The West Midland Branch covers the counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and West Midlands.  It sits at the heart of the country and is at the heart of the transport infrastructure network.

 

 

The West Midland is one of the larger Branches in the Institution with membership nearing 1000. The Branch was formed in 1959 when the Midland Branch was divided into smaller, more manageable areas.

 

The Branch has provided four Presidents of the Institution and two National Treasurers. These are:

 

Presidents:

 

 

Treasurers:

 

 

The Branch has always been well represented on IHT’s Council and very much involved with the work of the Council’s Boards. There are 5 members of the Branch Committee currently holding Council positions.

 

The Committee organises a full programme of technical papers to cover a range of topical and interesting subjects. Meetings are held mostly in Birmingham – the centre of the area – but also across the Branch area. Joint meetings are often arranged with other relevant Institutions.

 

The Branch also organises site visits to interesting local construction projects. These have included rail freight terminals, airports, major redevelopment schemes, as well as road construction projects.

 

Each January, the Supper Evening provides a well attended, popular and fun evening with an informal flavour.

 

The Annual Dinner, held in Solihull and preceded by the AGM, is another highlight of the Branch calendar. Always well attended and with entertaining speakers, it remains an event to be seen at!

 

The Branch has organised the Institution’s National Workshop for over 20 years. The Alan Brant National Seminar, held at the Spa Centre in Leamington Spa, attracts good attendance from across the UK and provides an excellent day of learning and the opportunity for members with similar interests to meet and discuss topics to their mutual benefit.

 

The Branch has held two ‘Team Challenges’. Aimed principally at younger members, the teams are required to complete intellectual and physical tasks in competition. The day has proved so popular, and such a competitive and fun event, that we have been unable to restrict entry to younger members!

 

This year the Branch is reviving a Young Professionals Paper Competition.

 

The annual Skittles evening at Studley is always popular and an excellent social event.

 

A Branch Golf Competition is held each year and provides a competitive day out. A team is entered each year into the National Locan Cup Competition.

 

A41 Warwick Road Smart Routes– 12^th November 
 
Despite the atrocious weather and even worse traffic there was a good turnout at last weeks evening paper by George Bailes of Birmingham City Council. George gave a very comprehensive presentation on how the authority, in partnership with Solihull MBC and Centro, with advice and technical input provided by Atkins, is adopting a Smarter Routes principle to the A41. It is an extension to previous work undertaken on Route Management Strategies. The A41 Warwick Road was identified as a Pilot Corridor as it is a key arterial route and the main route between Birmingham and Solihull. It has a mix of residential, business, retail, industry, educational and leisure. The Smart Route initiative is a whole route approach that considers the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, urban realm, road safety, freight, buses, general traffic and environmental aspects. The concept is to identify a series of improvements that looks at the needs of all these users and looks to address points of conflict.
 
According to George this is the first time a Smarter Routes approach has been adopted in the UK. If successful the principles will be applied to other corridors within the West Midlands.
 
There has been extensive consultation along the A41 corridor with engagement workshops to brief stakeholders. Due to the diverse nature of the route, the corridor is being considered as a number of segments. These segments were determined by land use, major traffic junctions and types of frontages. Issues and opportunities have been identified for each segment. Each segment has then undergone a prioritisation hierarchy in terms of improving safety, supporting sustainable transport, congestion, improving the environment and supporting regeneration. Projects have then been ranked on policy objectives, timescales, cost and deliverability.
 
The overall scheme is at a stage where a route strategy is being formalised and potential projects and interventions are being development. It is envisage that possible 'quick-win' projects will be delivered over the next 18 to 24 months.