Kings Heath Routes Adjust for Road Maintenance
Three Kings Heath bus routes to detour around Vicarage Road for highway lining work
Kings Heath Bus Routes Diverted May 6 for Road Work
Three Kings Heath bus routes will detour around Vicarage Road on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, as highway crews complete lining work. Services 11A, 11C, and 35 will follow alternate routes between 9:30am and 2:30pm while the section between Avenue Road and Howard Road is closed, transit officials said. The five-hour closure affects a key corridor used by hundreds of daily riders traveling to Acocks Green, Bournville, and Birmingham.
Temporary Closure Supports Infrastructure Maintenance
The midday closure allows contractors to complete highway lining work without disrupting morning and evening peak travel periods, according to the transit agency. Road maintenance projects typically require temporary closures to ensure worker safety and quality work completion. Officials scheduled the work during off-peak hours to minimize impact on commuters and school travel. Transit agencies coordinate with highway departments to plan service diversions that maintain connectivity while infrastructure work proceeds.
Three Routes Follow Different Diversion Paths
Service 11A heading toward Acocks Green will divert via Cartland Road, Pineapple Road, Dads Lane, and Avenue Road before rejoining Vicarage Road. Service 11C toward Bournville will follow the reverse of the 11A diversion route. Service 35 will use the same diversion as the 11A service when heading toward Birmingham and follow the reverse route when traveling from Birmingham. All three services will return to normal routes after 2:30pm once the road reopens.
Work Scheduled for Single Weekday Afternoon
The highway lining work is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, with the road closure lasting from 9:30am until 2:30pm. Transit officials said services will resume normal operations immediately after the closure ends. The agency didn't specify whether additional work phases are planned for Vicarage Road or surrounding streets. Passengers should expect normal service before 9:30am and after 2:30pm on the affected date.
Riders Advised to Allow Extra Travel Time
Passengers using the affected routes should plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel during the diversion period, transit officials said. The detours will add several minutes to trip times as buses navigate residential streets around the closure. Riders can check real-time bus locations and updated arrival times through Moovit, which provides live tracking for all three affected services during the temporary route changes.
