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St Bernards and Moseley Schools Safer School Streets scheme gets approval

A proposal for a Safer School Streets scheme for St Bernards RC School and Moseley School has at last received approval and will progress to local Traffic Regulation Order consultation.
The scheme includes the installation of double yellow line restricted parking along Wake Green Road between the two schools, including at the junctions of Pool Meadow Close, Berkeley Crescent and Aster Drive. Railings will be extended outside St Bernards School and installed on the junction opposite to prevent pavement parking. Dropped kerbs to allow accessible crossing for wheelchair/mobility scooter users and parents with buggies will be installed at the junction of Aster Drive as currently there are none.

Izzy has been supporting St Bernards School in their campaign for safer streets outside school and has also talked previously to the Head of Moseley School. She welcomes these measures which will make the road safer and will enable council parking enforcement to prevent some of the appalling pavement parking that takes place outside both schools.

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Save Our Libraries – Once they are gone they are gone

The current financial crisis at Birmingham City Council is soon to be laid bare, as the budget will be presented at city council on 5 March. We have been told to expect major cuts to the library service, and we know that the plan is to retain just 11 of the 36 libraries in Birmingham. That means that our local libraries in Sparkhill,  Hall Green and Kings Heath are at risk of being closed down.

Libraries don’t just provide books – they provide refuge from the cold, company for lonely people, space for community organisations and a hub for civic related duties. They are a free place to go with children and a place that inspires people to learn and develop, and they are a quiet place to go to if things are difficult at home.

We have launched a petition to keep Sparkhill, Hall Green and Kings Heath libraries open. They are all well used by their local communities and it would be a tragedy to lose even one of them.

Pledge your support and Sign our petition here

The petition will be presented to full council at the budget meeting on 5th March

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Izzy challenges the council to stop assuming everyone has access to the internet

At Full Council meeting on 6th February Izzy raised the issue of Birmingham City Council sending out letters to residents in receipt of single person discount on their council tax. The letter told them to go online within 3 weeks of the date of the letter to declare their continued eligibility or lose the discount. There was no provision for anyone with no internet access or who doesn’t have a trusted relative or friend to help. The letter has caused distress to many people who were unable to comply with the instructions.

You can see Izzy’s speech here:

The next day the council agreed to add a phone number to future letters. 0121 303 1113

If you know anyone who has had one of these letters and needs help to complete the online link, let Izzy know.

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Bus Lane & parking restrictions St Mary’s Row to Reddings Road to be removed following error in consultation

The recent alterations to the road markings and parking restrictions in Alcester Road were implemented as part of a project to improve bus journey times. The project was led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) working alongside Birmingham City Council.

Details of the project can be seen on the council consultation page:

https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/moseleyrdalcesterrdbus/

Following queries made by residents and businesses Izzy questioned TfWM as she had concerns that the statutory consultation that took place in 2022 did not include all the correct maps and documents relating to the section of A435 between St Mary’s Row and Reddings Road. In addition, it did not appear that any consultation letters had been sent to residents or businesses along this section.

TfWM have now confirmed this in a written statement:

TfWM have further confirmed that the newly installed double yellow lines between St Mary’s Row and Reddings Road are not enforceable. They have agreed with BCC to remove them and return this section back to the existing (previous) Traffic Regulation Order. This will be undertaken within the next 2 weeks, following approval of relevant highway permits by BCC. They will also be reverting to the original centre line between Reddings Rd and Farquhar Rd, the lane widths will then be adjusted to St. Mary’s Row.

Izzy has had further correspondence from TFWM… for the foreseeable future we will not look to bring back a TRO consultation to implement the measures between Reddings Road and St. Mary’s Row incorrectly installed.

Izzy has written to the parking team to make them aware any fixed penalty notices issued since the double yellow lines were installed should be repealed.

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Birmingham City Council officially support the Climate and Ecology Bill

On 9th January, together with Councillor Deborah Harries  Izzy successfully raised a motion for Birmingham City Council to officially support the Zero Hour campaign to get the Climate and Ecology Bill through Parliament. 

The Climate and Ecology Bill is a plan to:

1. Make sure the UK cuts its emissions fairly and fully to stand the best chance of keeping 1.5°C alive
2. Make sure the UK reverses the destruction of nature by 2030
3. Involve citizens in deciding the fairest way forward

In her speech to the council Izzy thanked the children of Camp Hill Schools who inspired her to bring this motion to full council following their Climate Assembly in October.  She called for positive and can do action from everyone, and encouraged them all to sign up to support the Climate and Ecology Bill.

