Transport and Congestion
Our members had long raised concerns around increasing levels of congestion and the impact it was having on their output. In February 2017, the GBCC embarked on engagement process with local business to ascertain:
- How significant the issue of congestion had become for the region
- The main problems businesses faced due to congestion
- What local firms saw as the main causes of congestion
- How firms in the region accessed information on congestion
- The main solutions advocated by businesses to overcome congestion
This was undertaken via a series of meetings with local businesses and transport providers along with an online survey which was shared with the wider GBCC membership base. The findings of our research were published in a report entitled ‘Congestion in Greater Birmingham – what does it mean for local businesses?’
Our Research
65%
of businesses across Greater Birmingham and Solihull faced congestion related problems
28%
saw staff punctuality as the main problem their business faced as a result of congestion
47%
saw the volume of commuter traffic as the main cause of congestion
36%
get their traffic updates via social media and their smart devices
Recommendations for Employers and Stakeholders:
- Greater investment needed for upgrading our transport networks
- Better use of technology is needed to encourage more use of public transport
- Consolidation can help reduce freight traffic
- Give the CA and local bodies the powers they need to ensure our network remains resilient
- A Clean Air Zone can help tackle the issue of Air Pollution
- Greater collaboration required between public and private sector bodies is needed to tackle these problems
Download the Congestion Report
In March 2018, the GBCC held an event in partnership with Chamber Patron Arup and the West Midlands Combined Authority to discuss the findings of the report and to give businesses a proactive opportunity to table their views on potential solutions for the region’s transport needs in a bid to tackle congestion.
Videos and Podcasts
What is the Clean Air Zone and will I face a charge?
Birmingham is one of five cities outside of London which has been mandated to introduce a Clean Air Zone by January 2020. Click here to find out more about the proposed zone. Although not formally confirmed, the Transport for London page on Ultra Low Emission Zone Charging provides a helpful overview of whether your vehicle would be liable to be charged in the proposed zone in Birmingham.
Click here to see if your vehicle is liable to be charged Click here to access The full Birmingham City Council papers view the GBCC's official response to the Clean Air Zone consultation
GBS Business Transport Group
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Business Transport Group consists of around fifty locally based firms that meet on a quarterly basis to discuss key transport issues and how they might potentially impact businesses across the region. Members include the likes of Arup, Amey, National Express, Midlands Connect and Birmingham City Council and organisations such as Birmingham Airport and Transport for West Midlands have recently presented to the group. The Group also lobbies on behalf of the local business community around key transport issues such as infrastructure investment and enhanced transport connectivity. If you would like to find more, please contact Raj Kandola on 0121 725 9002.
Hot Topic - Briefing Documents
