Birmingham Council previously said transforming the city’s transport is ‘fundamental to meeting future challenges’
Alexander Brock Local Democracy Reporter
16:25, 15 Oct 2025
Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport and environment(Image: Martin O’Callaghan/Birmingham Live)
Birmingham City Council’s transport boss has defended cycle route plans despite more than two-thirds saying they “really disliked” the proposals in a consultation.
The Labour-run authority wants to build cycle provision along a section of the A45 Coventry Road as it looks to reduce dependency on private vehicles.
It would connect with an existing scheme that links the city centre with Oldknow Road – providing a continuous route out to Swan Island in Yardley.
READ MORE: Birmingham shopping centre set to be partially demolished as Lidl wins planning appeal
The council said earlier this year that the plans would increase ‘active travel’ along the A45 corridor; help decarbonisation efforts and reduce collisions for pedestrians and cyclists.
But a council report revealed recently that a majority who responded to a public consultation earlier this year were opposed to the plans.
“Overall, when asked to select their feelings towards the proposals, 26 per cent of respondents were positive in their response to the proposals,” it said.
“However, 68 per cent of respondents state they really dislike the proposal.”
Concerns raised during the consultation included existing issues with parking and delays to journey times by private vehicle.
A visualisation of the proposed Birmingham cycle route on A45 Coventry Road. Taken from consultation page.
Speaking at a meeting this week, Conservative group leader Robert Alden said: “The fear here is that we’re rushing ahead with a scheme that doesn’t have public support.”
Coun Majid Mahmood, the Labour cabinet member for transport, acknowledged the backlash during the public consultation.
“172 were opposed, 50 were neutral and 66 were supportive,” he said. “That’s 172 out of a possible area that would cover tens of thousands of people that could have come back to us.”
Addressing particular concerns, he added overall capacity on the road would remain the same and said only 12 parking spaces would be lost.
“Council officers are already speaking to organisations in the area to resit the parking there,” he said.
READ MORE: Birmingham’s 3,500 home regeneration scheme for ‘forgotten’ estate set for approval
Coun Mahmood also said the project would bring numerous benefits to the area, which could include upgraded pedestrian and cycle crossings; additional cycle parking; and more places to sit and relax.
“There’s going to be continued engagement with local residents through to the full business case,” he said.
“As part of the detailed design, comments will be reviewed and where possible changes will be introduced to the proposals to address the lack of support received,” the report added.
‘Current transport does not meet citizens’ needs’
The city council has previously said that transforming the city’s transport was “fundamental to meeting the challenges of the next decade and beyond”.
“Economic, population and housing growth will create additional demand for travel, which cannot be accommodated via ongoing car dependence,” the council said.
“The current transport system does not meet the needs of citizens, with those in the greatest need unable to access jobs, education and other essential services.
“Responding to the climate emergency requires significant reductions in carbon emissions from transport, which cannot be achieved without a wholesale shift towards public transport and active modes.”
Birmingham City Council House(Image: Alexander Brock)
Against this backdrop, cabinet members at the council approved the outline business case for the delivery of the proposals at an estimated cost of £14.3m at a meeting yesterday, October 14.
External ring-fenced grant funding has been allocated for the project.