Climate change is something that worries people, especially young people, and it’s small wonder, given the scale of the problem.

The Climate & Ecology Bill, a private member’s bill is expected to go back before the House of Commons in early 2024. It seeks to address the challenges that this situation poses by creating a whole-of-government approach to deliver a net zero and nature positive future.

Based on the latest science, the CE Bill aims to:

• Align current UK environmental policy on the need to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, which was goal agreed to at COP15, via the Kunming-Montreal Framework (22 December 2022) and;

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s fair share of the remaining global carbon budget to give the strongest chance of limiting global heating to 1.5°C, which was the goal agreed to at COP21, via the Paris Agreement (12 December 2015).

By bridging the gap between the UK Government’s current delivery and what has been agreed at international levels, Britain has a chance to be a world leader on climate and the environment; seizing the opportunities of the clean energy transition, including green jobs and skills, reduced energy bills and a boost for the UK’s food and energy security.

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Birmingham City Council has updated it’s Road Safety Strategy – now open to consultation.

Birmingham City Council has updated it’s Road Safety Strategy and released it for consultation.

The Birmingham Road Harm Reduction Strategy has been developed to complement the Birmingham Transport Plan. It sets out to transform Birmingham’s roads and streets to make them safer, more inclusive, and more attractive.

Take part in the consultation HERE

The ambition of the strategy is to end death and serious injury for users of Birmingham’s roads in line with the Vision Zero concept, which aspires to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 

The previous Birmingham Road Safety Strategy was adopted in October 2016. Whilst aligned with Vision Zero, its approach did not tackle traffic volume and its significant impact on road safety.

The revised strategy adopts the Healthy Streets Approach and is aligned directly with the vision, aim, objectives and principles of the Birmingham Transport Plan:

  • Prioritising active travel in local neighbourhoods – upgrading and improving streets in our local neighbourhoods to ensure they are attractive, inclusive, and safe environments for people walking, cycling and using public transport.
  • Reallocating road space – consolidating most motor vehicle journeys in Birmingham onto a defined and prioritised Arterial Route Network, whilst removing through trips from residential streets wherever possible.
  • Transforming the city centre – removing through motor traffic from the city centre, and redesigning public spaces to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling.
  • Managing demand – proactive management of the kerbside (the part of the road closest to the footway) to release the space needed for safe, healthy streetscapes, whilst improving access to local services and facilities.

Paper copies of the consultation survey, along with copies of the strategy will be left at all of the city libraries from the week commencing 15 January 2024 (or you can email Izzy and we’ll send you one). The council also plans to hold a small number of drop in events, details of which will follow.

If you have any queries, please email: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

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Motion on Israel & Gaza – call for bilateral ceasefire

On Tuesday 7th November, exactly a month after the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, which triggered the devastating Israel / Gaza conflict, Cllrs Ayoub Khan and Izzy Knowles brought a motion to full council proposing a humanitarian solution to the conflict, including support for refugees and for tolerance and understanding in our own communities.

The horrors and repercussions of this dispute have had a profound affect across both the Jewish and Muslim communities here in Birmingham. West Midlands Police, and organisations like the CST and Tell Mama have reported a rise in both anti Semitic and Islamophobic hate incidents.

You can see Izzy’s speech to council here

The motion had two amendments from the Labour group which we accepted. The amended motion was overwhelmingly voted in favour. It reads:
This council recognises that the horrors and repercussions of the conflict in Palestine and Israel have had a profound affect across all communities, but notably the Muslim and Jewish communities here in Birmingham.

West Midlands Police, and organisations like the CST and Tell Mama have reported a rise in both Islamophobic and antisemitic hate incidents.

In Birmingham, we have seen incidences of antisemitic and Islamophobic graffiti, with more than two hundred tags of a racist, offensive, antisemitic or Islamophobic nature reported and removed since October 7th. We must not allow the tragic events in the Middle East to divide our communities in the city, and we understand and feel the pain of all people in the city, especially the Muslim and Jewish communities.

This Council condemns those who have used this crisis to whip up hatred, sow division, and spread misinformation in our city.

This council acknowledges that it has a duty of care to the people of Birmingham, and must lead the way in promoting peace, tolerance and respect.

