West Midlands Reroutes Bus 35 for Signal Upgrade

Birmingham bus route 35 diverts through Balsall Heath for overnight signal upgrades

Bus 35 Reroutes in Balsall Heath for Road Work

Birmingham's bus service 35 will follow a detour route through Balsall Heath for two weeks while crews upgrade traffic signals at a key junction, NX Bus West Midlands announced. Longmore Street will be closed at the Balsall Heath Road junction from Monday, March 23 to Monday, April 6, 2026, between 7pm and 5am each night. The overnight closure affects buses traveling between Birmingham and Hawkesley during those hours.

Context and Background

The closure is necessary for highway signal improvements at the Longmore Street and Balsall Heath Road intersection, according to the transit agency. Signal upgrades typically involve replacing aging equipment, installing new controllers, and updating timing systems to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Officials said the overnight work schedule was chosen to reduce daytime traffic disruption. The work will take place over 14 consecutive nights, though officials haven't specified whether weather delays could extend the timeline.

Diversion Route Details

Buses heading toward Hawkesley will divert via Horton Square, Belgrave Middleway, Haden Circus, Pershore Road, and Priory Road before rejoining the regular route. Buses heading toward Birmingham will follow the reverse path via Salisbury Road, Priory Road, Pershore Road, Belgrave Middleway, and Horton Square. The diversions are designed to minimize disruption while maintaining service to the area, officials said. The agency hasn't specified how much additional travel time riders should expect, though detours on similar routes typically add 5 to 10 minutes to journey times.

Timeline and Implementation

The overnight closures begin Monday, March 23, 2026, and continue through Monday, April 6, with work taking place between 7pm and 5am each night. Normal service will operate during daytime hours when the street reopens at 5am. Officials said normal service will resume once the works are completed, with no changes expected to daytime schedules during the two-week period.

Rider Impact and Information

Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel during the closure period, particularly for evening and early morning trips. Riders traveling during overnight hours should check their departure times, as the detour may affect arrival times at stops along the diverted route. Moovit provides real-time updates for Birmingham bus routes, including service 35 diversions and adjusted schedules during the Longmore Street closure.