West Midlands Reroutes Buses for Road Work

Birmingham routes 97, 97A detour four nights for Great Barr Street resurfacing work

Birmingham Routes 97, 97A Reroute for Road Work

Birmingham bus riders on routes 97 and 97A will face detours for four nights as Great Barr Street in Bordesley closes for resurfacing. The closure affects the section between Watery Lane Middleway and Liverpool Street from Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29, 2026, between 7pm and 5am each night. Both routes will follow alternative paths through the city center during the overnight work.

Context & Background

The overnight closure schedule allows resurfacing crews to complete road work while minimizing disruption to daytime traffic and transit service. Transit officials said the work is necessary to maintain road infrastructure in the Bordesley area. The closure was announced March 24, giving riders two days' notice before work begins. Overnight road maintenance typically requires full street closures to ensure worker safety and allow equipment access, though officials didn't specify the extent of deterioration that prompted the resurfacing project.

Key Details

Buses heading toward Birmingham will detour via Garrison Lane, Garrison Circus, Watery Lane Middleway, Bordesley Circus, Adderley Street, Liverpool Street, and Heath Mill Lane. Buses traveling toward Chelmsley Wood and the Airport will follow the reverse path through Heath Mill Lane, Liverpool Street, Adderley Street, Watery Lane Middleway, and Garrison Circus. Officials didn't provide estimated travel time increases for the detoured routes. The diversions affect only overnight service during the four-night closure period.

Timeline & Implementation

The closure begins Thursday evening, March 26 at 7pm and continues through 5am Friday morning, repeating each night through Sunday, March 29. Buses will return to normal routes when the street reopens at 5am each morning, then detour again when closures resume at 7pm. Officials said buses will resume regular routing once resurfacing work is completed after the Sunday overnight shift, though they didn't specify whether weather or other factors could extend the timeline.

Rider Impact & Moovit

Riders using routes 97 and 97A during overnight hours should expect longer travel times and different stop locations along the detour path. Transit officials advised passengers to plan extra time for trips during the four-night closure period. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on route 97 and 97A service, including adjusted stop locations and estimated arrival times during the temporary detours.