Birmingham Proposes 20mph Limit and Bus Gate to Tackle Accident Hotspot

A new 20mph speed limit and bus gate could soon be introduced on a busy stretch of road in Birmingham city centre, following almost 60 reported accidents in three years.

The proposed safety measures would cover Vauxhall Road, between Barrack Street and Duddeston Manor Road, outside the BOA Digital Academy. They form part of Birmingham City Council’s wider effort to improve road safety and accessibility in the Vauxhall and Duddeston area.

The council’s plans also include cycle and e-scooter hire facilities, new storage spaces on B4132 Great Francis Street, and three controlled parking zones to tackle congestion and pavement parking.

Addressing High Collision Rates

According to the council, there have been 58 collisions in the area over the past three years — 24 of them along the B4132 corridor, which includes Vauxhall Road, Melvina Road, and Great Francis Street. The route carries an estimated 18,000 vehicles daily, posing risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and students attending the three schools located nearby.

“The high traffic volumes present safety risks for the community,” a council spokesperson said. “High parking demand has also led to widespread pavement parking, with up to 41% of vehicles blocking pedestrian access.”

Key Proposals

• Modal filter on Francis Street (at Duddeston Manor Road) to restrict through-traffic, while maintaining access for walking, wheeling, and cycling

• Bus gate on Vauxhall Road, allowing only buses, cyclists, taxis, and emergency vehicles

• Creation of a Local Travel Point outside shops on Great Francis Street, offering cycle and e-scooter hire, storage, and community services

• Installation of a new zebra crossing on Great Francis Street to improve access to Duddeston railway station

• Raised crossings at Barrack Street, Erskine Street, Hilden Road, Wardlow Road, and Little Hall Road to slow down traffic

• Introduction of three controlled parking zones with resident permits and pavement parking restrictions

  
  

A Shift Toward Sustainable Transport

The proposals align with Birmingham’s transport plan, which calls for “fundamental changes” to how people move around the city in response to the climate emergency.

The council emphasised that private cars “can never match the capacity of mass public transport” and that future investment must focus on making walking, cycling, and public transport the preferred options for most residents.

The public consultation on the Vauxhall and Duddeston road safety project is now open and will close on 1 December.