No images? Click here Sprint: Bus priority corridors for reliable, greener and better connected journeysNewsletter - September 2021 Welcome to the September 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 Sprint shelter naming engagement continues We’re continuing our online engagement to encourage local people, and bus passengers, to suggest names for certain Sprint stops. Most stops along the route are in pairs - one on each side of the road. The name is usually the same for both stops and this helps to make it easier for passengers to navigate the route, whichever direction they’re travelling in. However, some pairs of stops are a significant distance apart. The stops at Livingstone Rd in Perry Barr for example are around 200m apart and community feedback has shown that Livingstone Rd may not be the most appropriate name for the Birmingham bound shelter. This does give an opportunity for local communities and bus passengers to get involved by suggesting their alternative names for certain stops. Like all transport authorities, TfWM has to abide by specific naming criteria which have to be met for all bus stops. Take a look on the Sprint website for a more detailed explanation of how we’ve named our bus stops along the Sprint corridor and how you can make your naming suggestions known. We’ll consider any promising suggestions and announce any changes we may make in October. Phase one work set to begin in Solihull Preparation work has started for the first phase of Sprint in Solihull. 11 new shelters and enhanced stops are being constructed in time for the Commonwealth Games next summer. Phase one also includes some minor civils work as part of the Sprint stop improvements. Letters have been sent to local residents and businesses along the route with more detailed notifications sent to residents giving details of specific activity as work progresses. A further eight stops with improved shelters are planned, once funding for a second phase of Sprint works is secured. 15 new shelters have now been installed along the Sprint corridor, 10 of which are already in service. 75% of utility works that are required for the shelter installation are also now complete. All new Sprint shelters meet the Local Authority’s highway safety criteria and include CCTV cameras. Up to 95 enhanced bus shelters designed specifically to improve both the comfort and safety of bus users will be introduced along the corridor – granting easy access to vehicles, reducing bus stopping times and allowing for more reliable onward travel. Construction update Construction is now underway along the entire Sprint corridor, from Solihull all the way to Walsall town centre. Resurfacing works on the A45 Coventry Road between Heybarnes Circus to Swan Island towards Birmingham airport, will take place during the week beginning 27th September with both daytime and overnight lane closures in place. On the inbound side, towards Birmingham city centre, a barrier is being installed from Gilberstone Avenue to Swan Island to enable A45 widening works to begin along that part of the route. Two lanes will be closed along this stretch for the duration of the works. Clearly signposted diversion routes are in place. There will also be a full closure of the A45 between Haybarnes Circus and Poets Corner during the half term school holiday at the end of October. Overnight resurfacing work is also due to begin in October along the A34 between Perry Barr station and the Scott Arms junction. Further details will be sent to residents and businesses along that stretch of the A34 nearer the time. 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 The Sprint Construction teams on both the A34 and A45 have been donating clothes, toys and toiletries for the Afghan refugees, and colleagues have also donated money to enable us to buy essential items for children such as shoes. Our supply chain have also been very generous. We’re continuing the collection until the end of September. Donations will then be distributed in our area to those that need our support. Colas - our A34 contractor in Sandwell and Walsall - have been supporting the Slaters Lane Allotments in Walsall with a donation of pavement slabs and wooden pallets. These will put to good use on a polytunnel project as well as helping with the upkeep of the allotment site. Planned activity next month · Our online Sprint stop naming engagement continues online · Continuing shelter installation work · Tree installation begins along the Sprint route in Birmingham · Resurfacing work begins 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. 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