Transport officials have announced the resumption of works on phase two of the Sprint bus project in Walsall starting Monday, October 5. The project will bring improvements along Darwall Street and Lichfield Street in the town centre, as well as at the Skip Lane junction with Birmingham Road.
Managed by Transport for West Midlands, the Sprint scheme was first introduced in 2018, with initial plans aiming for completion by the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Once finished, the bus service will run along the A34 from Birmingham through Great Barr to Walsall, additionally serving routes to Solihull and the airport.
These tram-like vehicles are designed to offer a more reliable, frequent, and environmentally friendly transport option, aiming to ease traffic congestion in the region.
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Phase two will involve the installation of new bus shelters, highway improvements, and resurfacing at the specified locations. These works are scheduled for completion by November 6, 2026.
Transport authorities have cautioned the public about localised disruption, including temporary traffic restrictions, pedestrian diversions, and lane closures during the construction period.
The initial phase of the Sprint project in Walsall, completed in summer 2022, attracted significant criticism from Walsall Council and local residents due to extensive roadworks. Council leader Mike Bird described it as an “unmitigated disaster”. Several businesses reported severe financial impacts, with some forced to close, while protests arose over tree removals near The Green on Birmingham Road, leading to a route modification.
Since phase one, the project had remained inactive; however, in June 2023, transport officials reported that the preliminary works had already reduced average bus journey times between Walsall and Birmingham by six minutes.
While phase two commenced in Birmingham and Solihull in September 2024, confirmation of the timeline for Walsall was still pending as of February 2025. During a scrutiny committee meeting at Walsall Council, member Adam Hicken expressed scepticism about the project’s management, comparing it to the HS2 project’s oversight.
Earlier in 2025, the West Midlands Combined Authority approved £26 million for purchasing the new tram-like buses, along with an additional £5.5 million for installing ‘buy before you board’ ticketing systems.