Solihull is currently introducing a 'Red Route' from Junction 4 of the M42 , along the A34 Stratford Road, through Shirley to Robin Hood Island. There are also plans to include Marshall Lake Road.
The main aims of the scheme are to reduce congestion and accidents by reducing obstructions and known areas of conflict. The proposals will include the replacement of double yellow lines with red lines, closure of some existing service road entry/exit points and central reservation gaps and surface treatments at junctions. The route will be subject to increased enforcement of restrictions to ensure that delays and obstructions are kept to a minimum. The scheme is being progressed and implemented as a demonstration scheme and certain measures will be offered on an experimental basis to provide for evaluation and review of the scheme.
For further information about Red Routes please contact Bob Davis at Solihull Council on 0121 704 6560 or by e-mail: bdavis@solihull.gov.uk

There is a useful website 'RED ROUTES - your questions answered' at:
http://www.westmidlandsltp.gov.uk/red_route/citigate/rr_q_and_as.html

Friends Of The Earth Birmingham have some concerns over the idea at:
http://www.beep.dial.pipex.com/newslet/news0403/STORY_4.HTM

If you have any concerns on this subject you are welcome to use this page to comment on them.

You Said....
Posted Friday, May 14, 2004
To all objectors of the red route, we formed an action committee and our own website, and after a 6 months battle we had the red route kicked out of Dudley. Visit our website on www.noredroute.co.uk
Dean Seymour

Posted Sunday, March 7, 2004
Re the red route Stratford Road Shirley,  in my opinion there was not really a need for the council to cause chaos on the stratford road, there are 6 foot reservations that people rarely walk along complete with 4 foot wooden flower boxes either side of the road, surely a better idea would be to utilise these for bus lanes allowing the traffic to flow.
Walter Savin

Posted Monday, February 16, 2004
RED ROUTE proposal for LODE LANE. The proposed no right-turn from the Seven Stars By-pass into Lode Lane is not as dangerous as the expected right-turn from the by-pass into Hampton Lane going into Solihull. The latter provides bad lane disciplines and an ill-conceived light sequence, whereas the former has the capability for improving lane separation if the lights sequence was permanently enforced to give sufficient time to clear a central box, which sadly it lacks.
David F. Smith

Posted Monday, February 2, 2004
So... more of our tax money is being spent on erasing red lines and restoring them as yellow lines.

 This picture (from outside the community centre)...shows how they identify the lines to be restored! When they announced the red routes and the "consultation" map was displayed, I asked the Council on what basis they decided to "red line" the service roads as I had contacted a number of London Councils where the red routes had been implemented and NONE had red lined service roads and car-parks. They still went ahead and red-lined the service roads and car-parks and now are reversing them at a reported £50,000. What a waste of money. And who is going to admit why they got it so wrong??
Ian C

Posted Sunday, January 18, 2004
The permanent closure of the right hand turns have now taken place - the council and project engineers promised that it was under trial for a period and in that time did not try any alternatives - they know best. They know nothing. The turning at the Stanway Road junction is an accident waiting to happen. The options are now:-
[1 Stratford Road Towards M42]- Left hand turn into Stanway, Straight on, Right turn in Saracens Head, Right U Turn ( as condoned by Solihull Councillor), Right turn into service road ( watching out for reverse parkers - which leave you stranded in middle of main road and dodging cars turning right in Stanway/Exiting Saracens Head)
[2 Stanway Road] Left into Stratford Road, Right into Stratford Road (crossing traffic waiting to turn right), Straight over in to Saracens Head, Straight over then right into service road (again watching out for reverse parkers - which leave you stranded in middle of main road), beware of cars doing u-turn coming out of service road by barclays and wanting to go onto Stratford Road.
[3 Towards Birmingham on Main Road] Turn left into Saracens Head, turn left (again watching out for reverse parkers - which leave you blocking the road and parking on the red lines), turning right into Stanway Road, blocking road, dodging cars exiting Stanway Road, dodging cars turning right into Saracens Head/Service Road, Going Straight On.
[Exiting Saracens Head]Turn left, Straight across road into Stanway, (dodging cars turning right from Main road and those exiting Stanway Road), turning right down Stratford Road, ( blocking Birmingham direction main road if exit blocked, dodging cars turning right from M42 direction, dodging cars coming from Stanway Road.

