Road improvement works start in Castle Bromwich

AT A CROSSROADS: What the junction is expected to look
like once the Hurst Lane Place project is complete

EXTRA parking spaces will be created as part of a project to improve the centre of Castle Bromwich, which got under way today (October 20).
Businesses have previously petitioned Solihull Council to improve facilities, following concerns that customers were struggling to find somewhere to park when visiting the shopping parade.
Now additional bays will be created in the service road alongside the north side of the Chester Road. These are expected to be completed by the end of next month.
To limit disruption, construction will then stop in the run-up to Christmas and restart on January 5.
The second phase of the £1.3m project will see road narrowing work to reduce the speed of traffic and alterations to pedestrian crossings. Ageing street lighting and traffic signals will also be replaced as part of the improvement work.
Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “We’ve listened carefully to residents and businesses in the area and this project is about making this part of a busy section of the Chester Road a space for people and not just a place for movement of traffic.
“The works will encourage lower traffic speeds and will better meet the needs of pedestrians and cyclists to feel safe moving through the area.”
A previous study conducted by the council claimed that 90 per cent of residents were in favour of the development. Work is expected to be complete by the end of March.
For more information, visit www.solihulll.gov.uk/hurstlaneplace.