Route 52 Adjusts for Great Barr Road Work

Route 52 buses detour via Thornbridge and Beeches Roads during midday closure

Great Barr Route 52 Reroutes for Road Work

Riders on Birmingham's Route 52 will see service diverted around a road closure in Great Barr from April 7-9, 2026. Booths Farm Road will be closed between Thornbridge Avenue and Walsall Road for highway works, affecting midday service between 9:30am and 3:30pm each day. The temporary closure impacts buses heading toward Birmingham, while return trips won't see changes.

Highway Work Prompts Three-Day Closure

The road closure allows crews to complete highway maintenance work on a key section of Booths Farm Road, transit officials said. The affected stretch runs from Thornbridge Avenue to Walsall Road in Great Barr. Officials limited the closure to off-peak hours to minimize disruption to morning and evening commuters. The work schedule wasn't detailed beyond the three-day window, and officials didn't specify what type of highway maintenance requires the closure.

Birmingham-Bound Buses Take Alternate Route

Buses heading toward Birmingham will detour via Thornbridge Road, Beeches Road, and Walsall Road during the closure hours, transit officials said. The reroute adds several turns to the normal path but reconnects with the regular route at Walsall Road. Buses traveling from Birmingham toward Great Barr will follow their standard route without changes. Officials didn't say whether the detour will add travel time or if any stops will be temporarily relocated during the three-day period.

Closure Limited to Midday Hours

The road closure takes effect Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and continues through Thursday, April 9, with work scheduled from 9:30am to 3:30pm each day. Normal service resumes outside those hours, meaning morning and evening rush periods won't be affected. Officials said the limited-hours approach balances construction needs with rider convenience, though they didn't provide details on whether weekend work was considered.

Riders Should Check Updated Schedules

Passengers traveling during the affected hours should plan for the detour and potential schedule adjustments, transit officials said. The diversion only impacts service during the specified midday window on the three days. Moovit provides real-time Route 52 updates and alternate trip options for Birmingham-area riders navigating the temporary service change.