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Low-traffic plan's next phase to be scrapped

Kathryn StanczyszynBirmingham political reporter
News imageGoogle Traffic can be seen going in both directions on Kings Heath high street. There are also trees lining the street, with buildings behind them. A pedestrian can be seen walking in the distance.Google
Plans for the next phase in Kings Heath include more one-way streets - but the first phase was seen by some as good for cyclists, while for others it became a "nightmare" of frustrated drivers and idling buses

The second phase of a controversial scheme to manage traffic in the Birmingham suburb of Kings Heath is to be shelved in its current form, the BBC has learned.

According to a report due before Birmingham City Council's cabinet this month, the extension of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) cannot proceed because of "material objections".

The LTN, first proposed six years ago, has previously split opinion, with restrictions banning through-traffic on certain streets proving particularly contentious.

The council said its aim was to reduce traffic in residential neighbourhoods to try to make them safer, but "further work" was needed before it could "progress a solution".

The next part of the scheme, which had been approved by senior councillors last July, was to deliver the "planned full expansion" to the east of the High Street and into south Moseley.

It was also supposed to mitigate the displacement of traffic caused by measures already brought in, creating what some residents have described as "rat runs".

In phase one, so-called modal filters were introduced to the west of the High Street and a section of York Road was pedestrianised.

'Detours of up to 3km'

But in a report due to be discussed by cabinet on 17 March, council officers say such significant changes are now needed to make some parts of the second phase feasible, they can no longer recommend that it gets the go-ahead.

The biggest issue appears to be with the proposed new measures east of the A435 High Street, including further modal filters, one-way streets, and traffic calming.

In the leaked report, officers say 812 objections were received in a consultation following the cabinet approval of the plans in 2025, and that several issues raised are so impactful that proceeding "cannot be justified".

They include concerns over accessibility on some roads, operational need for businesses, and increased journey distances for some properties, where access to rear garages "could require detours of up to 3km (1.9miles)".

News imageGoogle A series of terraced shops and flats can be seen from across the road. One red shuttered shop is called Papa Chino's, and two doors down is Fletchers Bar & Eatery. A couple of cars can be seen parked next to the pavement.Google
The first phase of the LTN scheme led to the pedestrianisation of part of York Road, just off the High Street, where venues like the Hare and Hounds and Fletchers are

The report recommends that the plans for east of the A435 are now completely withdrawn and a "new approach" created to prioritise road harm reduction, manage east–west traffic, and address parking and narrow streets.

It says plans for further 20mph limits and traffic calming on Billesley Lane can progress independently with some further consultation.

"In determining a way forward, the council must take a balanced view weighing up policy considerations, statutory duties, regulatory frameworks and equity," councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said.

"As such, further work is needed before we can progress a scheme solution for this area.

"We will provide further updates on this project when a revised proposal is ready to be taken to the council's cabinet committee."