West Midlands Coordinates Route Detour for Works

Bus routes 997 and 998 in Oscott will detour March 19-20 during Shady Lane closure

Shady Lane Oscott Closes March 19-20 for Works

Riders using bus routes 997 and 998 in Oscott will face detours March 19-20 when Shady Lane closes for highway works, transit officials said. The closure affects the section between Aldridge Road and Kings Road from 9:30am to 2:30pm on both Thursday and Friday. NX Bus West Midlands confirmed both routes will be diverted during the five-hour closure periods.

Context

The temporary closure allows contractors to complete highway maintenance work on a key section of Shady Lane that serves as part of the regular route for services connecting Birmingham and Walsall, according to the transit agency. Officials said the mid-day timing was chosen to minimize impact on morning and evening commuters. The work requires complete closure of the affected section rather than lane restrictions. Transit agencies typically schedule such closures during off-peak hours when ridership is lower, though officials didn't provide specific ridership figures for the affected routes.

Diversion Details

Buses heading toward Birmingham will continue along Aldridge Road, passing the Shady Lane junction before rejoining their normal route, officials said. Walsall-bound buses will follow the reverse path. The diversion adds travel time to affected trips, though officials haven't specified how many additional minutes riders should expect. NX Bus West Midlands said passengers can search for updated timetables through the agency's online tools, but specific schedule adjustments weren't detailed in the service alert.

Timeline

The closure takes effect at 9:30am Thursday, March 19, 2026, and runs until 2:30pm that day, with identical hours Friday, March 20. Officials said the work is scheduled for completion by Friday afternoon, allowing normal service to resume for the weekend. The agency didn't indicate whether weather or construction delays could extend the closure beyond the two scheduled days.

Rider Impact

Passengers traveling during the closure hours should expect longer journey times and different stop locations along the diverted route. Officials said riders should plan extra time for trips on both affected days. Moovit provides real-time updates for NX Bus West Midlands routes 997 and 998, including diversion information and adjusted arrival times during the Shady Lane closure.