This Council notes:

  1. There is a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. It is likely that this will impact Gazans throughout 2023 and beyond.
  1. An immediate and sustainable ceasefire is needed, so that aid can get into Gaza, the hostages can be freed, and work can take place to deescalate this horrific conflict. Save the Children have highlighted that more children have been reported killed in this conflict than the annual number of children killed across the world’s conflicts zones since 2019. The international community has a responsibility to work towards a peace process and a two-state solution.
  1. It is unlikely that many Palestinians will be able to return home for a substantial time.
  1. With Birmingham having a proud status as a City of Sanctuary for people fleeing war torn countries and persecution. It is important that we in Birmingham, together with other communities in the UK, prepare to accommodate any refugees from this conflict that seek re-location.
  1. Building on the success of the Homes for the Ukraine Scheme, a similar package must be offered to refugees choosing to flee the conflict.

This Council therefore:

  1. Will write to the Government seeking the provision of a support package for refugees fleeing the conflict and provide further aid to assist the UN Agencies in their humanitarian work so that British citizens can get home safely, and Palestinian people are able to stay in their homeland.”.
  1. Will support the active engagement of the voluntary sector in delivering aid and support to refugees from the conflict.
  1. Will proactively engage with any Government schemes to house refugees from the conflict to ensure that all refugees are given a warm welcome in Birmingham.
  1. Calls on everyone in Birmingham to show tolerance and respect at this time of significant stress to many communities; especially those of the Muslim and Jewish faiths.
  1. Will work with faith communities to explore setting up more third-party hate crime reporting mechanisms and write to the Home Secretary to urge Government to reverse its decision to downgrade the monitoring of non-crime hate incidents specifically related to antisemitism and Islamophobia so they can be logged by the police.”

Liberal Democrats nationally have also called for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to get aid in, get the hostages out, and provide space to realise a political solution, ultimately with two states and a lasting peace. 

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Young People are our future – tackling the climate emergency

Today Izzy spent the afternoon at the 2023 Schools Climate Assembly talking to students from KEVI Camp Hill Girls & Boys schools about local democracy, what Birmingham City Council is doing to tackle the climate emergency & how they as young people can make their voices heard in politics.

Izzy spoke about the progress of the council since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, specifically mentioning the Transport Policy, our dependence on cars and the need for more connected safe bike lanes; the Veolia incinerator at Tyseley and its effect on our re-use and re-cycling rates and her efforts to support Bee Friendly Brum in their campaign to stop the council using harmful pesticides in our streets and parks.

As part of the speech she referred to climate change scorecards which were released this week. These are a national online resource, comparing council performance across seven key categories. Birmingham City Council achieved an average score of 39%. Although 4 percentage points above the average, it’s a reflection of how poor the situation is across the country.

Cllr Roger Harmer the Birmingham Lib Dem leader commented on the scorecards: “there are several areas where Birmingham needs to up its game.

“Transport management is key to reducing pollutants and reducing carbon emissions is a key priority area. We need to make more progress on improving the electric car charging network and the council should be more proactive in developing car clubs to reduce the number of cars on our streets whilst increasing the number of people with access to cars”.

“The council currently scores poorly in terms of waste management and recycling. We have long argued for the introduction of kerbside food waste recycling, as part of a plan to end the need of incineration of waste”.

Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for increasing the installation of solar panel on the Council’s rooves to save costs as well as carbon emissions.

Governance and finance is a particularly low scoring area, with the Council achieving just 6%. Cllr Harmer said “There’s a new team in place working on this at the council. I hope they are being listened to by decision makers”.

Recently, Izzy and Councillor Jon Hunt have encouraged the council to reduce use of glyphosate; a weedkiller that damages wildlife – notably vital bee populations. To date, the weedkiller is still being used by the council and partner organisations.

The Government also needs to do more, particular in terms of helping to radically improve the insulation of our homes and other buildings.

The scorecards can be accessed here:

Izzy finished her speech by urging young people to take an interest in politics and to campaign for things that are important to them. She talked about the recent elections in Poland and how young people turned out in their thousands to vote for a change in government.

The students have all been asked to write letters to people who can influence policy, including national and local politicians and business leaders. Izzy has agreed to deliver any letters addressed to Birmingham Councillors and to ensure they get a reply.

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Welcoming Ukrainian delegates to Birmingham

On 3rd October Cllr Izzy Knowles, together with the Lib Dem group leader, Cllr Roger Harmer was proud to welcome a delegation of Ukrainians from eight Universities, including Birmingham’s twin city of Zaporizhizhia and from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education & Science to the Council House.

The delegates were hosted by Aston University as part of an Erasmus + MultiEd project, an EU programme to support education, training, youth and sport.

Marsela Hoxha from the Homes for Ukraine team at the council said in an internal council update:

‘Cllr Knowles’ ward, Moseley, is one of the wards with the highest numbers of Ukrainian guests being hosted in the city – and she was, herself, a host to a Ukrainian family. She has proactively maintained a close contact with our teams, and has contributed by providing feedback regarding delivery of services and needs identified from her various engagements with partners, hosts/guests and her constituents. This has helped us to continue to improve our services.

