Severe winter weather has caused major disruption across Birmingham and the Black Country's bus network, with treacherous icy conditions forcing the diversion or cancellation of numerous services.
Widespread Disruption on Key Routes
National Express West Midlands has confirmed that around 15 bus services are currently affected by the dangerous road conditions on Friday, January 2. The bus operator is providing passengers with an updated list of changes on the hour to help them plan their journeys.
The problems are not limited to the bus network. There are also reports of a significant collision involving half a dozen vehicles on Rockly Lane in Perry Barr, close to the junction with Lavendon Road. Meanwhile, The Holloway in Bartley Green has been described as too icy for cars to pass safely.
Full List of Affected Bus Services
The following routes were experiencing diversions or could not complete their normal journeys as of 11am on Friday. Passengers are advised to allow extra time for travel and check for further updates.
Services 2/2A (Merry Hill - Wrens Nest): Buses are using The Broadway and Summer Road in both directions.
Service 5 (West Bromwich - Sutton Coldfield): Buses are missing Collingwood Drive and diverting down Queslett Road both ways.
Service 8 (Walsall - Lichfield): Buses are terminating at the Swan Island.
Service 13 (Birmingham - Blackheath): Using Wolverhampton Road, Queensway to Brandhall Interchange. Due to a closure on Salop Road, buses are using Pottery Road, Norman Road, and Hurst Road.
Service 18 (Yardley Wood - Bartley Green): Unable to serve Holloway. In both directions, buses are diverting from Northfield High Street.
Service 19 (Dudley - Q.E. Hospital): Buses are missing out Wisley Way.
Service 24 (Birmingham - Woodgate Valley North): Buses continue to use Quinton Road. Highfield Lane is not being served.
Service 28 (Heartlands Hospital - Great Barr): Diverted down Kingstanding, College Road, Aldridge Road and Beeches Road.
Service 35 (Birmingham - Hawkesley): Diverting via Parsons Hill and Masshouse Lane. Hillmeads Road is not served.
Service 45 (Birmingham - Longbridge): Diverting along Green Lane. Tunnel Road and Trevol Road are not served.
Service 48 (West Bromwich - Hawkesley): Diverted down Weoley Castle Road, Castle Road up to Bristol Road, then Bristol Road.
Service 49 (Solihull - Rubery, Great Park): Diverting via Parsons Hill and Masshouse Lane. Hillmeads Road is not served.
Service 61 (Birmingham - Frankley): Not serving Holly Hill Road and Frogmill Road. Buses divert down New Street to/from the Holly Hill shops terminus.
Service X21 (Birmingham - Bartley Green): Using Castle Road and Weoley Castle Road. Beckbury Road is not served.
Service X22 (Birmingham - Bartley Green): Using Clapgate Lane. Jiggins Road is not served.
Advice for Passengers
With roads across the region reportedly "turned into ice rinks," the advice from transport officials is to travel only if absolutely necessary. National Express West Midlands is urging all passengers to check its website or social media channels for the very latest information before setting out, as the situation remains fluid.
The disruption highlights the significant impact that sudden cold snaps can have on public transport infrastructure in the West Midlands. Commuters and other travellers are facing lengthy delays and should prepare for the possibility of further service changes throughout the day.
