Chester Road Smart Route Study

Do you work, shop or live near the Chester Road? Perhaps you travel on it to get to work or you come to visit family or friends in the area on a regular basis? If so, then read on, we want to hear your views.

What are we doing?

We are conducting a study to understand how the Chester Road works. We need to look at how the route is used by different users and whether they experience any problems on the Chester Road.

For the local community, Chester Road provides access to many aspects of daily life such as:

• Homes
• Shops
• Schools
• Healthcare facilities
• Community spaces/ public open spaces
• Employment.

As well as carrying local traffic, Chester Road provides an important link to the motorway network (M6 and M42). It is therefore used by people travelling by car, motorcycle, HGV and bus as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

The road varies in character significantly throughout its 5 mile length, being a large dual carriageway in some locations, and a much smaller B-road in others. It passes through several local centres, and provides a variety of functions for the communities close to the road. The full length of the route within the Borough of Solihull is being considered as part of this study, from the junction with Hall Road in Castle Bromwich to the Bickenhill Parkway roundabout near the National Exhibition Centre.

Why are we doing this?

Once we understand how Chester Road functions, we will be able develop a programme of schemes and initiatives to improve it. We want to make sure that the improvements we recommend will help and be supported by members of the public, local communities and other key stakeholders (e.g. local businesses, bus operators, emergency services).

What do we want from you?

Quite simply, we want to understand what you think of the Chester Road. As a user of Chester Road or a local resident, you have valuable local knowledge and experience which will help inform the study and ensure that we tackle the right issues.

We need your input to help us identify the issues that are important on the Chester Road. We want to understand any difficulties you face using the Chester Road, walking, cycling, catching the bus, servicing your home or business, driving or parking. We would also like to understand whether there are things you like and don't want us to change - your feedback is vital.

Consultation Events

In September, we will be conducting a series of 'drop in sessions' in which members of the public can discuss the issues with members of the study team and pinpoint 'issues' on a map. Please come along and share your views with us. The details are as follows:

• Wednesday 23 September 2009: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
• Saturday 26 September: 1.00pm - 4.00pm

Both sessions will be held at:

Castle Bromwich Youth and Community Centre
Hurst Lane North
Castle Bromwich
B36 0HD

We are also inviting you to take part in our questionnaire in September. These will be distributed to residents living close to the road and is also available online in the Forms section on the right.

In the mean time, we hope that you will take the opportunity to share your views with us and/or register your interest in receiving regular progress updates on the study.

Contacts - tell us what you think!

Email us: chesterroad@solihull.gov.uk

Or Write to us at:

Chester Road Route Study
c/o WSP Development & Transportation 
One Queens Drive
Birmingham
B5 4PJ

Fax: +44(0)121 352 4701

We will give regular feedback on this website and will let you know your comments have been used to inform the further development of the study.