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Elliott Brown Health & wellbeing
29 Jun 2021 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The message from the residents of Springfield Road, Kings Heath is clear: "SLOW DOWN 20 IS PLENTY!"

Since the introduction of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme to Kings Heath in 2020, it has resulted in heavy levels of traffic on the High Street and Vicarage Road. As a result, car drivers have been taking shortcuts down Springfield Road. The speed limit is 20 miles per hour, but many are exceeding this. Residents have yarn bombed lampposts and bollards all the way down the road.

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The message from the residents of Springfield Road, Kings Heath is clear: "SLOW DOWN 20 IS PLENTY!"





Since the introduction of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme to Kings Heath in 2020, it has resulted in heavy levels of traffic on the High Street and Vicarage Road. As a result, car drivers have been taking shortcuts down Springfield Road. The speed limit is 20 miles per hour, but many are exceeding this. Residents have yarn bombed lampposts and bollards all the way down the road.


The problem with Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Kings Heath

While the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Kings Heath has been designed for pedestrians and cyclists. It has created issues for car drivers. Residents live on those streets, and how do they get their cars out? As a result, traffic is now always busy up and down the Kings Heath High Street, as well as Vicarage Road, due to so many streets being closed to motorists. Residents of Vicarage Road have signs in their windows, such as "We need clean air too!".

 

Yarn bombing on Springfield Road, Kings Heath

Over on Springfield Road (from Poplar Road, Valentine Road and Cambridge Road towards Brook Lane) the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. There is even speed bumps. But idiot car drivers continue to exceed this speed limit.

So local residents have been getting busy during the last lockdown, knitting, and yarn bombing lampposts and bollards up and down the road. As you will see in the examples below.

Photos taken on the afternoon of Sunday 27th June 2021. Starting from near Cambridge Road Methodist Church.

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Instead of driving a car down here at 100 miles per hour, perhaps walk, or ride a bike? Or catch a bus? (note that riding private electronic scooters is illegal on roads or pavements, even in Kings Heath).

 

This is near the Outer Circle bus route 11. The 11A bus stop on Brook Lane near Moseley Golf Club, while the bus stop for the 11C is on Addison Road. The 35 and 50 are a short walk away on the High Street (walk via Valentine Road, Poplar Road, Heathfield Road, Institute Road or Addison Road).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Elliott Brown Transport
21 Jun 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

WM 6600 bus in Walsall

On Saturday 19th June 2021, National Express West Midlands had a vintage bus rally around the Black Country. From Walsall to Wolverhampton. I travelled up to Walsall by train and went to Walsall Arboretum. After leaving, I only saw the WM 6600 bus on Broadway North, before it went up Littleton Street East. I did not spot any other heritage buses around.

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WM 6600 bus in Walsall





On Saturday 19th June 2021, National Express West Midlands had a vintage bus rally around the Black Country. From Walsall to Wolverhampton. I travelled up to Walsall by train and went to Walsall Arboretum. After leaving, I only saw the WM 6600 bus on Broadway North, before it went up Littleton Street East. I did not spot any other heritage buses around.


WM Travel bus 6600

I was aware of National Express West Midlands having a vintage bus rally in the Black Country. This included their modern buses in the heritage liveries. This was on Saturday 19th June 2021.

Got the train up to Walsall Station, and walked to Walsall Arboretum. After a walk around the park, I exited from the Arboretum Lodge that I entered earier, I saw a vintage bus on Broadway North.

 

I quickly got some photos of it while it was at the traffic lights, but was a car in the way.

dndimg alt="WM 6600 bus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM 6600 Walsall (Jun 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was no time to wait for the car to move out of the way.

dndimg alt="WM 6600 bus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM 6600 Walsall (Jun 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was able to get one more shot of the bus with licence plate no: NOC 600R as it passed the lights. With route 39 on the rear. It was heading onto Littleton Street East. These roads are part of the Walsall ring road.

dndimg alt="WM 6600 bus" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM 6600 Walsall (Jun 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I'd previously seen the same bus (WM Travel 6600, NOC 600R) at the Yardley Wood Bus Garage open day, back in November 2018. When it was displaying as route 74 to Wednesbury via Wednesbury (The modern 74 bus route goes from Birmingham to Dudley via West Bromwich).

dndimg alt="Yardley Wood bus garage 2018" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Yardley Wood Bus Garage Open Day 2018 (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Look out for a Walsall Arboretum post coming soon!

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Elliott Brown Health & wellbeing
25 May 2021 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Getting vaccinated at Millennium Point

My turn to be vaccinated came around in mid May 2021. I booked both at Millennium Point. And I had my first jab on the 19th May 2021. You go in from the ground floor, and get checked. Lift up to 2nd floor, and get directed to chairs to sit down at. After the jab, you go to another chair to sit and wait 15 minutes before leaving. I'll be back in August 2021.

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Getting vaccinated at Millennium Point





My turn to be vaccinated came around in mid May 2021. I booked both at Millennium Point. And I had my first jab on the 19th May 2021. You go in from the ground floor, and get checked. Lift up to 2nd floor, and get directed to chairs to sit down at. After the jab, you go to another chair to sit and wait 15 minutes before leaving. I'll be back in August 2021.


