West Midlands Safeguards Service During Road Work
Birmingham bus routes 8C and 35 will detour overnight March 9 during highway closure
Birmingham Buses Reroute for Road Work March 9
Two Birmingham bus routes will detour overnight March 9 as highway crews close part of Belgrave Middleway in Highgate, NX Bus West Midlands said. The closure affects the section between Haden Circus and Belgrave Interchange from 8pm to 5am, requiring diversions for routes 8C and 35. Service 8A won't be affected and will operate normally during the work.
Context
Overnight road closures for highway maintenance typically require transit agencies to implement temporary route changes to maintain service while work crews complete essential repairs or improvements. The Belgrave Middleway closure represents a standard coordination between highway authorities and bus operators to minimize disruption to riders. Officials said the work requires a full closure of the affected section rather than lane restrictions. Transit agencies typically provide advance notice of such diversions to help riders plan alternative travel times or routes during construction periods.
Route Details
Service 8C heading toward Five Ways will detour via Haden Way, Alcester Road, and Salisbury Road before rejoining its regular route, according to the transit agency. Route 35 will use different diversions depending on direction: Hawkesley-bound buses will travel via Sherlock Street, Belgrave Circus, Pershore Road, and Edgbaston Road, while Birmingham-bound service will detour via Willows Road roundabout, Edgbaston Road, Pershore Road, and Belgrave Circus. Officials didn't specify how much additional travel time riders should expect on the diverted routes.
Timeline
The closure takes effect at 8pm Monday, March 9, 2026, and will last until 5am the following morning. NX Bus West Midlands said the diversions will be in place only during the closure hours. Officials didn't say whether additional closure nights will be needed to complete the highway work or when normal routing will permanently resume.
Rider Impact
Passengers using routes 8C and 35 during the overnight hours should expect different stop locations and potentially longer travel times while diversions are active. The transit agency advised riders to check current schedules and plan accordingly during the closure period. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and service alerts for NX Bus West Midlands routes, helping riders track diverted buses and adjust their travel plans during the Belgrave Middleway work.
