COMMUTERS travelling by rail from Tamworth are experiencing delays today caused by faults on the rail network.
Delays are expected throughout the day on all serices through Tamworh, both on the lower and upper levels caused by two separate problems around Birmingham New Street and Nuneaton stations.
A signalling problem near Birmingham New Street is causing disruption to trains through the station. Trains from Tamworth are being delayed by up to 30 minutes because of this.
Overhead wire problems near Nuneaton are also causing disruption to journeys between Rugby and Lichfield Trent Valley. This is causing delays on trains through Tamworth lower level.
Motorists in Tamworth Town Centre can expect weeks of delays as the latest improvement works to ‘The Upper Gungate Corridor’ start next week.
Earlier this year, Staffordshire County Council announced a string of improvement works for what is describes as ‘The Upper Gungate Corridor’ and the scheme now moves on to its final stage at the junctions of Lichfield St / Aldergate, Bell Corner and the Offa Drive / Gungate junction.
The Upper Gungate Corridor runs roughly north-south through the Tamworth urban area, carrying traffic from the A513 (along part of the Corridor) and B5493.
The corridor runs from Fountains junction, where Comberford Rd and Ashby Rd meet, along Upper Gungate and Aldergate to Lichfield Street at the western side of the town centre. Estimated cost of the whole project is £1.8 million and is due to be completed by Spring 2015.
The purpose of the scheme is to implement a package of improvements to reduce congestion and provide better highway capacity along this Corridor.
Works to the Upper Gungate / Croft St junction as well as the Fountain Junction were completed earlier in the year and the final stage is due to begin on January 5, lasting approximately 12 weeks.
The plans for the improvements at the junction of Aldergate and Lichfield St. (click to enlarge).
What’s happening at Lichfield St / Aldergate Junction?
It is proposed that the present junction will be widened to the south side of Lichfield St so that traffic can move from Lichfield St to Aldergate and from Aldergate to Lichfield St at the same time. (With the present layout this cannot happen as large vehicles from Lichfield St need to use both sides of the road to get around the corner by the White Lion Public House.) The traffic lights will remain in place and will allow turning traffic to enter Silver Street and exit Church Street and Silver Street when required.
What’s happening at Hospital St / Aldergate (Bell Corner)?
Traffic signal equipment is being upgraded to give better timing control and thereby reduce delays to traffic. These signals will be linked with others along the length of the corridor and co-ordinated to act as a single system.
What’s happening at Offadrive / Gungate Junction?
As at Hospital Street junction, traffic signal equipment is being upgraded to give better timing control and thereby reduce delays to traffic. These signals will be linked with others along the length of the corridor and co-ordinated to act as a single system.
What will the benefits be?
Traffic travelling between Aldergate and Lichfield Street will have a green light most of the time. The only times when this will not be the case is when vehicles wanting to turn out of Silver Street or Church St are detected or pedestrians want to cross the road. When one of these happens, a different phase of the traffic lights will trigger to allow the pedestrians or turning traffic to proceed safely.
What disruption will there be?
The Lichfield Street/Aldergate junction normally operates under traffic signals. During the construction work this will still be the case, however passing through the junction is likely to take longer than usual.
Areas of footway will be closed or restricted at various times during the construction work. Diversions will be signed.
Towards the end of the construction work, there will be local road closures to allow re-surfacing to take place. These will be at quiet times for a short duration.
Comment
If you would like to comment on the scheme or suggest improvements, please contact Neil Porter (01785 276573 - [email protected]) or Guy Pryer (01785 276684 - [email protected] ).
Earlier this year, Staffordshire County Council announced a string of improvement works for what is describes as ‘The Upper Gungate Corridor’. The works, costing an estimated £1.8 million are due to be completed by mid December.
Works that have already started, or due to begin later in the year are expected by locals to cause major traffic complications through the Town, due to the heavy use of the roads.
What the County Council calls ‘The Upper Gungate Corridor’ runs roughly north-south through Tamworth, around the edge of the Town Centre. It carries traffic from the A513 and B5493.
The corridor runs from Fountains junction, where Comberford Rd and Ashby Rd meet, along Upper Gungate and Aldergate to Lichfield Street at the western side of the town centre.
