Cars could be banned from Birmingham city centre for some journeys

The recently drafted Birmingham Transport Plan suggests drivers could access the city using designated routes, but would have to return to a ring road to reach other areas.

Other measures include rerouting the central section of the A38 to a ring road and enforcing a 20mph limit on more roads.

The council hope to encourage greater use of public transport and plan on developing land currently occupied by car parking for more productive use.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “Private cars will no longer be king in this city!”

“We have been over-reliant on private cars for too long and with more people choosing to live and work in Birmingham, we need to find innovative new ways to keep the city moving in an efficient but sustainable way.

“The more journeys we take by walking and cycling, the more we will improve air quality and our health, and the more we will reduce congestion. For longer journeys, buses, trams and trains will be the backbone of a new, go-anywhere transport system.”

• 11 ways to reduce your carbon emissions
• Is my car bad for the environment? A guide to vehicle exhaust emissions
• Euro 1 to Euro 6 guide – find out your vehicle’s emissions standard
• Birmingham plans congestion charge by 2020

A Clean Air Zone is planned for July this year as part of the city’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Around 200,000 vehicles pass through the city centre every day, with 25% of all car journeys by residents covering less than a mile.

Air pollution is considered a public health concern in Birmingham and contributes to 900 premature deaths a year in the city.

Birmingham City Council could face a £60m fine from the European Commission if they fail to clean the city’s air in 2020.

If the draft plan is backed by the council’s cabinet on the 21st January, it will then go out to a public consultation on the 28th of January.

Would your commute be affected? Let us know what you think of Birmingham City Council's plans in the comments below.