Solihull Gateway will be complete on Sunday 15th November

Solihull Council’s major transport infrastructure project, Solihull Gateway, will be complete on Sunday 15th November.

The work has been carried out by Balfour Beatty Living Places, the Council’s highway maintenance partner.

The project has seen a major overhaul and remodelling of the Station Road and Poplar Road area of Solihull town centre – aiming to reduce risks to pedestrians and create a more attractive environment as well as improving road safety and access for buses.

In light of proposed developments such as Touchwood 2 and UK Central, work began in March to develop this ‘gateway’ into the town centre.

To reduce the dominance of traffic, a pedestrian zone has been created to deliver a low speed, high courtesy environment for those passing through the area. Within the zone, pedestrians now have more space and are free to cross at any point without the use of a formal crossing facility; although new zebra crossings are available for more vulnerable road users.

The scheme has replaced the existing street lighting along Station Road and Poplar Road with energy efficient LED lamps and added new street furniture including seating and litter bins. New trees have also been planted to make the area look and feel more pleasant.

The carriageway along the length of Station Road and Poplar Road has been resurfaced and new block paving has been laid on the pedestrian walkways.

As well as additional bus stop positions and more space for waiting buses, upgraded bus shelters are now in place. The shelters include displays to give up-to-date information on bus services.

On Sunday 15th November, the temporary one-way traffic system which has been in operation since the start of the works will revert back to two-way flow. This will allow bus services to return to their normal schedules. http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/gateway/gateway.aspx

Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “The scheme has delivered on its aim to make Solihull town centre more accessible and visiting a more convenient, and pleasant experience.”

“We have improved and updated the look of the area and created a place that pedestrians and bus users will feel more comfortable moving through. This is one of the first steps in the development of UK Central, which will offer Solihull as a premier investment destination.”

Richard Fryer, Contract Director for Balfour Beatty Living Places said: “We’re really pleased to be playing our part in improving Solihull town centre. Making the area more accessible is going to benefit residents and businesses for years to come.”

There is still on-going work at the Warwick Road – Poplar Road junction as Solihull Council and Balfour Beatty Living Places continue the Lode Lane Route Enhancement project which will provide a direct link into Poplar Road for buses and cyclists.

For further information on Solihull Gateway: www.solihull.gov.uk/solihullgateway.

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/980/Completion-in-site-for-Solihull-Gateway-