A ‘bus gate’ goes live in Blackheath from Tuesday 1 September, aimed at helping bus passengers and other pedestrians feel safer when shopping in the town centre.
Sandwell Council is encouraging people to visit Blackheath town centre and find out what local businesses and traders have to offer.
The bus gate is a section of road reserved for buses (as well as pedal bikes and the emergency services) between Birmingham Road and Long Lane. The bus gate going live is the final piece of the new Blackheath Bus Interchange, which opened last year.
Any unauthorised vehicle seen on CCTV driving through the bus gate will receive a £70 penalty charge notice (PCN). This is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
The bus gate will be operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The bus gate is well signed and has a different colour surface, to warn motorists of the restricted area.
Councillor Bob Jones, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, said: “This is about bus passengers and other pedestrians feeling safer when they come to shop in the town centre.
“People can still drive through Blackheath town centre along Market Place via the new road layout that was installed last year.
“Whether you are travelling in a car or van, by bus, by bike or on foot, now is the perfect time to find out what Blackheath has to offer – come along and support local businesses and market traders.”
The bus gate seeks to boost safety and access for pedestrians, especially bus passengers being dropped off and picked up in Blackheath town centre, as well as keeping traffic moving smoothly through the town.
As part of the government-funded Rowley Regis Towns Fund Programme, the new bus interchange and public space were installed last year to provide a more inviting and accessible town centre, with bus stops in a central place, widened footpaths and new zebra crossings. Improvements are encouraging more people to visit the town’s shops and market.