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I know the new hospital doesn't open until next week, but surely all the 'construction works' should be completed by now?

https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1840678015602147791

Also seems a little disheartening to read that the new bus stops on Grove Lane for the 82 and 87 are already being affectionately known as the 'McDonalds Interchange'.

Interesting there is no mention of any diversion for the 54 service, presumably just missing out the hospital stop and continuing along Grove Lane?

It's strange to hear it called the McDonald's interchange, as someone born and bred in Smethwick, it will always be the Cape of Good Hope island opposite the brewery and the new 82/87 stop is by the George Grove Lane. Nice little pub. I saw a band that had two ex members of Musical Youth there. They were brilliant and should've had a lot more success.

I have a 1984 WMPTE Map and a 2002 Birmingham Map in physical. I have done a photo as high res as possible for upload to here and it is just about readable when zooming in. They make interesting reading comparing now to 20 and 40 years ago. Didn't realise till I just worked out the age how old these maps actually are.

Thank you so much for the 1984 map, it's brought back a lot of good and not quite as good memories for me, especially seeing routes I used all the time at that time.

It's amazing how the routes and numbers have changed over the 39 years since that map was printed, it's a real slice of history.

Maybe the 45 could stay with a route change, not going through Charlemont but as the 401/3 did, run straight to Stone Cross, then along Hollyhedge Road, as another poster mentioned, reroute one of the 40s to go through Charlemont and then straight up to Stone Cross and then down Hall Green Road, and call that variation the 40A.
Yew Tree has always to my knowledge been a estate that relied on the route pre COVID, obviously I can't say how it's used now as I live in Handsworth and drive so rarely use buses.
The 002 I do have recent knowledge of the route as my husband drives for Diamond and part of his rota is that route as he works the Merry Hill rota.
When I have caught it with him driving (by the way I always pay for the journeys either cash or by tapping my debit card at Merry Hill and tapping off at Weoley Castle then vice versa on the return journey) the route has been quite well used, but there aren't many passengers who get on in Weoley Castle who go all the way to Merry Hill, a lot get off in Halesowen and then you get other passengers from Halesowen going to Merry Hill.
About timekeeping, there is a lot of pinch points on the route where drivers will lose time, narrow roads where schools are and a lot of roadworks. Manor Way has been especially difficult the past few months. Drivers don't like running late or having to run dead to a certain point and then resume service, they want to provide a service to their passengers, it's difficult when you get stuck in traffic jams and start to run late. My husband will come home feeling miserable because he has been late one trip and hasn't been able to catch up. It's a mentally demanding job.
Hopefully something can be sorted out for the 45 as the other two routes have been sorted out and maybe the Government should provide more help for transport services post COVID.

The 11A & C are on diversion overnight in Handsworth as Rookery Road is shut from 1900 to 0500 for the next couple of weeks. Not certain,  but I imagine they will divert up Grove Lane to Church Lane island then NLR from there. Gonna be a noisy couple of weeks for us!

It's actually a diamond Optare versa
30968

I made that post from looking on Bus Times and after reading your reply, asked my husband when he got home as he had actually spent a portion of today's duty on the bus and it was a ex Claribel bus. Showed him the photo on Bus Times and  he said that was the bus he was driving, but it's now a Diamond bus. 

YJ57 BOF (32123) ex Claribels is currently on the 002 heading to Merry Hill.

The gates are already installed, so you should be able to see them. 

The Barrier on the entrance is due to be installed around 9th December.  After which all three exits need access control.  It feels like it should be completed this side of Christmas



Simon

Ah, that's why he had his photo taken for a i.d. badge last week then, I did wonder when he mentioned it. I'll have a look later on when I go and pick him up.

Ah right, serves me right for listening to drivers then! Still, that'll make the walk between the two yards a bit easier.

A lot of drivers use the side gate in Britannia Street just before the canal bridge, that's the way my husband usually walks from the car park on the days he takes my car. He'll be pleased if gates are going to be installed at the car park and traffic office though, bit shorter walk.

I used to like watching the buses return to the car park on John Street, while waiting to pick my husband up from his shift. Especially the one who at the start of November displayed Merry Christmas on his destination board!

As far as I am aware the details of the Ask Andy events are always listed in local free newspapers such as The Sandwell Cronchicle and the paid for Express & Star and Birmingham Mail as well as local libraries the only buses it can be carried on.in Sandwell are the West Midlands Bus routes which sadly do not apply to Smethwick as yet.

Thank you for that reply. I will keep my eyes open in the future and try  and attend a meeting as it sounds quite interesting.

Still waiting for our Sandwell Champions to be delivered to my home which is a B67 postcode, therefore part of Sandwell. Hurry up please Royal Mail!

My neighbours got quite interested as well.