A simple turning!! The sign to shoppers car park points cars into Saracens Head and not to do the U-Turn, ( advised by Shirley Councillor - but not advisable to actually attempt) or go up the service road to actually access the car park. The right turn into the service road is very tight and dangerous, as people stop on the service road and leave you stranded on he main road. The yellow box just doesn't work. Minibus / coaches with children will turn right, cross/blocking the road this way - dangerous for them, the cars on the main road and pedestrians by the service road.

So there you are - a simple turning!! Solihull Council condone this crossing and in my view have no perception of the danger they have created. Most of them live away from Shirley and don't have to use it. I use it and so do lots of other people I know. Let's hope that somebody from the Council will come and look at the danger zone. The Chair of the Transport committee has been invited by me on a number of occasions to navigate Shirley - but she has not made any of the promised meetings. Still, she doesn't have to put up with this really good achievement ( as per Conservative Leaflet)
 Ian C

Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2004
As a trader i am concerned for the long term existence of the Shopping in Shirley.
If you make it difficult for potential customers to park and shop, they will vote with their feet and go to Solihull or Birmingham.
I totally understand about the congestion that was being experienced before, however the Red Route effectively "funnels" customers past the shops and gives no chance of turning right, if your desired store is on the opposite side of the Stratford Road.
Parking has been disrupted as the parking is not adequate.
Common sense would dictate that if you stop right turns roundabouts at the main junctions should be put in to allow freedom of movement.
An increase in parking would be a sound investment too that is safe and secure.
All that is happening at present is the cars are using the side roads to turn round in and park.
This is making the residential areas more congested, heightening the chance of accidents etc with Children. Was this in the plan?
During the planning stage of The Red route, I don't think it was thought through before going ahead.
With the millions being spent on Shirley Centre, over the next few yrs, making the environment better, will it be money well spent if all the local traders go bust and the large chains pull out?
Surely we we need to be encouraging people like Marks and Spencers, Sainsbury's and Tesco's to stay and new traders like Next etc to invest long term not drive them away.
A worried trader.

Posted Monday, January 12, 2004
And what happens if somebody in Marshall Lake Road want to have visitors?
Where do they park? What if it is in the evening when traffic volume is low?
We all know that the people who make all these sweeping statements about the wonders of the scheme don't have to put up with the problems caused by the Red Routes.
Dave C

Posted Thursday, January 8, 2004
As a resident of Marshall Lake Road I see the disaster that has been put upon the High Street and wait with dread for arrive outside my house. When I went to the consultation (joke) I asked the consultant from Faber Maunsell how they expected to achieve any benefits from a red route when it was clear to all that traffic congestion was as a result of the retail park and the Longmore / Blossomfield traffic light junction, neither of which would be altered.
He responded with platitudes about free flowing traffic and environmental improvements. When I asked him how traffic would flow more freely with the same number of lanes he could not answer the question.
The sad thing is that we all know the council will take no notice of anything we say and they will simply impose their half brained schemes on the people of Shirley then tell everyone how successful it is.
They even have the nerve to say how traffic is flowing better down the Stratford Rd; hardly surprising as no one is bothering to use the shops. Well done SMBC, another fine mess
Tony Haddock

Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2004
Re: Dave's comment, they have always backed up onto the main road BEFORE the red lines were introduced. Perhaps a 'Yellow Box' junction should be painted on the road but I don't expect these drivers to know what that means either!.
Pyro

Posted Sunday, January 4, 2004
Ref Pyro's posting - The main reason they back up is because the council have stopped reasonable access to the huge car park on the opposite side of the road. If they clearly indicated its existence and people could access it safely it would help the congestion into the Red Lion car park.
Dave C

Posted Saturday, January 3, 2004
I see the council DO listen - the service roads are going back to yellow lines !!! It makes sense to have the red lines on the main/side roads only. Pity they can't do anything about the idiots that stop waiting for a space to come free by the Red Lion pub as this quickly backs onto the main road and we all stop!
Pyro

Posted Thursday, December 18, 2003
It seems that some of the red lines are going to have to be removed at the cost of £50,000!!! which is disgraceful mismanagement of our council tax. Yet again, it seems that this Conservative run Council is wasting our time and money. It's time for a change. Bring on the elections.
Mrs Lakin

