Delays Expected to Outer Circle Bus Route Service 11

Travel West Midlands today warned that there will be likely delays to the number 11 Outer Circle bus route in the New Year. Major road works affecting the Outer Circle service commencing 10th January 2005 are being planned by Birmingham City Council.Information received from the City Council suggests that these road works could last for up to 12 weeks. Lordswood Road, a 0.6 mile stretch of the A4040 just south of the Hagley road will be closed to northbound traffic for resurfacing work. The 11A will be able to proceed along its usual route (albeit with no bus stopping facilities within the roadwork’s section) whilst the 11C must divert up Court Oak Road to eventually turn right onto the Hagley Road (at the Wolverhampton Road traffic lights) and then left into Bearwood Road to resume its normal line of route (the diversion being a total of 2.1 miles).Phil Bateman Divisional Corporate Affairs Director said today "TWM are promised a right turn filter to assist our manoeuvre onto the Hagley Road, which is essential for safety reasons. Due to the length of the diversion and the anticipated congestion (especially at the beginning of the road work contract) there is likely to be ongoing disruption to the 11C service.It is clear that there is some anticipation that there will be some heavy delays to service especially during peak periods. I am hoping that this early information to bus passengers will help them to prepare for longer journey times and some delays to the published timetable. We do apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by this essential maintenance work undertaken by the City Council."The 11 Service is one Britain’s longest bus routes with 45 buses operating the route, carrying 50,000 passengers daily. Recently brand new Wright’s Gemini Buses have been added to the route replacing the hard working Metro Buses that served the City so well over the last 20 years.The first tranche of eighteen brand new buses were launched onto the 11 service on the 4th October, as part of a £6.5m investment by TWM.By the end of 2004 a total of 45 new double-deck Geminis will be running on the route.

Published 28th December 2004