The purpose of the scheme is to implement a package of improvements to reduce congestion and provide better highway capacity along this Corridor.
Works to the Upper Gungate / Croft St junction were completed earlier in the year and the following works remain:
Fountain Junction
The aim of these alterations is to reduce congestion and delays whilst improving road safety. Presently, delays for traffic heading towards Tamworth are caused by vehicles’ exits being blocked. We propose to improve this by widening the Ashby Road approach to accommodate a dedicated right turn lane and by installing a signalised pedestrian crossing. This crossing will be linked to the junction signals, so that pedestrian crossing movements will tie-in with the phasing of the junction traffic lights, to ensure that movements of vehicles and pedestrians are more controlled and efficient.
The puffin crossing will provide safe crossing facilities where they are most needed throughout the day for pedestrians.
Works have recently begun here and are due to last 6-8 weeks.
To see the plans on the County Council website for this section of the works, click here: Fountain Junction Proposals
Aldergate/Lichfield St Junction
At the junction of Aldergate, Church Street, Silver Street and Lichfield Street, the main traffic flow is between Aldergate and Lichfield Street. As a result of the present layout, there is insufficient width at the pinchpoint by the White Lion public house to allow all vehicles to pass in both directions simultaneously. Consequently, there are currently four different traffic-light phases at this junction.
Here, the carriageway will be widened and re-aligned to allow the Aldergate and Lichfield Street traffic to flow at the same time. This will significantly reduce delays at this junction. As at present, the phases to allow traffic to join from Church Street and Silver Street will only come into operation when there are vehicles waiting.
Construction work is expected to take place towards the end of 2014.
To see the plans on the County Council website for this section of the works, click here: Aldergate/Lichfield Street Plan
Aldergate/Hospital Street Junction
Some minor changes are proposed to kerbing and signal settings to reduce congestion.
Upper Gungate/Salters Lane/Offadrive Junction.
Some minor changes are proposed to kerbing and signal settings to reduce congestion.
If you have any questions about the work or, concerns about how the work is being carried out, please contact the County Council Contact Centre on 0300 111 8000, calls charged at local rate or email [email protected]
Improving bus services to Tamworth Railway Station and gaining a better understanding of the needs of passengers are two suggestions put forward by Tamworth Borough Council’s Aspire & Prosper Scrutiny committee.
The committee – chaired by Cllr Tina Clements - had an in-depth discussion about bus services currently operating in Tamworth and ways they could be improved in the future, after which they agreed to form a sub-group to put together a survey of bus use in Tamworth.
The committee is made up of councillors from different political parties and puts issues affecting Tamworth under the spotlight. The new sub-group which will draw up the bus survey is made up of Cllr Andrew James, Cllr Pat Standen and scrutiny committee vice-chair, Cllr Joy Goodall.
Cllr Andrew James presented a report on public transport, focusing on the number of bus services operating in and around Tamworth, and looking at how many went via the railway station.
Cllr James said: “We have seen an increase in the number of buses which have a direct link to the railway station. Ten of the 31 buses now stop there – a number which has increased during the past two years - providing a valuable service for commuters.
“Despite this, there are still a number of areas which do not have a direct link. I would be keen to find out if passengers would like more direct buses to the station and also to look at the number of people using the different services across Tamworth.”
Belgrave, Coton Green, Hockley, Kerria Centre, Perrycrofts, Stonydelph and Wilnecote do not currently have a direct bus link.
Cllr Tina Clements, Chairman of the Aspire and Prosper Scrutiny Committee, said: “Tamworth has an excellent bus service across the borough and I would like to thank the companies which provide these.
“However, we would like to look further at what is available and get feedback from those people who currently use the buses and those who do not. We want to find out more information about what residents want from the service and how it could be improved in the future. Public transport provides a vital lifeline for thousands of people and we want to make sure what we have available is right for our residents.”
The committee also heard that there are between 2.2 million and 2.6 million train journeys to and from Tamworth Railway Station every year – and improving bus services to the station could help residents access better employment opportunities.
This is in line with the council’s ‘aspire and prosper’ priority, which includes raising aspiration and attainment levels. Using public transport also has a number of health benefits.
Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision on the M42 Northbound, between junction 3 and 3A, Warwickshire, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The collision happened at approximately 12:50am and involved 3 vehicles.
The fatality involved a man in his late 70’s and a women believed to his wife.
Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident 009 of 14th July 2014.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the northbound carriageway of the M42 between junctions 3 and 3a, near Beoley, shortly before 1.00am. Two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The occupants of one car, a man and a woman, were both seriously injured and were in cardiac arrests.
“Sadly, despite attempts at advanced life support by ambulance crews and the medic, nothing could be done to save them and both were confirmed dead on scene.
“The driver of the second car, a man in his 50s, sustained a chest injury. He was extricated from the car with help from the fire service. The man was taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for further treatment.
“The driver of the third car was uninjured and didn’t require hospital treatment.”
The Birmingham Tunnels will be completely closed completely from this Friday for a second year of essential improvement works.
If you travel from Tamworth, to or through Birmingham City Centre , this will affect you so it is important that you plan ahead.
The A38 St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels through Birmingham will be completely closed to all traffic from 10pm on Friday 18 July until 6am on Monday 1 September 2014.
The closure was preceded by two weeks of overnight closures, from 10pm to 6am, and followed by up to four weeks of similar overnight closures.
The A38 tunnels through Birmingham are over 40-years-old and had never had a full restoration. Last year, essential refurbishment work started in order to bring them up to modern European standards.
This year, the upgrade to the tunnels will be completed. During this second phase, works will include renewing the ventilation system, installing new security and communications systems, replacing electrical systems and refurbishing pumping stations and plant rooms.
A map showing the route of the closures
This work will bring the tunnels right up-to-date with some of the most modern technology available, meaning they can be better managed to keep traffic flowing through Birmingham.
This technology will include cameras that can detect vehicles causing obstructions, variable message signage (VMS) that can warn motorists of incidents inside the tunnel, response systems to control emergency exit doors to ensure people escape into safe areas and not live traffic lanes and PA and radio rebroadcast systems for emergency announcements.
To upgrade the ventilation system, the existing fans will be removed and replaced with 25 modern jet fans. These will be connected to the Air Quality Monitoring system that was installed last year as well as the emergency fire response systems which can be activated to remove smoke from the tunnel in the event of a fire.
As well as the fans, they will be installing and connecting:
- 27 PA speakers,
- 21 CCTV cameras
- 32 vehicle detection cameras
- 48 emergency phones
- 4 digital variable message signs
- Over 160 emergency way-finder signs
- 7 controlled evacuation doors
- Over 40 miles of electrical cabling needed to run the new systems
Why do the tunnels need to close again?
There will be approximate 120 people in the tunnels at any one time and works will be ongoing 24 hours-a-day over the six-week closure period.
To facilitate the challenging tasks, amount of equipment and the number of people, as well as provide all the welfare requirements (Toilets, break facilities etc) needed, it would be extremely difficult to complete the works without the full closure.
The night closures before and after the block closure will be used to carry out preparatory works and to test and fully commission all the new technology and electrical systems.
Commuters on the M6 had a difficult rush hour this morning after six people ended up needing the ambulance service following two separate collisions on the northbound and southbound carriageways.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a four car road traffic collision on the northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 3a shortly after 7.30am this morning. A senior paramedic officer and four ambulances attended the scene.
The second incident came into the ambulance service at 7.50am, this time on the southbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 2. A paramedic area support officer and an ambulance were sent.
Fire and Rescue help to free a driver from a vehicle on the M6 this morning.
Image thanks to WMAS.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find four cars, each with one occupant inside, on the northbound carriageway which had been involved in a collision.
“Ambulance staff worked to assess each patient carefully and whilst no one suffered serious injuries, all four patients sustained neck pain. One woman had to be extricated with help from the fire service due to the damage caused in the collision before being immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board and taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
“The three other patients, two women and a man, were immobilised by crews before one woman was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and the remaining two patients were taken to George Eliot.
“In a separate collision on the opposite carriageway, ambulance staff treated a man and a young girl. Upon assessment, the man was found to have sustained neck pain and once immobilised he was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. The young girl didn’t require hospital treatment.”
The M6 Northbound, towards Tamworth remains closed this afternoon following a collision in the early hours in which a driver lost their life.