“Cllr Harmer was also involved with the Homes for Ukraine scrutiny panel earlier this year – and has since been following the development of the services/improvements on the areas identified.

“The delegation heard me (Marsela) and my team, about the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ project – and the solidarity and support given to Ukrainians fleeing the war. The delegates also heard the ‘lived experiences’ stories from Ukrainian guests, who currently live in Birmingham – and we all shared a deeper understanding of the situation facing people back in Ukraine: and their desire to keep education and learning at the centre of rebuilding Ukraine.

“Participants from Zaporizhzhia City brought a letter of appreciation from their Mayor for the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Chaman Lal, expressing their gratitude for the welcome and support provided by BCC and its partners to the Ukrainian guests. This was received gratefully by the two councillors present, on the Lord Mayor’s behalf.

“We all committed as organisations – and individuals – to continue to support the Ukrainians who are now part of our community of Birmingham; and to maintain communication, and strengthen our relationship, via future collaborations.”

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We condemn the violence and urge Brummies to unite against hate.

This weekend attacks across Israel caused the deaths of hundreds of people. Latest reports put the Israeli death toll at around 700, including 260 who were killed at a festival. In Gaza, the death toll is rising quickly. Latest reports from Gaza are citing 370 civilians killed.

Liberal Democrat councillors have received calls from Birmingham residents who are concerned both by this weekends attacks, and the warnings of reprisals in the region. People here are fearful, angry and upset as tensions increase in the Middle East. 

Cllr Ayoub Khan reflected thoughtfully; conscious that focusing solely on the attacks as isolated incidents does not reflect the wider, decades old dispute between Israel and Palestine that has made heartbreak, separation and bloodshed a way of life.  “We condemn all forms of violence and no loss of innocent life is acceptable. If we are to bring an end to this decades old conflict, there needs to be a fair deal for the Palestinian people.”

Councillor Izzy Knowles commented “The videos & news from Israel are horrific. This type of violence against innocent civilians can never ever be justified. I have written to the Police Inspector Neil Kirkpatrick asking for extra police attention and reassurance for our affected communities particularly King David’s school”

Birmingham’s diversity is it’s greatest strength. Tolerance and acceptance for others underpins that, and during difficult times we hold tight to these values.

Birmingham Liberal Democrats encourage the international community to assist in providing medical supplies, treatment and safe passage for people who are now at a much greater risk of being caught up in the crossfire. 

21st October update :
Izzy has been contacted by more residents upset and angry at the continuing violence, the news and images coming from both Israel and Gaza. She has responded:

“I am devastated and deeply troubled by the terrible events both in Israel and in Gaza. My heart is like I have a brick in it; viewing social media and watching the news is heartbreaking. I grieve for all the victims and families who are going through unimaginable suffering.

I totally condemn the actions of Hamas, there can never ever be justification for the terrorism, hostage taking and brutal murder of innocent lives that happened over the weekend of 7th and 8th October.

But neither can there be justification for reprisals that violate international law and punish and kill civilians. Time and time again events in our world have shown reacting with violence only results in more suffering and more violence.

I believe, our politicians should be listening to our communities and pushing for:

An immediate ceasefire on both sides

Immediate release of all hostages

Flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and safe routes out for those injured or sick

Deployment of UN peacekeepers

Investigation and prosecution of terrorism and war crimes

An international collaboration to achieve a lasting two state solution where communities can live and prosper in peace and friendship.

I am also very troubled to see so much polarisation and increase of hate across our own communities. At times like these we need to come together, to listen, to respectfully challenge rather than hatefully accuse, to learn with open minds and to accept differences but find common ground.”

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Grade 2 Listed Moseley Rd Tram depot to be turned into flats?

Izzy has been in regular contact with Birmingham Planning Enforcement team about the condition of the Grade 2 listed Moseley Road Tram Depot at 582, Moseley Road which has been in an appalling derelict state for many years.

Moseley Road Tram Depot was opened on the 1st January 1907 and had a capacity of 77 tram cars. In 1949 it was converted for buses, it later became West Midlands Travel Engineering Workshops. The Office building remained in use as offices for most of the 20th Century but it has been empty and derelict for over 25 years.

The council has conducted a survey of the building in order to serve a notice of essential repairs on the owner. Recently the frontage has been cleared of rubbish.

