Following a whole lot of disruption that was caused across the region last time this event was staged in 2017, after a year off the Velo cycling event returns again in 2019 with a new route and another whole load of disruptions.
Network West Midlands say:
On Sunday, May 12 2019, Vélo Birmingham & Midlands, a major 100-mile cycling event, will welcome cyclists of all abilities to the Midlands. The event also features a shorter 42-mile option from Birmingham to Coventry. Set to raise millions for local and national charities, the one-day extravaganza promises to bring a truly spectacular celebration of cycling and there are countless ways you can get involved, spectate and cheer on the riders taking on the 100-mile and 42-mile challenges.
Anyone who needs to travel on Sunday 12 May is being asked to plan ahead and think about the journey they need to make. Reducing non-essential car journeys around the route will ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for those who need to keep moving. With road closures in place, bus services will be affected.
The following known bus diversion information is from Network West Midlands:
Bristol Road Services (61, 63)
From 08:00 until 19:00 service 61 is unable to operate. Passengers should use an enhanced and extended 63 service which will complete a loop of New Street, Frogmill Road and Holly Hill Road.
Chelmsley Wood Services (14, 55, 94, 96, 97, X12, X70)
From 06:00 until 10:30 these services are unable to access Chelmsley Wood. Services will operate as close to Chelmsley Wood as possible. Service 72 and X12 will have access towards Solihull only. We are able to provide a shuttle service which will operate from Yorkminster Drive via Chelmsley Road, Pine Square, Bosworth Drive, Chapelhouse Road, Greenlands Road and Coleshill Heath Road during these times.
Coventry Road Services (60, X1, X2)
Before 10:30, service 60 will start/finish from stop MS10 on Moor Street Queensway. Services X1 and X2 will start/finish at Bradford Street near the Coach Station. Services are unable to use Coventry Road from Birmingham and will divert. Towards Birmingham services X1 and X2 will serve all stops from Sheldon to Hay Mills.
Hagley Road Services (9, X8, X10)
Before 19:00, these services will be unable to serve stops between The Amber Tavern and Quinton Motorway Bridge on journeys from Birmingham, diverting via Brandhall. Towards Birmingham services cannot serve Quinton Church.
Harborne Services (23, 24)
Unable to serve stops at Harborne Road or Five Ways. Services will divert in both directions via Wellington Road.
Hawkesley Services (35, 45, 48, 49, H)
From 08:00 until 19:00 these services will not serve the Pool Farm or Hawkesley areas with normal routes. NX will provide a shuttle service which will operate from Man on the Moon via Redditch Road, Foyle Road, Shannon Road, Primrose Hill, Edgewood Road, Shannon Road and Longdales Road to and from The Maypole and Kings Heath. In Kings Heath, the service will operate a clockwise loop via Howard Road, Vicarage Road and Alcester Road South.
Markets Services (16, 45, 47, 80, 80A)
Before 20:00 services cannot serve the Markets area. Services will serve Smallbrook Queensway/New Street Station
Pershore Road Services (45, 47)
From start of service until 20:00, services will divert between Birmingham City Centre and Priory Road in both directions. In addition, between 08:00 and 19:00, service 45 will be unable to operate. Service 47 will operate an enhanced frequency to compensate.
Stratford Road Services (2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6)
Before 10:30 services will start/finish at Bradford Street near the Coach Station.
University Services (X20, X21, X22)
Before 19:00, these services will be unable to serve stops on Arthur Road, Wheeleys Road or Bath Row, diverting via Wellington Road and Bristol Street.
UPDATE: More detailed information on changes to NX West Midlands services can now be found on their website.
Coventry
The city centre will host the Velo route and the end of the short programme. Some city centre stops will be out of use on the day.
The list of services below shows services affected by the wider route with some areas not being served.
5 Coundon Road to Wallace Road not served – to operate via Radford Road Coundon
6 Heath Crescent to Bell Green Road not served – to operate via A444 & Bell Green Road Courthouse Green.
6A Heath Crescent to Bell Green Road not served – to operate via A444 & Bell Green Road – Proffitt Avenue to Anderton Road not served.
6A will terminate at Proffitt Avenue – Courthouse Green, Bell Green, Alderman’s Green, Victoria Farm.
7 Upper Well Street to Holyhead Road not served to operate via Spon End, Allesley Old Road and Four Pounds Avenue.
10 Walsgrave Road to Wyken Croft not served. To operate via Walsgrave Road, Ansty Road and Wyken Croft.
16A White Street to Sky Blue Way not served. To operate via Ring Road and Sky Blue Way.
20 Foleshill Road (A444 junction) to Mill Street not served. To operate via A444 and Newtown Road.
20C Windmill Road to University Hospital not served. Service 20A to terminate at Arena Park Bus Hub.
21 Mile Lane to Daventry Road not served. To operate via Quinton Road and Daventry Road. Stoney Stanton Road to Hillmorton Road not served. Service to terminate at Proffitt Avenue.
23, 23A Upper Well Street to Four Pounds Avenue not served. To operate via Spon End and Allesley Old Road.
60 61 will not operate from Tesco Arena in the morning. The service will start in Walsgrave Hospital. It will resume normal operation after 13:30.
X1 Upper Well Street to Holyhead Road/Four Pounds Avenue not served. To operate via Spon End, Allesley Old Road and Four Pounds Avenue.
Further details are available at the NX Coventry website.
For changes to Stagecoach services, see their website here.
Key travel advice
Plan ahead and check timetables before you travel, remember most services will be running a Sunday timetable.
Allow more time for your journey: whether you are travelling to watch the race or you have a day out planned, over 17,000 people will be taking part in the race and many more will line the streets to spectate so roads and public transport will be very busy.
Leave the car at home: road closures will be in place throughout the day so public transport will be the best way to enjoy the day. If you do need to drive, think about where you will park, to avoid road closures.
Be patient and expect to queue: key train stations along the route are likely to be very busy as people make their way around the West Midlands.
Use public transport wherever possible
For up to the minute travel information and help planning your journey, please follow Network West Midlands on Twitter @networkwm or check with the bus operators below:
National Express: www.nxbus.co.uk or @nxwestmidlands @nxcoventry
Diamond: www.diamondbuses.com/west-midlands or @diamondbuses
Arriva: www.arrivabus.co.uk/midlands or @arrivamidlandsW
Stagecoach: www.stagecoachbus.com/about/midlands @StagecoachMids
For event updates and to plan your day, visit www.velobirmingham.com
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