Birmingham Transport Plan decisions ahead as officials review car restrictions

Birmingham transport planners are preparing to set priorities for the next phase of the Birmingham Transport Plan, which includes measures to bar cars from travelling through the city centre, introduce a 20mph default speed limit on residential streets, and create pedestrianised streets linked with public transport and cycleways.

The decisions come as rail's share of peak-hour journeys into the city centre reached 35% in 2025, up from 27% in 2012 and 17% in 2001, while overall public transport volumes remain high with 247 million bus journeys, 65.8 million rail journeys and 9 million tram users recorded in 2024/25.

Operators and stations in focus

Transport for West Midlands coordinates services with National Express West Midlands running most buses, West Midlands Metro operating trams and West Midlands Railway handling trains at the three main stations of New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill. Any adjustments to vehicle access rules will directly affect how these operators manage connections between those stations and surrounding residential areas.

Planners will need to weigh how quickly to extend pedestrian links and cycleways around New Street, the busiest of the stations, while maintaining access for buses and trams that already carry the bulk of daily movements.

Next steps for residents and commuters

Residents can track updates on the Birmingham Transport Plan through Transport for West Midlands channels to understand when 20mph limits or new pedestrian routes may affect specific streets. Commuters relying on rail into New Street, Moor Street or Snow Hill should monitor service adjustments as operators respond to any changes in city-centre access.

Local groups and businesses can submit feedback on proposed sequencing during upcoming consultation windows once Transport for West Midlands publishes its implementation schedule.