LATEST NEWS: is at the bottom of this page.
Balsall Common is a village situated in the Heart of England. Theoretically, it
is superbly located, being within easy access to Birmingham International
Airport, the NEC, International Railway Station as well as the following
motorways: M6, M42, M1, M40, M75. It is also lies within the catchments area for
the cities of Birmingham and Coventry and towns like, Solihull, Leamington-Spa,
Warwick and Kenilworth.
The ambience of living in Balsall Common has been insidiously ruined by the huge
amounts of traffic that pass through (or drive around) the village on a daily
basis. This ongoing problem is due to two reasons. The first is mentioned in the
above paragraph; while the West Midlands is an ideal base to reside in, it is
now regarded as one of the busiest regions in the United Kingdom. With Balsall
Common being in the heart of a huge triangle of major motorways, traffic flow
was always going to be problematic, but the second cause for this chaotic
traffic is due to a local authority housing policy that has seen an abundance of
new (large) property estates built in Balsall Common within the last ten years.
"But Kenilworth is busy as well," complacent residents will tell you. That is
surely an unfair comparison. Kenilworth is a town, while Balsall Common is still
regarding as a village. However, with two hotels, eight pubs, two petrol
stations, four churches, three banks plus an overcrowded Post Office/Newsagent,
the term village is a ridiculous misnomer.
These pictures, obtained by residents of Balsall Common, clearly show the
congestion, frustration and at times the madness residents and fellow travellers
suffer when travelling through Balsall Common.
The Balsall Common Doctors' Surgery offers a car park that is far too small and
often patients find there are no more car parking spaces left at the time of
their appointment. The above picture shows vehicles overflowing from the car
park situated at the rear. There are suggestions of a new location for the
Doctors' Surgery - but as yet no firm plans have been confirmed.
Entering the village travelling on the A452 towards Leamington, you will be
undoubtedly slowed when entering Balsall Common. If you want to enter the
shopping area itself, you will have to wait patiently as the picture above
shows. It is unlikely that you will find a parking space. In peak times, a wait
of in excess of ten minutes is easily possible (starting at the George and the
Tree and ending at Kelsey Lane (traffic lights) when travelling on the
Kenilworth Road.
Pandemonium! The busy Balsall Common Village Station Road. Here, pedestrians
have to dodge the slow moving traffic (shown above) to get from one side of the
road to another. No pedestrian crossing facilities are offered on this road and
the parking spaces available are far too small for modern vehicles. Residents
frequently talk about cars reversing in to each other such is the mish-mash of
car parking spaces and the frustration of drivers.
The ridiculous one entrance and exit to the library car park. As can bee seen
from the above photograph, cars exiting the car park prevent other cars from
entering.
Result is even more traffic in Station Road and irate drivers!
The Library car park, full to over flowing with cars on a weekday. All these
cars have to exit and enter through the one small opening on Station Road (above
picture.) Disabled car park spaces are available here, but with no proper
supervision they are often used by non blue badge holders.
Phone camera picture of the A452 Kenilworth Road (travelling from Kenilworth and
adjacent to The Heart of England School). Note row after row of red brake lights
ahead and a seemingly endless stream of oncoming traffic. This small section of
road has to have two pedestrian crossings.
The village enjoys the facilities of two petrol stations. However, due to excess
usage (as pictured above) you have to wait patiently to take your turn at the
pumps.
Meeting House Lane. This lane is a rat-run and race track complete with speed
bumps and pinch-points! It is hazardous for pedestrians to walk along and as the
above picture shows, when the field is being used for sports, indiscriminate
parking (on grass verges) causes even more hazards for pedestrians and drivers.
This lane has such a negative traffic problem it requires two different types of
traffic calming measures - both fail miserably.
Balsall Common Railway Station car park. The picture above shows normal weekday
occupancy levels. This car park is so full the two small hatchbacks (above) have
to squeeze behind each other under a lamp. Let the train take the strain? Not in
Balsall Common!
Mid afternoon and another view of Station Road. The BT van waits patiently to
travel through the shopping area while the driver of the silver Volvo estate is
no doubt searching for that elusive parking space.
Half past two in the afternoon, and traffic is busy (as usual) on the Kenilworth
Road.
At a quarter to three in the afternoon, you have to wait your turn to pass
through the village.
Trouble ahead. A somewhat suitable entrance to Balsall Common approached from
the Stonebridge Island.
Traffic beginning to build up before entering the village. (A452)
Large lorries and more cars head for the village.( A452)
Balsall Street East and the result of not having custom built education
facilities on the outskirts of the village. This congestion is caused by pupils
being picked up at the Primary School (which is understandable). However, put
this temporary daily hold up in a situation that is already traffic clogged and
you get the above picture. The driver of the silver car has to take to the grass
verge to allow the green delivery van through.
Typical busy scene at Station Road entering the village.
A drivers' eye view of travelling through the village centre.
Schools out! When the pupils leave the Heart of England secondary school, there
is tremendous congestion throughout the immediate vicinity. Here we see Gipsy
Lane complete with cars, double decker buses and a mass of pupils. Another
handicap of having a secondary school situated in the heart of the village.
The NatWest Bank roundabout (above and below). At times, this can make Marble
Arch seem tranquil. Due to excess congestion, vehicles travelling along Station
Road (from Balsall Street East) and entering the village can often straddle
Kenilworth Road due to a separate hold up in the village centre.
The yellow car in the picture above has just managed to leave the roundabout to
allow Kenilworth Road traffic to continue on their way.
Another view of the busy NatWest roundabout. Note: such is the impatience of
drivers that TWO cars are trying to get out of Station Road at the same time!
Parked cars in Balsall Street East mean navigating this area at certain times of
the day is very troublesome and hazardous.
One born every minute!
Lastly, if you need petrol - be prepared to queue!
The following pictures relate to the
Co-op car park:
Co-op dramatically improves its store - but which way round
do you go in its car park?
Hunt for that space at the Co-op car park.
Then wait patiently to leave!
The following pictures relate to the
Blessed Robert Grissold Church:
Indiscriminate parking on Meeting House Lane.
Two cars cause restricted access to park (and public
footpath.)
Don't walk on the grass.
Pedestrians - beware!
Latest News:
From Solihull Observer, April 12th 2007.
From Solihull Times, 22nd August 2007.
Traffic lights now required to get out of local well known
Hotel.
Balsall Common Village Plan uses our picture!
No need for any description.
Local radio takes an interest in this website - and the
traffic issues.
Sooner rather than later?