The collision occurred between junctions four and five, northbound, just after 4.55am.
West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, a paramedic area support officer and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene. The police and the fire service were also in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a car and a lorry that had been in a serious collision, the impact of which caused the lorry to roll over.
“The passenger of the car suffered multiple serious injuries. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
“The driver of the car, a man reported to be in his 30s, managed to free himself from the vehicle and although appearing to have escaped uninjured, was taken to City Hospital, Birmingham, as a precaution.
“The lorry driver, believed to be in his 50s, was assisted out of his vehicle by a member of the public who had stopped to offer support.
“Following assessment from ambulance staff, the man was immobilised, treated for fractured ribs and given pain relief before being taken to Hartlands.”
The M6 remains closed and traffic is being diverted onto M42 where you can head south to pick up the M5 north; or head north up M42 to use M1 and A50. Another alternative is the M6 Toll road.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Central Motorway Policing Group on 101.
The Birmingham Tunnels will be completely closed again this summer for a second year of essential improvement works. Overnight closures begin Tomorrow.
If you travel from Tamworth, to or through Birmingham City Centre between 10pm and 6am, this will affect you so it is important that you plan ahead.
The A38 St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels through Birmingham will be completely closed to all traffic from 10pm on Friday 18 July until 6am on Monday 1 September 2014.
The closure will be preceded by two weeks of overnight closures, from 10pm to 6am,which begin Tomorrow, Friday July 4th.
The A38 tunnels through Birmingham are over 40-years-old and had never had a full restoration. Last year, essential refurbishment work started in order to bring them up to modern European standards.
This year, the upgrade to the tunnels will be completed. During this second phase, works will include renewing the ventilation system, installing new security and communications systems, replacing electrical systems and refurbishing pumping stations and plant rooms.
A map showing the route of the closures
This work will bring the tunnels right up-to-date with some of the most modern technology available, meaning they can be better managed to keep traffic flowing through Birmingham.
This technology will include cameras that can detect vehicles causing obstructions, variable message signage (VMS) that can warn motorists of incidents inside the tunnel, response systems to control emergency exit doors to ensure people escape into safe areas and not live traffic lanes and PA and radio rebroadcast systems for emergency announcements.
To upgrade the ventilation system, the existing fans will be removed and replaced with 25 modern jet fans. These will be connected to the Air Quality Monitoring system that was installed last year as well as the emergency fire response systems which can be activated to remove smoke from the tunnel in the event of a fire.
As well as the fans, they will be installing and connecting:
- 27 PA speakers,
- 21 CCTV cameras
- 32 vehicle detection cameras
- 48 emergency phones
- 4 digital variable message signs
- Over 160 emergency way-finder signs
- 7 controlled evacuation doors
- Over 40 miles of electrical cabling needed to run the new systems
Why do the tunnels need to close again?
There will be approximate 120 people in the tunnels at any one time and works will be ongoing 24 hours-a-day over the six-week closure period.
To facilitate the challenging tasks, amount of equipment and the number of people, as well as provide all the welfare requirements (Toilets, break facilities etc) needed, it would be extremely difficult to complete the works without the full closure.
The night closures before and after the block closure will be used to carry out preparatory works and to test and fully commission all the new technology and electrical systems.
As the number of potholes across Tamworth appears to have multiplied over the recent winter the government has awarded extra money to sort the issue.
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth and surrounding villages, welcomed the news of additional funding for Staffordshire County Council to tackle pot holes across the county and Tamworth.
In total £6.7million of additional funding for Staffordshire Highways Authority has been announced for this year on top of the annual roads maintenance budget.
Commenting Mr Pincher said: “I hear from many residents across the town and rural communities that they are not happy with the state of the roads and I trust that this new funding will go a long way to dealing with the maintenance of potholes and poor road surfaces.”
“Investing in our roads and infrastructure is a key part of our long-term economic plan as we continue to support business and ensuring that Tamworth becomes the place to do business.”
In total, £6.7million of additional funding for Staffordshire Highways Authority has been announced for this year on top of the annual roads maintenance budget.
Where have you spotted the worst pot hole in Tamworth? Will this be enough to sort it?
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