West Midlands Reroutes Buses for Infrastructure Upgrade
Birmingham bus routes 97, 97A to detour March 10 for highway lighting work on Meadway
Birmingham Routes 97, 97A Detour March 10
Bus routes 97 and 97A in Birmingham's Garretts Green area will detour Tuesday, March 10, 2026, between 9:30am and 3:00pm, NX Bus West Midlands said. The diversions stem from a temporary closure of Meadway between Queens Road and Church Road for highway lighting work. Officials said the closure affects a key section of the regular route, requiring buses to use alternative streets during the midday period.
Alternative Routes Through Residential Streets
The diversions will route buses through nearby residential streets to bypass the closed section of Meadway, according to the transit agency. Highway lighting upgrades typically require full road closures during daytime hours to ensure worker safety and allow equipment access. Officials said the work is scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize disruption to commuters. The agency didn't specify whether similar closures would be needed for additional lighting work in the area.
Specific Detour Paths for Each Direction
Buses heading toward Chelmsley Wood will follow Church Road, Deepmoor Road, Whittington Oval, and Wheatcroft Road, NX Bus West Midlands confirmed. Buses traveling toward Birmingham will use the same streets in reverse order. The diversions add approximately four turns to the regular route. Officials said the alternative path was selected to maintain service to the area while keeping delays minimal, though they didn't provide estimates for how much extra travel time riders should expect.
Six-Hour Closure Window for Lighting Work
The closure takes effect at 9:30am Tuesday and will last until 3:00pm, officials said. The five-and-a-half-hour window allows contractors to complete the lighting installation work during a single day. Transit officials said normal routing will resume immediately after the closure ends at 3:00pm. The agency didn't say whether backup plans exist if work extends beyond the scheduled timeframe.
Riders Advised to Allow Extra Travel Time
Passengers should plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel on March 10, NX Bus West Midlands said. The detours may result in slightly longer trip times and different stop locations along the diverted route. Officials didn't specify which regular stops will be temporarily skipped or where temporary stops might be established. Riders can check Moovit for real-time bus locations and updated arrival times during the closure period.
