The second phase of works on the cross-city Sprint bus route linking Walsall, Birmingham and Solihull is set to get under way later this year, transport chiefs have announced.
The first phase, which saw bus lanes, priority junction upgrades and new shelters installed along the route was completed in time to transport spectators to and from sporting venues during last summer's Commonwealth Games.
The second phase will see further work along the route to complete the infrastructure ready for the introduction next year of articulated zero-emission buses on a continuous route following completion of this next phase.
This will begin with some work in Birmingham, including the upgrade of the Trinity Road and Newtown Middleway junction on the A34, and an extension of the westbound bus lane on the A45. Consultation over these works has now commenced and will run until March 24.
Sandeep Shingadia, director of strategic partnerships and delivery integration with Transport for West Midlands, said: "Research shows that more people would get the bus if the services were reliable and frequent which is why we have designed the Sprint cross-city bus route.
"When complete, this will create a single non-stop bus route linking Walsall and Solihull town centres via Birmingham and, thanks to the dedicated lanes and priority at junctions, passengers will know their bus will get them to their destination on time."
Sprint's second phase is being funded through an £88 million contribution from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and developed by Transport for West Midlands.
The project has been developed with the hope of making bus travel a more convenient and attractive alternative to the car, helping to reduce traffic congestion and contributing towards climate change targets.