A planning application has now been submitted to turn the building into 9 self contained flats. Comments can be made until 27th October 2023

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Moseley & Kings Heath Places for People (LTN) latest update

Birmingham City Council have issued an update on the Places for People project (phase 2). I have copied the update below. It can also be found on their website
I welcome the release of the details of Phase 2 measures and am supportive of the revised design, having given some initial feedback concerning access to Moseley Golf Club. I am however disappointed no provision has been made to take into account the potential impact on Boundary Roads. I will continue to ensure community representations are fed back to the council to try to ensure the best possible scheme is implemented for the residents and businesses of Moseley. Cllr Izzy Knowles.

Council Update on Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People project (phase 2) – September 2023

“Places for People in Kings Heath & Moseley aims to reduce traffic in residential neighbourhoods so that it is safer for people to walk, wheel, and cycle and nicer to be outside, for children to play and neighbours to chat.
A first phase of this scheme was delivered in 2020 in the form of temporary measures, which were made permanent in April 2022, with the intention that a second phase would implement a revised area-wide scheme.

The Outline Business Case for this next phase of the Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People project was approved by Cabinet in January 2023. Our specialist delivery team are now overseeing the completion of scheme designs and other points required to progress this to delivery.

Following engagement with residents in Autumn 2022, some minor changes have been made to the final concept design layout ahead of delivery, specifically:

  • the addition of a modal filter at the junction of Yardley Wood Road and St Agnes Road (in
    place of the proposed one-way ‘gyratory’ by St Agnes church)
  • the introduction of a diagonal modal filter (south-west to north-east) at the junction of
    School Road / Greenend Road / Greenhill Road, instead of the existing modal filter on School Road (and in place of the proposed modal filters on School Road and Greenhill Road)
  • making the section of Springfield Road between Addison Road and Institute Road one-way (northbound) along with consideration of any other traffic calming measures required here (as with Billesley Lane)

A revised final concept design for Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People is shown below

An updated delivery programme is now being put in place based on a phased approach, with measures being delivered through separate packages as follows:
1) improvements to phase 1 measures to the west of the High Street – including the York Road pedestrian zone – which already have TROs in place.
2) new measures being introduced as part of phase 2 (to the east of the High Street) which will require new TROs – this includes modal filters, one-way streets, and traffic calming.
3) a 20mph speed limit across the project area, including on ‘boundary’ roads.
4) bus gate on Addison Road and reinstate a right turn from Vicarage Road onto High Street.
Work is underway to complete design work, obtain internal approvals, advertise Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) including statutory consultation, and award construction contracts. Further details, including envisaged timescales, will be shared as available.
Notwithstanding the requirement to comply with any spend restrictions in place in advance of the Council setting out its Financial Recovery Plan, the funding allocated to this scheme comes from grants and income which is ring-fenced for sustainable travel and environmental improvements. This funding was committed by the Council’s Cabinet on 17 January 2023 and due to the nature of the funding, it cannot be used to fund any wider financial pressures across the City Council.“

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A community centre not serving the community.

Notice has been served by planning enforcement officers on the owners and tenants of a premises on Alcester Road near to Edgbaston Road East. The premises, an old factory unit is leased as a community centre, however it is being used almost exclusively for evening pre weddings and parties.
Izzy has received numerous complaints about anti social and obstructive parking, loud music, loud prolonged drumming and fireworks being illegally and dangerously let off in the street. It is not clear if any health and safety or fire safety checks have ever taken place.

Izzy has previously spoken to the organisation leasing the premises and brought the complaints to their attention, however nothing has been done to stop the issues continuing sometimes two or three times a week.

The owner and tenants have until 4th September to appeal the notice. In the event of no appeal being made they will need to cease all activity at the premises after 4th October..

They now have a chance to appeal the decision by planning enforcement and apply to regularise the use of the building as a community centre.

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Public Space Protection Order – Consultation.

The wait for the Moseley & Kings Heath Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to be renewed is almost over:

The previous order expired during Covid and Izzy has been lobbying for it to be renewed ever since. In March this year she provided a statement of evidence to support the extension of the map to cover some hot spot areas and for the seizure of Nitrous Oxide (Nos) to be included in the order. The number of Nos cannisters collected by Moseley Litterbusters helped evidence the need for this. Other residents including Streetwatch members have also provided evidence to support the order and we thank them for their help.

The PSPO is an important tool for use by police and community safety officers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour in our streets, parks and open spaces within the designated boundaries. This is to address anti social behaviour that includes, but is not limited to, street drinking and associated behaviour, street violence, consumption of intoxicating substances including nitrous gas, large anti social groups gathering and destruction of public property including graffiti.

The order is now subject to a public consultation which ends on 17th September and we encourage you to please complete.

