Red Routes in Sandwell
Red routes are in force throughout Sandwell. This means no stopping or parking is allowed on the following routes:
Cradley Heath
- Forge Lane (A4100)
- Lower High Street (A4100)
- Upper High Street (A4100)
- Foxoak Street (A4100)
Great Barr
- Newton Road (A4041)
- Birmingham Road (A34)
- Old Walsall Road (B4124)
- Wilderness Lane
Oldbury
- Moat Road
- Wolverhampton Road (A4123)
- Brookfields Road
- Pryor Road
- Oldbury Ringway (A457) - West side between Churchbridge and Bromford Road
- Churchbridge (A4034)
Smethwick
- Grove Lane (A457)
- Soho Way (A457)
- Tollhouse Way (A457)
- Oldbury Road (A457)
Tipton
- Horseley Heath (A461)
- Dudley Port (A461)
- Sedgley Road West (A457)
- Sedgley Road East (A457)
- Central Avenue
- Park Lane West (A457)
Tividale
- Burnt Tree (A461)
- New Birmingham Road (A4123)
Wednesbury
- Axletree Way
- Patent Drive
West Bromwich
- Birmingham Road (A41)
- The Expressway (A41)
- All Saints Way (A4031)
- Connor Road
- Kenrick Way (A4182)
- Telford Way (A4252)
- Trinity Way (A4031)
- Kelvin Way (A4182)
- Bromford Road (A4034)
Some of these restrictions affect match day parking for West Bromwich Albion and away fans at The Hawthorns.
There are clearly designated areas for parking and loading along the red route.
Red routes came into force in August 2012.
Match day parking
- Parking on the red route is restricted to marked bays only, providing approximately 420 spaces.
- Parking is not permitted on the central reserves of dual carriageways, or close to main junctions.
- Parking in marked bays is not permitted before 7pm on a weekday evening.
- Parking in marked bays is not permitted at anytime at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday
Match day parking is also available in Lewisham Park, off Dartmouth Road.
What is a red route?
Red routes are a way of making our most important roads work better for everyone - the people who travel on them, the businesses based along the route and the residents who live nearby. They work mainly by reducing delays to keep traffic moving, particularly at the busiest times.
Red routes use single or double red to indicate where and when stopping is not permitted together with boxes painted on the road to indicate where vehicles may legally park and load.
How are red routes enforced? Are there fines?
The red route is enforced by Sandwell Council's Civil Enforcement Officers and the CCTV vehicles. People found to be parked on these restrictions will receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
Why do we need red routes in the West Midlands?
Currently, it is estimated that traffic congestion costs the West Midlands £2.2bn per year in lost productivity. With traffic increasing every year, doing nothing about traffic congestion is not an option.
One of the key proposals put forward by the West Midlands Local Transport Plan to reduce the traffic congestion problem is a comprehensive network of red routes. These are designed to keep traffic flowing across the West Midlands into the future on the most important roads through better management of parking and loading.
What are the benefits for road users?
The West Midlands Red Route network helps:
- Keep traffic moving
- Reduce journey times across the West Midlands Red Route network
- Reduce queuing on our roads, improving air quality and reducing noise
- Improve pedestrian and cycle facilities
- Improve safety for all road users.
How will I know when I am entering a red route area?
Red lines on the road tell mtorists where they can and cannot stop or load, while signs with red borders at the side of the road indicate restrictions which apply and where you can legally stop.
How do I know where I can park and load/unload?
Road markings and signs are used to indicate where controlled parking and dedicated loading areas for delivery vehicles is permitted on the Red Route.
How are red lines different from yellow lines?
In simple terms, yellow lines indicate where waiting restrictions apply.
- Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time whereas a single yellow line means no waiting between certain times of the day as indicated on nearby signs. A driver may stop for passengers to board or alight and to load / unload.
- Red route controls indicate where stopping is either prohibited or restricted and where you can park and unload. Double red lines mean no stopping at any time for any reason, whereas a single red line means no stopping between certain times of the day as indicated on nearby signs.
This means that unlike yellow lines you may not stop for any reason. You can only stop in marked boxes on the road which indicate areas where you may legally park and load/unload.
Are there any exceptions to the 'no stopping' rule?
There are exemptions, which allow stopping to take place, mainly for safety purposes for example:
- To prevent an accident occurring
- If your vehicle has broken down
- When directed to do so by a police officer, and
- To allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Hackney carriages and vehicles displaying a Disabled Badge may also stop to pick up and drop off passengers, but they must not park.
Do different rules apply for different users e.g. for businesses?
The rules apply to all users of the public highway. However, your local council may consider it appropriate to issue a temporary permit to allow certain activities to occur, e.g. delivery of a heavy item of furniture or equipment.