No images? Click here Sprint: Bus priority corridors for reliable, greener and better connected journeysNewsletter - October 2021 Welcome to the October issue of our Sprint newsletter. Headlines this month: Carry on reading for further information on these stories or for more details of the Sprint project visit tfwm.org.uk/sprint Tree planting programme underway Our extensive tree planting programme – a key environmental commitment of the Sprint project - has now started with 10 trees of different varieties planted at George’s Park in Birmingham. Year 2 school pupils from the nearby Anglesey Primary school accompanied Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Cabinet member for Transport and the Environment, to help plant an initial batch of ten trees and these will be followed by a series of fruit trees in the same park to form a small, local orchard. More than 1,000 trees in total will be planted on or near to the Sprint corridor during the tree planting season, which runs until March, when roots are dormant and new trees have the best chance of flourishing. This will add to our Sprint canopy commitment to create a green legacy, with every tree planted bringing benefits for the environment and our local communities. We have already engaged widely with local councillors and residents and received suggestions of where the planting of trees will help enhance our local parks and open spaces. We will also plant trees along the A34 and A45 where 22 trees lining the route were removed earlier this year. 12 replacement trees have already been planted in Walsall adjacent to the A34. This was carried out by the council as mitigation for the four trees that were removed in early 2021 as part of phase one of Sprint works in Walsall. CCTV cameras in all Sprint stops CCTV cameras are being installed in all Sprint shelters to help improve passenger safety and security and to deter anti-social behaviour at stops. Images record activity in and around the shelter only, are accessed remotely with data stored for 31 days. Captured images are only stored for longer if an incident is identified and if required to assist an enquiry or to provide evidence. Cameras will be routinely maintained to ensure they are always operational and provide reliable picture quality. Information for passengers on the use and restrictions of CCTV will be displayed in all Sprint shelters. Although local residents have been informed that shelters will have static cameras installed, we plan to engage further with householders over the use of CCTV in shelters that are in close proximity to properties or businesses. All new Sprint shelters meet the Local Authority’s highway safety criteria. In all up to 95 enhanced bus shelters designed specifically to improve both the comfort and safety of bus users are being introduced along the corridor – granting easy access to vehicles, reducing bus stopping times and allowing for more reliable onward travel. 76 shelters are being installed as part of phase 1 with 33% now in place along the route with over 75% of utility works that are required for the shelter installation, also complete. Construction update Resurfacing works on the A45 has meant the full overnight closure of the Small Heath bypass between Poets Corner and Heybarnes Circus between 8pm and 6am. Clearly signed diversion routes are in place. Essential drainage work had also started along the A34 between Rocky Lane and the Scott Arms junction and this requires overnight lane closures northbound on the Walsall road. Further details, along with parking advice during the overnight closures, have already been sent to residents and businesses along that stretch of the A34. Clearly signed diversion routes are in place. You can find out more up to details of our Sprint construction works by visiting the Transport for West Midlands Sprint Page. We’ll continue to monitor traffic management on both the A34 and A45, liaising regularly with the Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC) and our contractors to minimise disruption. In brief – Sprint teams making a difference Warwickshire County Council has sent a letter of thanks to our construction teams for the donations made to help resettle Afghan refugees. Our Sprint construction teams on both the A34 and A45 donated clothes, toys and toiletries and helped distribute to families recently arrived from Afghanistan and in need of support. The Colas site team - our A34 contractor in Sandwell and Walsall - have made donations of food and toiletries to the Ablewell Advice Centre in Walsall. The centre acts as a distribution point for the Black County Food Bank, who offer support to local people experiencing temporary difficulties. Planned activity next month · Continuing shelter installation work · Further tree installation along the Sprint route in Birmingham · Resurfacing work along the A34 between Perry Barr station and the Scott Arms junction. You’re up to date!Thanks for taking the time to stay updated on the Sprint project. We’ll keep you updated with further information relating to the scheme and the ongoing construction, on our Sprint website where you’ll find regular news and construction updates. If you have any specific enquiries, please contact our customer services team: Tel: 0345 303 6760, option 2, then option 3. Please contact us if you require material provided in an alternative language. You can request hard copies or a different format,of this newsletter by using the contact details shown above. 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