There will be engagement events in Moseley in August for people who are not on line to take part, including at Moseley Farmers Market.

The new PSPO is expected to be live by October.

Take part in the consultation here

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Keep Train Station Ticket Offices Open

Birmingham Liberal Democrats are campaigning to save the train station ticket offices in Birmingham from closing.

West Midlands Railway propose to close almost all ticket offices in the region, meaning that many staff will lose their jobs, and the office doors will be closed. This is part of a move to close ticket offices across the country.

Group Leader Roger Harmer commented: “I am alarmed by the fact that people have had just 3 weeks to respond to this consultation. This does not give enough time for people to think through how this might impact them and their dependants.

“At this time of year, lots of people are on holiday. Parents and children are focused on finishing the school year. It’s a busy time. Giving people just three weeks to respond to a consultation means that many people will not have the time to think this through.

“Come September, parents will be putting their 11-year-old children onto trains, bound for new schools. Staff to help guide them to the right platform and train are crucial.

“There are many people that need extra support to board trains. From wheelchair users to cyclists, having expert staff on hand is not just a comfort, it can be a necessity.”

“There’s also tourists needing help to plan a journey, and the many people who don’t use a smartphone, as well as the million people in the UK who don’t have a bank account – how will they purchase tickets?”

The Birmingham Liberal Democrats are calling for an extension to the consultation period, and more thought on how train staff support the community.

A Lib Dem staff member added “I use the trains several times a week and I regularly see the vital service that staff offer to customers, especially vulnerable people and those

unable to access services in other ways. There is so much that just hadn’t been thought through about this proposal. We must fight to protect this vital service for our community.”

“We will continue to campaign on this issue, but time is against us. The consultation ends on Wednesday 26 July, and we will only be heard if we respond in number. We encourage Birmingham residents to respond to the consultation here.

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SUPPORT OUR ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

In the past month alone, the lives of eight people and their families have been ended or changed forever through violent driving on our roads.

In response to these tragedies, West Midlands Police released a statement on 19th June 2023 confirming what they already do, not what they will do, to make our streets safer. You can read their full statement here:

This response has done nothing to reassure our communities that West Midlands Police are treating this endemic road violence as a serious emergency.

In April 2023 the Chief Constable Craig Guildford announced a new local policing model which put Neighbourhood Policing at its core, including a pledge for “increased neighbourhood presence”. In reality, our neighbourhood teams are continually being taken away from neighbourhood teams to reduce demand on other services.

Neighbourhood policing must be prioritised if we are to tackle and prevent crime.

Click here to sign our petition

Click here to sign our petition 

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Celebrating Communities Fund

A new city-wide fund has been made available to all 69 wards across Birmingham, building on the success of the Celebrating Communities initiative, part of the Birmingham 2022 Community Fund. 

Grants of up to £10,000* are now available from Birmingham City Council (BCC) for community groups and organisations to run initiatives that meet the aims of the fund. Round 1 of the fund is open for applications from 1 June to 30 June 2023.

In Moseley Ward we have a total of £35,000 of funding available.

How to apply

Please complete the short application form (attached) and email it to celebratingcommunities@birmingham.gov.uk by Friday 30th June 2023 at 5pm.  Applicants should contact their Local Councillor(s) to discuss the application before submission. In Moseley that is Cllr Izzy Knowles and Cllr Kerry Jenkins

Applications should support the goals and objectives in the Moseley Ward Plan.

Please visit Beyond Birmingham 2022 – Celebrating Communities webpages for more information.

Come along to an information session to find out more

The NDSU will hold information sessions where potential applicants can come along to hear more about the fund, discuss ideas and find out more about what makes a good project. To register to attend one of the information sessions click the links below:

Beyond Birmingham 2022 – Celebrating Communities Fund 2023-24 Information Session Wednesday 14 June at 6pm

Beyond Birmingham 2022 – Celebrating Communities Fund 2023-24 Information Session Monday 26th June at 5:30pm

If you have any questions, please email the team at celebratingcommunities@birmingham.gov.uk

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Road Safety in Yardley Wood Road, Hayfield Road & Wake Green Road

On 1st June Clr Izzy Knowles went on a walk about with local residents, Cabinet member for Transport, Cllr Liz Clements, Cllr Jenkins and the Highways Engineer Garry Dalton to point out and discuss road traffic issues, especially speeding in Yardley Wood Road and Wake Green Road.

