Action Briefing Apr 2004 - May 2004
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Roundabout round the bend

Birmingham City Council have suddenly (in mid March) started to build a roundabout at the end of Quinton Road at its junction with Harborne Lane, Metchley Lane and Vincent Drive.

The effect will be to ensure car traffic moves without ever stopping, making this a complete no-go area for pedestrians. This seems a bit daft : a number of bus routes meet there; it is the major pedestrian and cycle access to University Station; and the Lazy Fox pub and some shops are located nearby.

Only one mature tree was cut down but what was once open space will now be in the middle of a roundabout. Meanwhile, on the Bristol Road (which has a 30 mph speed limit), huge billboard-style direction signs, suitable for high speed traffic, have been erected as part of an improvement scheme.

John Hall