West Midlands Route 77 Adjusts for Highway Work
Route 77 buses will divert for five hours on March 13 due to Pype Hayes Road closure
Route 77 Diverts March 13 for Pype Hayes Work
Bus riders in Birmingham's Pype Hayes area will see service changes for five hours next month due to road construction. NX Bus West Midlands confirmed route 77 will divert on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 9:30am to 2:30pm while Pype Hayes Road closes between Varley Road and Springthorpe Road for highway work. The temporary closure affects regular travel patterns for riders heading to Erdington and Walsall.
Background
The five-hour closure allows contractors to complete necessary highway maintenance on Pype Hayes Road, transit officials said. Route 77 serves as a key connection between Erdington and Walsall, carrying riders through the Pype Hayes neighborhood. The agency typically schedules road work during midday hours to minimize impact on morning and evening commuters. Officials said the work must be completed during a full closure rather than lane restrictions, though they didn't specify what type of highway maintenance requires the closure.
Diversion Routes
Buses heading toward Erdington will continue along Chester Road, pass the Pype Hayes Road junction, turn left onto Grange Road, then rejoin the normal route, according to NX Bus West Midlands. Walsall-bound buses will divert from Grange Road, pass Woodcote Road junction, turn left onto Chester Road, make a u-turn, and return along Chester Road to rejoin the regular route. The diversions add approximately 5-10 minutes to journey times, though officials didn't provide exact time estimates. All route 77 stops along the closed section of Pype Hayes Road won't be served during the closure period.
Timeline
The diversion takes effect at 9:30am on Friday, March 13, 2026, and continues until 2:30pm the same day. Normal service will resume once highway crews complete the work and reopen Pype Hayes Road, officials said. The agency didn't say whether the closure could extend beyond 2:30pm if work runs longer than expected. NX Bus West Midlands typically provides updates on its service alerts if closure times change.
Rider Impact
Passengers should allow extra travel time during the five-hour closure window and plan for slightly longer journeys on route 77. Riders who normally board at stops along the closed section of Pype Hayes Road will need to walk to alternate stops on Chester Road or Grange Road. Moovit provides real-time updates for NX Bus West Midlands routes, including route 77 diversions and adjusted arrival times during the March 13 closure.
