularly and, where they can’t keep a distance from others, wear a face covering. Face coverings are mandatory on public transport. Stay at home if you or someone in your household have coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms.
An initial package of traffic measures is being funded through the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund via Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
These initial measures in Sandwell include work to remove ‘pinch points’ on footpaths in Oldbury and Smethwick town centres.
Work will start on Monday 6 July and will take a few days to fully implement.
In Oldbury, there will be more space for walking by making the road one-way downhill from the roundabout by the war memorial, down Birmingham Street, to the junction with Simpson Street.
This will allow the footpaths to be ‘widened’ by using barriers and cones. Wherever possible, on street parking will be retained, although in some areas some spaces will be temporarily removed.
The lower end of Birmingham Street, between Simpson Street and Oldbury Ringway, will remain two-way to traffic to allow access into Simpson Street and McKean Road.
In Smethwick, along St Paul’s Road and High Street, walking space will increase by making the road one-way from the roundabout junction with Fenton Street, to the T-junction at the end of the High Street near Trinity Motors. This will allow the footpaths to be ‘widened’ using barriers and cones and also keep most of the on-street parking.
Bus services in one direction will be affected and new temporary bus stops will be placed on Tollhouse Way, with new footpath links built to serve them from the High Street.
Councillor Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: “During the pandemic we have seen an increase in cycling and walking as people have been unable to access public transport. As businesses and retail reopen, we want to ensure people can continue to walk or cycle to travel and feel safe doing so.
“Where possible, I would ask people to walk or cycle for short journeys rather than using the car or public transport when travelling to and from our town centres.
“We are exploring all opportunities to boost cycling and walking in Sandwell – not just during the Covid-19 pandemic but for the future. This will help improve people’s health and be good for the environment, improving air quality and helping us tackle climate change.”
Councillor Taylor added: “We thank everyone for their support and help in these difficult times. The work will be completed under an experimental order which will allow for changes to be made should any difficulties come to light in the future.”
Sandwell Council is implementing traffic changes under emergency legislation introduced by the Government to support the return to work and gradual lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
Go to our coronavirus webpages for more information on the council’s response to coronavirus (Covid-19).