Posted Friday, November 28, 2003
The reason why it is quite is because the councillors and consultants have decided that the red route scheme in Shirley is so wonderful it can't be bettered. I was told by a high level councillor that we the people of Shirley will just have to live with it. But .. if they are that good surely they will be introduced in Solihull, Knowle, Olton and Berkswell. No Way .....the councillors would not want the grotesque signs and red lines in their area, I wonder why???
John D

Posted Friday, November 28, 2003
Having just visited Shirley, I really think it about time we have red routes status in Knowle and Dorridge. The big red signs and brightly coloured lines would certainly add to the picture book status and allow cars to come through quicker and stop those drivers picking up passengers on the double yellow lines.
John B

Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Once again poor old Shirley is having its neighbour Solihull impose its might on us.
Where are all the Red Lines on the A41 up to Brueton Park. Recent articles are confirming the Stupidity of this scheme but you know Solihull by now dump all the DIY Centres and Supermarkets without any thought of the terrible transportation problems. Solihull has One Supermarket and no DIY centres, yet has some of the Largest provisions of Parking in the Borough and no Red Lines.
Mike Jenks

Posted Thursday, November 20, 2003
I see its gone very quiet on this page now - is it because the red route has turned out to be better than previously thought or have the people opposing them moved house?
Pyro

Posted Wednesday, October 22, 2003
The Shirley Red Route is a farce. Traffic flow is hampered by buses that have to stop on the carriageway because the pull-ins were removed, and the endless traffic lights. OK limiting right turns has helped, but that could have been achieved without red route status. Now they are proposing the same for Blossomfield Rd and Lode Lane?? Madness!
Jeff, Solihull

Posted Monday, October 13, 2003
I went to the bank in Shirley at the weekend and was surprised to see the red lines had been removed but no one seemed to know why. Does anyone know?
Chris. H

Posted Saturday, October 4, 2003
The imposition of the Red Routes has now been with us for a while, and despite the Council and Faber Maunsell stating that they are open to suggestions, very little seems to have changed from day one.
They have not tried alternative right hand turns, they still refuse to sign alternative routes, they are intent on driving people away from Shirley, they still have the heavy handed police and traffic warden presence. I do hope that they will soon implement this in Solihull, Knowle, Olton and Berkswell - perhaps then a larger volume of protests will then show this bureaucratic, big-brother scheme for what it is.
 Another disgruntled Shirley Resident

Posted Friday, September 26, 2003
I live in Birmingham, work in Shirley and spend time in Shirley with my hobby.  As far as I can see the only people who get any benefit from this scheme are people who travel through Shirley rather than the people who live, work and visit Shirley.  I've generally avoided Shirley on a Saturday morning as I get fed up of the number of traffic lights that I have to wait for so I've no idea if this scheme has eased the traffic situation.  Driving to and from work I've not noticed very much difference.  For visitors to Shirley it must be a nightmare as unless you know the back roads how do you work out where to go.  With the previous stance of Solihull to persuade drivers not to use the side roads, but to channel them onto the main roads and in particular the Stratford Road, it seems a bit odd to now try and force local travellers off the Stratford Road and back onto the side roads.  I know there has been a high Police presence during the first phase of this scheme but it's a shame that they have to wait for the red route to book some drivers for illegal parking.  If they drive towards Robin Hood Island I'm sure they'll find several cars parked on double lines but I presume that it doesn't matter at the moment because the lines are yellow and not red.
Bob F


Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Yesterday I witnessed the stupidity of red routes. A delivery of a 3-piece suite was being made to a house on the Stratford Road near to Shakespeare Drive. The van had to park in the service road on the other side of the road, and the delivery men had to run the gauntlet of traffic whilst carrying the furniture pieces across the road. Dangerouus or dangerous?
Could someone explain to me what would happen in the case of a bereavement? Where would the hearse park and the rest of the cortege? Or would the floral tributes have to be thrown on as it passes and the mourners have to run and jump in to moving cars?
Brian W

Posted Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Just drive down the Stratford Road in Shirley.  If you are a local, you must wonder what we have done for the powers that be to transform our town into a Red Hell. Red lines everywhere glaring at us. Signs all over the place telling that we cannot stop at any time. Not the small signs that are associated with yellow lines but really big, horrible signs. On out-of-the-way service roads, car parks, outside churches, big signs telling us not to be naughty.

