West Midlands Coordinates Utility Work With Transit
Chester Road closes March 11 for water work, diverting X12 and X13 bus routes
Chester Road Closes March 11 for Utility Work
Bus riders in Castle Bromwich will need alternate routes Wednesday when Chester Road closes for water utility work. NX Bus West Midlands said the closure between Beechcroft Road and Kyter Lane runs from 9:30am to 3:30pm March 11, 2026, affecting two express routes. Severn Trent's conducting infrastructure work that requires the six-hour closure, transit officials confirmed.
Background on Castle Bromwich Transit
The affected section of Chester Road serves as a key corridor for express bus services connecting Castle Bromwich to Birmingham and surrounding communities. Transit agencies typically coordinate with utility companies to schedule infrastructure work during off-peak hours when possible, according to the transit system. The six-hour midday window allows Severn Trent to complete necessary water system maintenance while minimizing impact on morning and evening commutes. Officials said the work's part of ongoing infrastructure maintenance in the area.
X12 and X13 Routes Rerouted During Closure
Two express routes will follow detour paths during the closure period. X12 buses heading toward Birmingham will divert via The Green and Bradford Road, with Chelmsley Wood-bound buses following the reverse route, officials said. X13 service toward Birmingham will travel via Beechcroft Road, Chester Road, The Green and Bradford Road, while Coleshill-bound buses use the opposite routing. The transit agency said diversion routes were designed to maintain service while avoiding the work zone.
Six-Hour Closure Ends Mid-Afternoon
The closure begins at 9:30am Wednesday and ends at 3:30pm the same day, allowing normal service to resume for evening commutes. NX Bus West Midlands said the timing lets Severn Trent complete required work in a single day. Officials didn't specify whether the utility work involves pipe replacement, valve maintenance or other infrastructure tasks. The transit agency said it coordinated with Severn Trent to minimize service disruption.
Riders Should Plan Extra Travel Time
Passengers using X12 or X13 service March 11 should allow additional time for diverted routes, transit officials said. The agency recommends checking schedules before traveling, though specific delay estimates weren't provided. Normal service resumes after 3:30pm when the closure ends. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and service alerts for NX Bus West Midlands routes throughout the Birmingham area.
