West Midlands Route 87 Adjusts for Road Work
Service 87 buses to Dudley detour via Halesowen Street due to Oldbury Ringway closure
Oldbury Route 87 Reroutes April 26 for Road Work
Riders heading to Dudley on NX West Midlands' Service 87 will need to plan for a detour on Sunday, April 26. The transit agency announced that Oldbury Ringway will be closed in one direction between Dudley Road and Church Street from 8am to 6pm for carriageway maintenance. Service 87 buses traveling toward Dudley will follow an alternative route during the 10-hour closure, while Birmingham-bound buses won't be affected.
Single-Direction Closure Limits Impact
The closure affects only one direction of travel on Oldbury Ringway, allowing the transit agency to maintain service in both directions with minimal disruption. Road maintenance projects typically require full lane closures to ensure worker safety and allow crews to complete resurfacing or repair work efficiently. Transit officials said the Sunday timing was chosen to minimize impact on weekday commuters. The agency didn't specify what type of carriageway work will be performed or whether additional closures might be needed.
Dudley-Bound Buses Take Alternate Path
Service 87 buses heading toward Dudley will stay on Oldbury Ringway but follow a modified route, passing Halesowen Street junction before continuing on Oldbury Ringway and turning left onto Dudley Road to rejoin the regular route. The detour adds several turns but keeps buses on familiar streets in the area. Birmingham-bound Service 87 buses will follow their normal route and won't experience any changes, officials confirmed. The agency advised passengers to allow extra time for potential delays during the diversion period.
Work Scheduled to Finish by Evening
The carriageway work is scheduled to be completed by 6pm on April 26, with the road expected to reopen and Service 87 returning to its normal route immediately afterward. Transit officials said the single-day closure should allow crews to finish the necessary maintenance without requiring extended disruptions. The agency didn't provide details on whether weather delays could extend the closure or what contingency plans exist if work runs longer than scheduled.
Riders Should Check for Updates
Passengers traveling on Service 87 on April 26 should plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for the detour, particularly those heading toward Dudley. The diversion won't affect stop locations for Birmingham-bound riders. Moovit provides real-time bus tracking and route updates for NX West Midlands services, helping riders navigate temporary changes and plan alternative travel times during the closure.