Visitors to the area must look and think that the residents of Shirley must have been so awful and uncaring by parking all over the place, without regard to others, that the Council and those nice people from the Ministry must punish the locals for their transgressions.

I'm a local, and let me tell you, we aren't any worse at parking than the rest of the people in this country. We are told it is to make things safer. Yes now security guards have to walk away from their vans with lots of cash, we have to try and turn right where cars now travel faster, with no gaps in the traffic, old people cannot be picked up in cars, the shops are losing trade, people will shop elsewhere, it will become a ghost town.

But lets remember that most of the people who applaud this red route system, and put up the grotesque signs and intimidating red lines, don't have to put up with it, they can shop and commute where normal yellow lines and small signs exist.

So as the cars pass through Shirley and don't get held up anymore, and can't see the big red route signs ruining our life, we will travel further to try and get to out destinations, pollute the air, increase the traffic in residential roads and service roads where people once thought they were safe.

Who cares? - the turnings will remain blocked off, the red lines will be kept nice and bright, our town centre will disappear. Ask a local when they have seen a car parked on the main Stratford Road - hardly ever. The main problem is cars weaving from lane to lane, humps in the road, traffic lights in the wrong place, insufficient yellow boxes and a insufficient resources to police the traffic infringements before the red route scheme ( would you believe that the red route scheme is paying some of their overtime!).

If our town centre does disappear then the red line will be superfluous - It can become a 3 lane highway with clearway status as drivers arrive quicker at their fast flowing destinations of Birmingham City Centre or the M42 'snailway'.

So come on Solihull Council. You say you are still reviewing this - big advert in the Solihull News, but still not being pro-active to get peoples' views. Just do a survey, yes REAL consultation, and if the result is that the majority like what you have done, then
advertise it and the locals come to terms with the wonderful job that has been done to turn us into a Red Line district - ( but can't we have smaller signs - or perhaps we will get illuminated signs just to make sure we see them clearly at night).
Ian C

Posted Friday, September 19, 2003
Pyro - So you think the islands will improve matters? If all the signs were all up you may realise that there are car parks where you can park all day - providing you don't want to pick anybody up as you leave or can actually find them or can get back out on the road!!
John D

Posted Thursday, September 18, 2003
Perhaps when the islands are built at Union Rd, Solihull Rd and Haslucks Green Rd it will be easier to turn round and improve the traffic flow even better. The only thing I would criticise the Red Route for is the waiting time have been reduced to 20 Mins - have you ever been into Safeway, Aldi or Woolworths and been back to you car in 20 mins? It should be made 30 Mins

Pyro

Posted Thursday, September 18, 2003
The RED ROUTE is a good idea only if there was alternatives to not being able to turn right. Its OK if you live in the area & know how to turn left, use more fuel, create more pollution & them finish back where you could have been 10 Minutes & 2 miles before.
But people visiting the Shirley area who find they cannot turn right to visit shops ,pubs & social events will just give up, turn around go home & remark what a terrible place this is & never visit the area again .
Who can blame them?
 Jim

Posted Monday, September 15, 2003 at 12:41:02
My only comment is that the red route is one of the worst ideas that the council has ever come up with. I'm 17 and was hoping to learn to drive but this has put me off entirely! Thanks!
Anonamous

Posted Sunday, September 14, 2003
The Red Route impositions on the Stratford Road, Service Roads and Car Parks in Shirley have been with us for a number of weeks, still in "experimental mode" before being cast in stone. The Council state that they are reviewing the situation and are welcoming comments in the review period from all users, including residents.
However there has been little communication from the Council or advertisement in any of the newspapers to remind / encourage people to contribute.
The main news reports have been how the police / traffic wardens have booked lots of cars for illegal parking - in the same places where yellow lines/restrictions existed before - the extra tickets being due to the extra policing and overtime paid for the tax payers! Even the Evening Mail reproduced photographs that were totally misleading in their first report.
Why is there a reluctance on the part of the media to report on the residents and shopkeepers feel about it?
Some positive input from the media, plus a concerted effort by the Council to request views from residents, will enable the whole subject to be properly investigated and reviewed, with the results being openly reported.
Ian C

