More Solihull road closures announced as drivers question the disruption

Several roads in and around Shirley are due to close next week, with Dunard Road, Houndsfield Lane, Longmore Road and Union Road among those affected.

There will also be restrictions on Henwood Lane in Catherine de Barnes, adding to a growing list of temporary road closures being faced by motorists across Solihull.

The latest closures have prompted questions from drivers about the frequency of road restrictions and the impact they are having on local journeys.

For motorists travelling through Shirley, the closures mean a number of roads will be affected within a matter of days.

Houndsfield Lane is due to close on October 2 and 3, while Dunard Road is scheduled to close on October 5 and 6.

Longmore Road and Union Road are both due to be closed from October 5 until October 9.

Meanwhile, Henwood Lane in Catherine de Barnes is scheduled to close from October 5 until October 8.

The restrictions come alongside other temporary traffic measures in the borough, with drivers increasingly having to check whether their usual routes are affected before setting off.

The reasons for individual closures can vary, including roadworks, utility works, construction and other activities requiring temporary traffic restrictions.

However, the latest batch has led to questions about whether the number of closures is increasing and how the council decides when restrictions are necessary.

What's Up Solihull contacted Solihull Council to ask why there are so many road closures currently being introduced across the borough, whether the number has increased compared with previous years and what is being done to minimise disruption to drivers.

The council had not responded at the time of publication.

For drivers in Shirley, the immediate concern will be the number of roads affected at the same time.

The closures mean motorists may need to find alternative routes, while residents living on or near the affected roads could also face changes to their usual journeys.

The latest restrictions highlight the wider issue facing local authorities of balancing essential works and temporary closures with the impact they have on people travelling around the borough.

Further details on the reasons for each closure and any diversion arrangements are expected to be provided through the relevant traffic notices.

Roads affected

• Houndsfield Lane, Shirley: October 2-3

• Dunard Road, Shirley: October 5-6

• Longmore Road, Shirley: October 5-9

• Union Road, Shirley: October 5-9

• Henwood Lane, Catherine de Barnes: October 5-8

We will update this story if Solihull Council responds to our questions about the number of closures and the disruption they are causing.