AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2026 to Impact 48 Bus Routes with Diversions
The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run is scheduled to return on May 3, 2026, bringing an estimated 16,000 runners to the streets of Birmingham city centre. This annual event, which supports charity fundraising, personal goals, and community participation, will necessitate significant travel adjustments to ensure runner safety.
Extensive Road Closures and Bus Diversions Announced
National Express West Midlands has released a comprehensive list of 48 bus services that will face disruptions on the day of the run. These diversions will be in effect from the start of operations until approximately 4pm, with Jennens Road remaining closed until around 6pm. A spokesperson for the transport provider stated, "On Sunday 3rd May 2026, from the start of service until approximately 4pm, with Jennens Road remaining closed until approximately 6pm, there will be multiple road closures in Birmingham as the Great Birmingham Run takes place."
The diversions are designed to reroute buses around closed areas, affecting key streets such as Broad Street, Centenary Square, Colmore Row, and Moor Street. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and check for real-time updates.
Full List of Diverted Bus Routes
Below is the detailed list of affected bus routes and their diversion plans:
- Route 1: Diverted via Alcester Road, Belgrave Middleway, and Five Ways, terminating or starting at Calthorpe Road.
- Routes 2, 3, and 6: Terminate at Digbeth (DS2) via Moat Lane; Moor Street Queensway not served.
- Routes 4 and 4A: Terminate at Digbeth (DS2) via Moat Lane; Carrs Lane and Moor Street Queensway not served.
- Route 5: Terminates at Digbeth (DS2) via Moat Lane; Moor Street Queensway not served.
- Routes 8A and 8C: Diverted around Hockley; Warstone Lane and Vyse Street not served.
- Routes 9, 126, and X10: Diverted via Five Ways to Snow Hill (SQ5); Broad Street, Centenary Square, and Colmore Row not served.
- Routes 12 and 13: Same diversion as 9/126/X10 via Five Ways to Snow Hill; Broad Street, Centenary Square, and Colmore Row not served.
- Route 14: Diverted via Dartmouth Circus and city centre loop; Curzon Street, Cardigan Street, and Jennens Road not served.
- Route 16: Terminates or starts at Moor Street (MS10); Smallbrook Queensway, Station Street, and Upper Dean Street not served.
- Routes 17 and 17A: Terminate at Digbeth (DS2); Park Street and Moor Street not served.
- Routes 23 and 24: Diverted via Five Ways, Bath Row, and Holloway Head; Broad Street, Centenary Square, and Colmore Row not served.
- Route 35: Terminates or starts at Digbeth (DS9); Gooch Street, Sherlock Street, Pershore Street, and Moor Street not served.
- Routes 45 and 47: Diverted via Bristol Road and Bournbrook, terminating at Smallbrook Queensway (NS6); parts of Pershore Road, Moor Street, and Station Street not served.
- Route 50: Terminates or starts at Digbeth (DS9); Moat Lane (Markets) and Moor Street not served.
- Route 60: Terminates or starts at Digbeth Coach Station (DS5); Park Street and Moor Street not served.
- Routes 61 and 63: Terminate or start at Moor Street (MS4); Albert Street and parts of Smallbrook Queensway not served.
- Route 66: Diverted via Dartmouth Circus; Lister Street, Woodcock Street, and Jennens Road not served.
- Route 80: Terminates or starts at Smallbrook Queensway (NS7); Station Street and Upper Dean Street not served.
- Routes 82 and 87: Diverted via Ladywood and Hockley; Colmore Row, Summer Hill Road, and nearby streets not served.
- Routes 94 and 95: Diverted via Dartmouth Circus; Jennens Road not served.
- Routes 97 and 97A: Terminate or start at Digbeth Coach Station (DS5); Moat Lane, Carrs Lane, and Moor Street not served.
- Route 101: Diverted via Hockley to Snow Hill (SQ7); Colmore Row and several Jewellery Quarter streets not served.
- Routes X1 and X2: Terminate or start at Digbeth (DS2A); Park Street, Albert Street, and Moor Street not served.
- Routes X3, X4, X5, and X14: Diverted via Corporation Street, terminating or starting near Priory Queensway.
- Route X8: Same diversion as 9/12/13 via Five Ways to Snow Hill; Broad Street, Centenary Square, Colmore Row, and Edmund Street not served.
- Routes X12 and X13: Diverted via A38M Aston Expressway before rejoining at Bromford Lane.
- Routes X20, X21, and X22: From Birmingham start at Moor Street (MS9) with diversion via Queensway tunnels; some Moor Street and New Street stops not served.
For more detailed information and updates, passengers are encouraged to visit the National Express West Midlands website.