Izzy has made previous representations for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on Yardley Wood Road. She has also talked with the Highways Engineer about adding double yellow parking restrictions on Wake Green Road outside Moseley and St Bernards Schools.
After the walkabout she sent a further email to Birmingham City Council:

Dear B’ham Connected team

Yesterday Cllr Jenkins and I together with Cllr Clements , Highways Engineer Garry Dalton and local residents completed a walk about of Yardley Wood Road, Moseley between Swanshurst Lane/Coldbath Road and Wake Green Road. 

This is a boundary road in the Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People scheme. 

As part of the scheme this section of Yardley Wood Road is due to become 20mph. So is Wake Green Road from Yardley Wood Road to St Mary’s Row.

Two things were raised during the walkabout which we would be very grateful if you could consider in the final design of  the scheme.

Firstly – There is a big need for a pedestrian crossing on Yardley Wood Road. This could be one of two locations – where there are currently pedestrian refuges. The first is just after the junction of Windermere Road where many families and children cross to go to Windermere Playing Fields and Moseley school and the other is opposite the entrance to Moseley Bog. I have suggested in my previous feedback to the PfP scheme that if funding is the issue the proposed pedestrian crossing on Billesley Lane could be re-located to Yardley Wood Road. My rationale for this is Billesley Lane will have chicanes and speed humps which should reduce speeding considerably, whilst Yardley Wood Road is reduced to 20mph with no further measures.

Secondly: Hayfield Road is used as a cut-through between Yardley Wood Road and Wake Green Road and a number of speeding-related collisions have occurred.  It is currently 30mph. Residents there have petitioned for calming measures and are concerned traffic will increase due to the PfP scheme. Wake Green Road, between Swanshurst Lane and Yardley Wood road is currently also 30mph. There are two schools along it’s length, Moseley School and St Bernards Primary School. St Bernards in particular has reported issues with speeding including a car overturning at 8.30 am outside the school on a school day a few weeks ago. Both schools are trying to encourage pupils to walk or cycle but safety is a huge concern to staff and parents.  We discussed yesterday that these two roads could be added to the TRO to also be made 20mph as part of the PfP scheme and it would not add significantly to the cost. This seems a very sensible and cost-effective action to take to address the real and increasing issue of speeding on these roads, to assist both schools with their active travel plans and reassure residents.

I look forward to hearing more about the design and the progress of the scheme in order to update residents. 

Best wishes

Izzy

Councillor Izzy Knowles

Izzy has received a reply:

Dear Cllr Knowles,

Thank you for sharing these comments with us following your recent site visit.

I have forwarded these onto the project team responsible for producing the detailed design for the Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People project to take into account as part of this work.

We are meeting with them shortly to discuss how to keep people informed of developments over the next few months as this scheme progresses to delivery, and will update you further following this.

Regards, Joe

Joe Green

Travel Demand Manager – Transport Planning & Network Strategy

Birmingham City Council

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The Wake Green Park Dell – Saved!

Earlier this month Councillor Izzy Knowles wrote a joint letter, together with Councillor Jenkins, to the Wake Green Park Management Board concerning the proposed sale of the area known as The Dell which is behind Bowen Court.

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She first voiced her concerns a year ago when it transpired the board were considering selling The Dell, which was designated a Nature Conservation Area by Birmingham City Council in 1985, has protected species and a Tree Preservation Order, to the MIA property group .
Since that time she became further concerned about what appears to be a lack of transparency over the proposed sale towards the shareholders, who are all residents on the estate. She urged the Board to discuss the issue with shareholders at the forthcoming AGM.

Councillor Knowles has today learned that MIA property group have now withdrawn their offer to purchase The Dell after being informed by the council they would be unlikely to be given planning permission for a number of reasons, including the concerns raised by Councillors and residents.

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Kings Heath & Moseley Places for People (LTN) -approved at cabinet

On Tuesday members of the City Council Cabinet approved the Outline Business case for the Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People (LTN) project. The team who prepared the report and who will deliver the project have today published a list of frequently asked questions for residents and businesses on the council website. It includes links to other documents and studies that may be of interest and help to explain the rationale and aims of the scheme.

The timeline above shows the expected progress – the next stage being preparation of the detailed designs for the LTN, Billesley Lane Traffic Calming, Addison Road bus gate and extension of the 20 mph zone.

Please do email Councillor Knowles at izzy.knowles@birmingham.gov.uk if you have further questions.

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Planning Ahead for Moseley

Moseley Ward Plan 2022-2026

The next Councillors Ward meeting will be held on:

Thursday 26th January 2022 7pm – 8.30pm

Moseley Hive, 93, Alcester Road, B13 8DD

The meeting will be devoted to putting together our Ward Plan & Priorities for the next four years. We very much want it to reflect the aspirations, vision and experience of our residents and businesses whilst fitting into the wider Birmingham Local Plan.