Posted Wednesday, September 3, 2003
Why are Solihull Council refusing to put explanation signage for navigating right hand turns in Shirley? Drivers are allowed to do a full U turn at the yellow box junction outside the Saracens Head pub!!!
If they can dodge the oncoming traffic.
55 fines in 4 days - all on the service roads where yellow lines were in existence before! - reason for increase - I suppose it is because we are paying for more traffic wardens and police to patrol - lets hope after the initial surge they will still be around to deal with some real crime!!!!
Technic

Posted Monday, September 1, 2003
I was very interested to read in the local paper that police were on the spot ready to pounce on the motorist who stopped or parked on the red zone, red lines. Why then is it that if you report a crime, like, lets say, car crime they have no time or resources to come round and see you, just give you a crime Number and away you go.
Name: R Spicer

Posted Posted Monday, September 1, 2003
IF 'Red Routes' are intended to increase traffic flow? Then 'Traffic Calming' is designed to impede it!
What is the criteria for doing either or doing nothing at all. A short while ago Birmingham council decided to dissuade motorists from driving into Birmingham by narrowing sections of the A34 Stratford Road. How does the idea of Red Routes fit in with this philosophy? Is it a change in attitude or just an opportunity to DO SOMETHING and spend some of the tax payers money.
Peter Clemo

Posted Monday, September 1, 2003
Don't worry Pyro - soon the shops will have to close down due to lack of business - they will bulldoze the lot down and make a three-lane highway and you will be able to get to the city centre in 15 minutes and then find nowhere to park!!!!!
I do hope that they do the same where you live and shop - I notice that the councillor who backs this scheme lives in the rural countryside away from main routes!!!! Shirley Residents only ask for some reasonable approach to car parks and service roads.
Another disgruntled Shirley Resident

Posted Monday, September 1, 2003
Red Routes are all for the benefit of the people driving through Shirley, and none for the people who live in Shirley.
'Pyro' who posted below says 'I drive through Shirley every day', but does he stop and park, does he shop. Probably not.
The faster the traffic drives through Shirley the more likely we are to have accidents with pedestrians. It will just become a 'rat run' for people who want to get through Shirley as soon as possible.
To me the right turns were a benefit because they slowed the traffic down, making it more pedestrian friendly. How long before we read of our first fatality on the Stratford Road in Shirley ?.
Alan Carpenter

Posted Friday, August 29, 2003
I think the Red Routes are great! I drive though Shirley every weekday and find that there are a lot of drivers that either turn right across oncoming traffic or who try to get into a car park that is full or blocked thus trailing back onto the main road and stopping the traffic.
The sooner its done all the way into Birmingham City centre the better.
Pyro

Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Further news - the Solihull News had a phone number to contact the highways dept about concerns regarding the red route. The question was put to them how people were now to access the car park at the rear of the Bank of Ireland, as the car park sign and the turning point at the traffic lights were now no longer available.
The answer given " it is not our responsibility to advise how to access the car park, it is up to the individual driver to ascertain the most appropriate route to the car park ".
HO HO
Fine if you have lived in Shirley for a while - but what about the visitors that the shops are trying to attract?
Ian C

Posted Monday, August 25, 2003
The existing implementation has been railroaded through - no consultation with residents - speeding traffic through at detriment to locals - blocking off turns with no signs of alternative methods of turning - making a service road the main entrance to a main car park with increased risk to pedestrians - closing Car Park at rear of Bank of Ireland for south bound traffic and removing the sign advertising the car park - stopping car drivers picking up frail and elderly relatives in the car park exits - putting red lines on service roads behind Burger King / Aldi - and the likelihood is that people will not visit Shirley, the shops will close (bet Marks and Sparks are happy!!) and they can make a three way highway straight through!!!!!! I hope the planners bought the buckets, which they must have had over the heads, from the "Pound Shop" and kept some of the cost of this project down!! Thank you for thinking of ignoring the residents and failing to consult us.
Ian Carpenter

Posted Monday, July 28, 2003
RED ROUTES say to me 'Keep out of my town' and I think that is exactly what will happen.
This is one step forward three steps back!!. Yet again!!
Rick Spicer