BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONED ON THE DEMOCRACY OF THIER CONSULTATIONS
- Charlie Laughton-Peake
- Oct 22, 2021
- 3 min read
Kings Heath residents say the Council are causing "conflict and disruption" amongst schemes to reduce traffic and pollution, against concerns.

So Far:
Kings Heath's low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) was first implemented in early October 2021. A year later, plans have arisen for additional modal filters (Road BLocks) to be erected, with consultations being carried out by the council and their transport planning team.

The community have seen a decrease in the amount of pollution and traffic on the roads where the calming measures are in place. However, roads leading off are seeing a build up of traffic and pollution and even greater; unsettled residents.
Andy Gudge, 68, a local resident against the LTN scheme, said: "I live on one of the feeder roads (Vicarage Rd) along the edge of the LTN, and the congestion and pollution as well as on a more minor level the inconvenience, have got significantly worse since phase one of the LTN scheme.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to calming the traffic, I'm not opposed to reducing the traffic or encouraging more people to walk and to cycle, but I reckon the modal filters idea is totally the wrong way to do it. All it is doing is causing conflict and disruption.
If they (Birmingham City Council) moved quickly to bring in more traffic calming ensures, more one way streets, improving public transport, I'd have no argument with it at all
"our understanding is that the majority of businesses in the area are opposed to the scheme. Its driving people away from kings heath because of the traffic congestion and difficulty parking.
"I'd like to think another government or another council would revive kings heath. I've lived here for over 40 years and I'm very fond of the place and would hate to see it become derelict, but at the moment that looks awfully promising."
Rebecca Hawthorne, Transport Planner at Birmingham City Council, says she is "passionate" about sustainable transport
"We were hampered a bit by circumstance, meaning we weren't able to do a consultation by our usual standards.
"Initially, the scheme came about as a part of some emergency covid measures that we had some money from the government back in 2020.
"The condition of the funding plus the fact we had a pandemic going on we had to deliver them very quickly which meant we weren't able to follow fully our normal consultation process
"We don't want to be cutting the freedom of somebody who relies on their car to get out and about but at the same time, if there is somebody for example with sight loss then they're reliant on walking or public transport."
A 78-year-old resident wished to remain anonymous, but had strong opposing views against the councils proposals and the way they conducted their consultation.
"all they have to do is look at what life is like in Holland, where they have achieved exactly what these lot are pretending they want to achieve.
"All it does is walk everywhere or get on a bike; I'm 78, so there is no alternative for me, other than 'pop our clogs dear we don't want you!'
"I don't think they have ever heard the word democracy. I think they have forgotten that they were voted in and they are supposed to be representing us, not pushing us around, and we don't like it!
"for a city like this, the bus system is poor. They don't have priority bus lanes into the city!
"Kings Heath used to have such a range of shops, you didn't have to go to retail parks. But now look at it, it's just pubs, betting shops and take-aways."
Despite the needs for a stronger and healthier environment, residents remain at war with the council over their town, who's future remains unknown.
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