Birmingham Buses Reroute for Highway Lighting Work

Birmingham's A38M closes nightly April 30-May 3 for lighting work, diverting six bus routes

A38M Aston Expressway Closes for Lighting Work

Birmingham's A38M Aston Expressway will close nightly for highway lighting work from Thursday, April 30 through Sunday, May 3, 2026, transit officials said. The closure affects the section from Gravelly Hill to Birmingham City Centre and runs from 10pm to 6am each night. Six bus routes—X3, X4, X5, X12, X13, and X14—will be diverted during the overnight closures.

Context

The A38M Aston Expressway serves as a major arterial route connecting Birmingham's northern suburbs to the city centre, carrying significant bus traffic during evening and early morning hours. Highway lighting maintenance is essential for road safety and typically requires full closures to allow crews to work safely on overhead infrastructure. The affected expressway section is heavily used by express bus services that connect outer areas to central Birmingham. Transit agencies coordinate with highway authorities to minimize service disruptions during planned road closures.

Details

Services X3, X4, X5, and X14 will be rerouted via Salford Circus, Lichfield Road, and Aston Road when heading toward Birmingham, officials said. When traveling from Birmingham, these routes will divert via Dartmouth Circus, Aston Bridge, Aston Road, and Lichfield Road. Services X12 and X13 will follow a similar diversion pattern but will use Tyburn Road as part of their route. Officials didn't specify how much additional travel time riders should expect on the diverted routes.

Timeline

The overnight closures begin Thursday, April 30, 2026, and continue through Sunday, May 3, with work taking place between 10pm and 6am each night. The expressway will reopen each morning at 6am, allowing normal daytime service to resume. Officials said the four-night closure window should allow crews to complete the necessary lighting work, though they didn't indicate whether additional closure nights might be needed if work isn't finished.

Impact

Riders using the six affected express routes during overnight hours should expect longer travel times due to the diversions through surface streets. Passengers are advised to check timetables and plan extra time for their journeys during the closure period. The diversions will ensure continued service while the highway maintenance work is completed. Moovit provides real-time updates for Birmingham bus routes, including diversion information during planned road closures.