Red routes
The economic cost of traffic congestion in the West Midlands increased from £2.3 billion in 1999 to £2.5 billion in 2006. The cost is not restricted to an economic problem, but to the many increasing problems road users face, such as long delays, unpredictable and unreliable journey times, accidents and environmental problems. Red Routes provide a solution to these problems by improving the flow of traffic, increasing the reliability of our journeys by both car and bus, making travel better for everyone.
What is a red route?
Red Routes were first developed in London in the early 1990s and have now expanded to provide coverage to over 500 kilometres of London's road network.
They are designed to prevent driver and parking behaviour that significantly reduces the efficiency of the highway network and to improve journey times and reliability. Red Routes are not 'mini-motorways' and do not impose 'blanket' no stopping restrictions, they actually provide improved facilities for legal parking and loading. The main characteristics of a Red Routes scheme can be summarised as follows:
- Red Routes allow us to ensure that we make the most effective use of the road space available to improve travel for people and goods.
- Red Routes use a combination of measures including junction improvements, providing designated parking and loading areas and greater levels of enforcement of illegal and inappropriately parked vehicles to ensure improved traffic conditions at busy parts of the network.
- Parking for the disabled is provided where it is required and can be accommodated.
- In some cases additional off-street parking can be provided to maintain access to frontages on a Red Route.
Benefits
Red Routes provide many distinct benefits:
- Improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists and general traffic
- Journey time reductions
- Improved journey time reliability
- Lower and standardised kerb heights at crossings to benefit the mobility impaired
- Environmental benefits such as reduced traffic noise and fumes
- Providing a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and cyclists
- Positive effect on frontage businesses as it is easier for people to park legally
The West Midlands Red Routes Network
The West Midlands Local Transport Plan outlines the policies for the introduction of the Red Routes network in the West Midlands. Over the next seven years (2004-2011) it is intended to implement the West Midlands Red Routes network in phases. In Walsall some of the routes that are likely to be included in the first phase are the A34 and the A4148 (Walsall Ring Road). All routes will be subject to public consultation before they are progressed for implementation.
Visit the West Midlands Red Route website
Contact us
Engineering and Transportation Services
2nd Floor
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG
Telephone 01922 650000
Email EngineeringServices@walsall.gov.uk