Hockley Heath to Solihull Bus Route Change

BUS ROUTE CHANGES – S3/S3W
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has recently undergone a tendering process for bus providers and also a consultation of proposed route changes, with the intention of these taking effect from 23 February 2019. The consultation stated:

“S3 No change proposed to the existing route from Hockley Heath to Solihull within the February changes. Solihull to Wythall section – see options 2, 3 and 4 under S2”.

However, as a result of the consultation and appointing a new provider – Landflight, the route from Hockley Heath to Solihull has now changed and no longer connects to Knowle (it is now a circular route which connects to Dorridge, Bentley Heath and Solihull, or alternatively to Solihull via BVP, Cheswick Green and Shirley named A7/A8). You can view the routes here: https://www.landflight.co.uk/bus-services/

Anyone wishing to travel directly to Knowle will need to catch 2 buses, changing at Dorridge (the A3 will run from Dorridge to Knowle). The Parish Council have spoken with TfWM and raised many issues, in particular school children travelling to Arden. TfWM stated that they are currently talking to Landflight to see whether they can extend the service for school children.

The Parish Council has also raised the issue of the route change with a number of organisations and individuals. TfWM state that if you have any comments about the changes to the S3/S3W service then contact Customer Services so all comments can be logged and looked at. The email is customerservices@tfwm.org.uk

Community Speedwatch

Community Speedwatch is a community driven road safety initiative which empowers Community volunteers to address their concerns about inappropriate traffic speed around their places of work and/or residence, with the support of the police.


West Midlands Police Community Speedwatch scheme will involve trained volunteers from the community monitoring the speeds of vehicles with approved speed detection devices. Where vehicle speeds are found to be inappropriate. They are looking for volunteers to help run this scheme.


2 training Sessions at Solihull Police Station will be held on the following dates

28/2/19 – 19.00hrs

7/3/18 – 19.00hrs


If you are interested please email PCSO Mark Rice at rural@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

Flood Update

Acting as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for Solihull, SMBC has completed an investigation into the unprecedented flooding on 27 May 2018 and has now published findings, as required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

SMBC investigated each of the affected areas to identify the causes and mechanisms of the flooding. This investigatory work has involved detailed condition surveys of watercourses, culverts and highway drainage systems. SMBC would like to thank all those who have worked with them to share their first-hand experiences of the flooding. This information has been fed back to help build a more informed picture of what happened in May 2018.

SMBC are currently exploring what action it may be possible to take to mitigate against such an event in the future. Some of these options are detailed in their action plan. SMBC will now need to see what funding can be secured, as well as consider the potential benefits of any proposed flood reduction schemes.

The following link takes you to the report compiled by SMBC:

eservices.solihull.gov.uk/mgInternet/documents/g7141/Public%20reports%20pack%2031st-Jan-2019%2018.00%20CPH%20Environment%20and%20Housing%20Decision%20Session.pdf?T=10