West Midlands Reroutes Buses for Road Repairs
Three Birmingham bus routes diverted March 20 for 90-minute highway furniture repairs
Lea Hall Road Closed March 20 for Repairs
Three bus routes in Birmingham's Lea Hall area will be diverted Friday, March 20, when Meadway closes for highway furniture repairs. NX Bus West Midlands announced the closure will affect the section between Gossey Lane and Lea Hall Road from 9:30am to 11am. Routes 72, 97, and 97A will follow alternate paths during the 90-minute closure.
Why the Closure Matters
The temporary closure is necessary for highway furniture repair works, which typically include fixing or replacing street signs, guardrails, bollards, and other roadside infrastructure. Transit officials said the work requires full road closure to ensure worker safety and allow equipment access. Such maintenance projects are typically scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize disruption, though morning closures can still affect commuters. The agency didn't specify which particular highway furniture elements require repair or whether the work is part of a larger maintenance program in the area.
Diversion Routes for Each Service
Service 72 heading toward Solihull will be diverted via Mackadown Lane, Kitts Green Road, Church Lane, Lea Hall Road, and Garretts Green Lane, while buses heading toward Chelmsley Wood will follow their normal route. Services 97 and 97A heading toward Birmingham will be diverted via East Meadway, Kitts Green Road, Church Lane, Lea Hall Road, and Meadway. Buses on routes 97 and 97A heading toward Chelmsley Wood and the airport won't be affected. Officials didn't provide estimated travel time increases for the diverted routes.
Short-Duration Closure Window
The closure will last exactly 90 minutes on Friday, March 20, 2026, beginning at 9:30am and ending at 11am. Transit officials said the brief window was chosen to complete necessary repairs while limiting impact on riders. The agency didn't say whether backup time has been built into the schedule in case work runs longer than expected or if additional closure periods might be needed to complete the repairs.
What Riders Need to Know
Passengers traveling through Lea Hall during the Friday morning closure should expect slightly longer journey times on affected routes. Transit officials advised riders to allow extra travel time and check for any last-minute changes before departure. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and service alerts for NX Bus West Midlands routes, helping riders navigate temporary diversions and plan alternative routes during the closure period.