The plan will focus on the themes:

A Bold Prosperous Moseley

A Bold Inclusive Moseley

A Bold Safe Moseley

A Bold Healthy Moseley

A Bold Green Moseley

A Bold Local Moseley

A further ward meeting will take place in February to follow up on matters raised previously, especially focussing on road safety. The minutes of the last meeting held on 19th October 2022 can be read here:

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Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People – latest

Birmingham City Council has published the outline business case for the second phase of the Kings Heath and Moseley Places for People scheme, setting out the next steps in the process. The business case will be presented to cabinet on 17th January. If approved the plans will see the following introduced and we will keep residents and businesses informed as to the next steps:

• Modal filters and one-way streets at various locations across the area

• A bus gate, on Addison Road

• Traffic calming along Billesley Lane

• All roads within the area, including boundary roads, to have a 20mph speed limit

BCC says: ‘Further localised consultation will be carried out on the bus gate, traffic calming and 20mph speed limit and there will be statutory consultation carried out later in 2023 on any Traffic Regulation Orders required to implement the schemes’.

If approved the scheme will now be delivered under a permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) rather than an Experimental Order as was previously proposed. BCC say: ‘Proceeding with a permanent TRO will still afford citizens and stakeholders a right to make a submission to the statutory consultation process (in advance of implementation)’.
The full report can be seen here.

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Homes for Ukraine – Blueprint for how we treat all refugees

A Birmingham Lib Dem motion received cross party support at full council today with amendments from both Tory and Labour groups all being voted through.

The motion is in support of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, calls for a review of the roll out in Birmingham, including timeliness & value for money of support provided to hosts and refugees and hopes this can provide a blueprint of how we support all refugees.
Thank you to Moseley host, Simone Schehtman and all the amazing hosts who submitted questions and provided testimonies and also to Cllrs Roger Harmer and Colin Green who submitted the motion. As Izzy is a host herself she was not allowed to speak in the debate as it was seen as a potential conflict of interest.

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Cycle Hire is coming to Moseley

The Birmingham Connected Team at Birmingham City Council have released details of the next Birmingham phase of the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme. This will see one physical docking station (Salisbury Road near to the junction with Alcester Road) and six ‘virtual’ docking stations installed in Moseley ward.

The scheme, that launched in Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton on 8 March 2021 is now operational in Birmingham City Centre, South Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Stourbridge, Solihull, Walsall and Sandwell.

Overall, the scheme will see 1,500 bikes and 170 docking stations distributed in city and town centres across the region, offering more people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and provide a convenient and sustainable alternative to the car for shorter journeys.

The virtual docking stations will be marked on the footway with dashed white lines and a sign ‘West Midlands Cycle Hire’. The area is geo-fenced so that the Global Positioning System (GPS) on the bike can pick up that it has been left within the virtual dock area.

The plans below provide further details of the six proposed locations:

Physical docking station: Salisbury Road at Alcester Road (outside the old Boots building)
Virtual docking stations: Wake Green Road outside Wake Green Surgery
Oxford Road at St Mary’s Row (On corner of M& S building)
Alcester Road at Chantry Road (Outside St Columba’s Church)
Moor Green Lane nr to Russell Rd (Outside Scientology building)
Edgbaston Road opposite Oakfield Road
Yardley Wood Road at Wake Green Road (outside Moseley Court)

On the map you will see service bays marked out near each docking station. They are points where a service vehicle may park for a short time in order for the docking stations to be rebalanced. This is an operation carried out at night, by staff in service vehicles, whereby bikes from places with large accumulations of bikes have some removed and relocated in other places where there are less numbers. A service vehicle may only be there for a few minutes, and the bay is indicated purely to show that there is somewhere legal, safe and practical for operatives to park. Bays are not restricted to other vehicles or have any markings or signage.

Both pedal bikes and e bikes can be left at the docking stations.

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All existing docking station locations are available to view at http://ow.ly/p9Yk50EPfHY

If you have any comments or questions about these locations, please email : connected@birmingham.gov.uk by Wednesday 16 November 2022.

How will the scheme work? To hire a bike, the user needs to register for the scheme on the Beryl bikes app.

Bikes are available to hire 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so residents and visitors can always access the bikes when they need one. The scheme is designed to be a cost-effective means of travel, costing as little as £1.75 for a fifteen-minute ride with pay as you ride, or £0.75 for a fifteen-minute ride with a ‘minutes bundle’. For more information and regular updates please visit www.wmcyclehire.co.uk or follow @WMCycleHire on social media.