I do have a genuine question though, the last Sandwell Ask Andy meetings were held on 10/10/19. Were they publicised on the local buses or at bus stops or was it a online access only? I'm asking because I am quite interested in the travel infrastructure in the West Midlands generally and especially in my own little corner of Sandwell.

If it was online access only, may I suggest that it further meetings are to be held, that fliers are placed on local buses with dates and times and also local media.

Sandwell Champions is being distributed by Royal Mail to support the local postal service and I have posted the time and date of the next Ask Andy event open to all.

That really doesn't answer my questions though.

You stated that Sandwell households received Sandwell Champions yesterday, I live in Smethwick which is part of Sandwell and we didn't receive one via our postman.

Also you have, I agree published the next Ask Andy meeting on the forum and I'm sure it will be a very interesting and informative meeting, why was it when Mr Street was out and about in Sandwell, he couldn't find the time to speak to residents of my town when he spent time in nearly all the other parts of the borough?

I know we have got the platinum 87 & 82 which has been great, but I'm sure a lot of my fellow bus using neighbours would have appreciated a chance to chat to the mayor about our transport links.

[Sandwell Champions]

Sandwell residents will be delighted to receive today a FREE copy of Sandwell Champions tabloid newspaper delivered direct to their letterboxes which features 12 excellent photos of Andy Street engaging with the good people of Blackheath, Great Bridge, Friar Park, Oldbury, Tipton, Tividale, Warley, Wednesbury and West Bromwich. The newspaper outlines all Mr Streets stunning achievements for Sandwell  residents and includes an excellent interview with The Prime Minister on what he plans for the residents of Blackheath. I am personally very proud of a whole page entitled "Andy Street - getting to grips with the transport challenge" which outlines the stunning achievements Mr Street had made for bus use in Sandwell & includes an actual picture of him on a bus together with him inspecting brand new 82 & 87s.  I am sure you join me in thanking Jay Singh Sohall for coordinating the free newspaper for the benefit of all Sandwell Residents & Sandwell Bus Users.

I live in Sandwell and haven't received one through my door.

Perhaps Mr Street would consider coming to Smethwick which before you say anything is not Warley and asking us what we would like from our bus services.

Diamond bus has rear ended a 48 in WB bus station.

Saw that earlier, about 2.30? The Diamond bus looked a bit of a mess.

Was that why there was a NXWM bus parked in the little car park the back of the old Kings cinema (showing my age there!)

Seriously, hope no one was injured.

There is obviously no demand for commercial services in the area at the time you require may I suggest you contact TfWM on the following link if you feel there is a demand for more from TfWM
customerservices@tfwm.org.uk
Whatever you or anyone else thinks on this forum I will never stop campaigning for the people of Blackheath to get the best possible bus service possible within the current legislation if you do not want that for the good people of Blackheath that is entirely up to you but having a very privileged  position that is what I will post and campaign for and frankly I don't care at all what you, the moderators and other posters think about my comments I just want what is best for Blackheath a town I have lived in for 51 years and proud to serve them as the TfWM Bus Champion for the town whatever you or anyone posts will never change my opinions and love for my town. This is the Blackheath thread I am not sure why you are posting comments buses about Smethwick here as it is a long time since there was a direct bus to Smethwick from Blackheath so your comments are irrelevant to this thread.

Please do not answer me in that rude way, it was a comparison, nothing else. I think it is best if you don't answer my posts anymore as you are extremely rude and condescending.

I suggest if you feel so strongly about bus services, you stand as a independent candidate in the next council elections. I'm sure the many people outside Poundland will vote for you.

Please do not bother to reply, this is my last post on the subject.

ETA: the 89 was the last direct bus from Smethwick to Blackheath, that stopped running around 2/3 years ago, so not that long really.
That really is my last words on the subject.

@PinkBus - the below notice/additional forum functions apply to both you & everybody that keeps whining....
http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=5631.0

That basically Rowley/Blackheath are blessed to have better services than in West Smethwick... which they do...

Thanks Jack, my point exactly.

I can't catch another bus to my home from West Brom because there isn't one. I'm also unable to walk very far so catching the 80/A to the High Street in Smethwick is too far for me to walk or walking along dark streets, past a park. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm female and feel unsafe doing that.

I'd love it if there was one extra 89 short to the Cape around 18.30 as there is on Saturdays, it would make my life easier, but I also understand that there may not be a need for a bus at that time.

In a ideal world, there would be a bus service that goes exactly where everyone wants to go, but in the real world that can't happen. Traffic is appalling these days, the route I live o  has so many bottlenecks, I feel sorry for the drivers at times.

I've said before on hers, I would love to see the old 444 return in some form, but as this is going off topic, I'll leave it at that.

ETA: the platinum are lovely, I was on a 87 on Saturday and it was the warmest bus I've been on in a long time. The only thing I'm not keen on is the legroom, being short, there's rather too much for me!!