My experience of going to Millennium Point for my 1st vaccination. When my time came for my age range, the NHS posted me a letter with a link to go to. So I booked both vaccinations for Millennium Point. The first one a few days after the letter came, the second for August 2021.

The text from the GP surgery came a day later, by which time I'd already booked for Millennium Point had had to let them know I wasn't going to the local health centres.

 

My first appointment was on the morning of 19th May 2021. When you get in, you show your reference number and they ask you various questions. You are then directed to the right, then to the lift. Press 2 to go up to the 2nd floor.

Once up, they direct you to a seat to wait to be called. You then get called, same questions again, and the nurse talks to you while injecting the vaccine into your arm.

After this you are directed to another seat, to wait for about 15 minutes, resting after your jab. There maybe side effects within the 24 hours after having it, but should be fine after two days.

Plus you get a card, which you will need to take for the 2nd vaccine appointment. Put it in your wallet or purse.

 

April 2021

Photos below, taken during a walk into Eastside during mid April 2021. Passing Millennium Point. This would be the same route I took going to my vaccine a month later. HS2 works on the right.

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Millennium Point seen on the left from Eastside City Park. Thinktank is due to reopen at the end of May 2021.

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The Millennium Point Covid-19 Vaccination Centre sign from Eastside City Park. I would be back in May.

dndimg alt="Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Millennium Point (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

That day got the train to and from the City Centre. But you can also get the bus, and walk to Millennium Point.

dndimg alt="Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MP CSS BV 17042021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

May 2021

Leaving Millennium Point towards the Jennens Road exit. I noticed that Six/Eight Kafe was gone, and was now another cafe. This exit takes you past the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, towards Aston University.

dndimg alt="Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Millennium Point (May 2021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Elliott Brown Green travel
27 Apr 2021 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

New blue cycle lane from Selly Oak Triangle up the Bristol Road

The final phase of extending the Selly Oak Bypass is now complete. Harborne Lane has been bi-directional to traffic since the end of October 2020, and it seems that Chapel Lane is the same. The blue cycle lane runs past the former Sainsbury's store. Beyond that is red and white bollards past the new Sainsbury's close to Selly Oak Station and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

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New blue cycle lane from Selly Oak Triangle up the Bristol Road





The final phase of extending the Selly Oak Bypass is now complete. Harborne Lane has been bi-directional to traffic since the end of October 2020, and it seems that Chapel Lane is the same. The blue cycle lane runs past the former Sainsbury's store. Beyond that is red and white bollards past the new Sainsbury's close to Selly Oak Station and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.


New Blue Cycle Lane from Selly Oak Triangle along the Bristol Road

The work to extend the Selly Oak Bypass to the Bristol Road was completed at the end of 2020. A new blue cycle lane has been installed that runs down the side of the former Sainsbury's store (the plans for student flats were thankfully rejected).

 

Harborne Lane at Selly Oak Triangle

From Oak Tree Lane and Bristol Road in Selly Oak, you can see that traffic now goes in both directions, where as before it was one way. The ambulance was crossing from Oak Tree Lane to Harborne Lane.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The start of the new blue cycle lane at Selly Oak Triangle. Lots of new traffic lights and lampposts, no benches or trees at this point.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Part of the cycle lane comes from Harborne Lane.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bristol Road towards Chapel Lane

There is a new bus lane that goes from Harborne Lane onto the Bristol Road. The bus stops have been moved to outside of the former Sainsbury's store.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing over the bus lane. It all looks nice and new. Not sure if any cyclist has used it yet.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is still trees growing in front of the former Sainsbury's store. Re-located bus stops on the right.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

New young trees have been planted down here. Let's hope that they last and have a chance to grow.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Frankie & Benny's ahead at the Chapel Lane junction with the Bristol Road, sadly closed down in 2020 during the previous lockdowns.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Chapel Lane at the Bristol Road junction

At the Chapel Lane junction with the Bristol Road. Before this was one way, but it is now bi-directional as well. Speed limit of 20 mph. Former Frankie & Benny's restaurant on the right.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bristol Road beyond Chapel Lane

No longer bus stop outside of the ex Frankie & Benny's. But there is some new cycle racks. TouchBase Pears up ahead on the right.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The pop up cycle lane that is now on the Bristol Road in Selly Oak near TouchBase Pears. Up ahead is the new Sainsbury's and Unite student accommodation at the Selly Oak Shopping Park.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Triangle" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Triangle (Apr 2021) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Daniel Sturley Art; Culture & creativity
26 Jan 2021 - Daniel Sturley
Gallery

Weekend snow in Birmingham enjoyed by our creatives

The snow overnight on Saturday the 24th January gave a great opportunity for some families and other socially 'bubbled' people to come out for a while and create some great snow sculptures in Centenary Square, as well as all over the city we reckon. Daniel was out to grab some photos later in the day to record some for posterity and inspiration.

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Weekend snow in Birmingham enjoyed by our creatives





The snow overnight on Saturday the 24th January gave a great opportunity for some families and other socially 'bubbled' people to come out for a while and create some great snow sculptures in Centenary Square, as well as all over the city we reckon. Daniel was out to grab some photos later in the day to record some for posterity and inspiration.


Creativity in Centenary Square

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Creativity by the canals at Old Turn Junction

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Creativity at Victoria Square

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Creativity in Central Square, Brindleyplace

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