Free city park and ride service and increased cycle parking for Commonwealth Games Time Trial date

A free park and ride bus service and increased cycle parking will be available for residents on the day the city hosts the Commonwealth Games cycling Time Trial.

The new options are being made available to anyone who needs to get into the city for work or other appointments and those who would like to enjoy the atmosphere at our free Festival site.

The cycling Time Trial will start and finish in West Park on Thursday, August 4, with contenders in the men’s and women’s races being set off at one-minute intervals and making their way around the city.

The event will see a number of temporary road and car park closures around the city and residents are being urged to plan ahead.

To support access to the city, a free park and ride service will run from the city’s racecourse to Wulfruna Street, operating at 15-minute intervals from 7.30am to 7.30pm.

This will enable residents to park for free outside the city and make their way in via the free shuttle service from early in the morning until the evening.

Cyclists can also access 250 cycle parking spaces at School Street car park. The free and secure cycle park will be open from 9.30am-5pm on the day of the race and will cater for all bikes, including accessible or large cycles, as well as cycle helmets.

Cycle racks will be enclosed and stewards will provide uninterrupted supervision of cycles. Users will be presented with a wristband and all bikes must be removed prior to closure of the cycle park.

Residents are also welcome to use the park and ride shuttle bus service and the cycle park to visit the city’s free Festival site. Anyone who couldn’t get tickets to the event can watch all the action for free at Old Market Square from 9.30am – 6pm. 

Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the excitement of live sport as cyclists zoom through Old Market Square. Or grab a seat, soak up the electric atmosphere and watch all the action on the big screen. 

To enable the Time Trial event to go ahead, temporary road closures will be in place along the entirety of the route from 5am to 6pm on Thursday 4 August. Some adjoining streets will also have restrictions in place or be affected by nearby road closures.

Parking will be restricted along the entire course from 6pm on Wednesday 3 August until 6pm on Thursday 4 August. During this time it will not be possible to park your vehicle on these roads.

Any vehicles parked on the course will be towed to ensure the safety of athletes, officials and the public. Cars parked on the course will receive a leaflet, making sure information about parking restrictions and towing is known before the event takes place.

Some city centre car parks will also be closed between 5am and 6pm on race day. These are: Wulfrun Centre, School Street, (Old) Market, Peel Street, Fold Street, House of Fraser, Birch Street, Clarence Street, Mander Centre and Bell Street.

For anyone planning to travel by bus, there will be some disruption to bus routes into and around the city.

For the latest details, check the Transport for West Midlands website at  www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/discover-the-west-midlands/birmingham-2022-commonwealth-games/travelling-by-bus-or-tram/

or follow @TransportforWM on twitter for live updates.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “The Commonwealth Games cycling Time Trial is getting ever closer. It will be an amazing event for our city, but we do appreciate it will have a significant impact on journey plans and we are urging people to plan ahead for their journeys on the day.

“The great news is that we can offer residents some alternative transport options. The free park and ride service will be running throughout the day, from 7.30am to 7.30pm to help people get into the city. In addition, it’s great to see the option of increased free cycle parking for anyone who would like to use their bike.

“I would strongly encourage all local residents and businesses to familiarise themselves with where road and car park closures will be in place. You will find all the information you need at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/commonwealth. This will help you to plan your day and any journeys you need to take, as well as giving details about the Time Trial, Festival site and our cultural events programme.”