Blue Brick pub at the Centre of Black Country Transport

Thanks for the Strava record and photos that I was able to open and enjoyed viewing.  Both Linda and I do use Strava but she uses it more than me.  Thanks so much for coming out on the ride with me.  Next year, too, to check on what improvements have been made?

In readiness for next year's ride, I'm asking if you and Dudley Council could join me in insisting that they use their existing workforce to cut back the vegetation to make for a 3 m wide track.  At least, from Barrow Hill NR, north of Pensnett High St (A4101) to the border with S Staffs.  What do you think?  The email address is:- dudleycouncilplus@dudley.gov.uk  You will get a reply but action is more doubtful!  So far, I'm the only one asking.  The more people ask for vegetation to be cut back, the more likely it might, just, possibly, be done!

The Cabinet councillor is Cllr Damian Corfield, at  Cllr.Damian.Corfield@dudleymbc.org.uk   who has responsibility for Highways and Environmental Services.  He does know me.  He put two of us in Dudley on a committee he was chairing as non-voting members for a short time.  Brilliant of him!

I want to continue working to remind our officers and councillors of their TWO north-south transport routes.  One is our Black Country Tourist Trail of 20 Kms that meets the second, the Black Country Mainline Railway, at the old Blue Brick pub at 153 Dudley Rd, Brierley Hill DY5 1HG.  The pub is on the main road, near and south of Fens Pool Ave where we met.

The second is that former, principal mainline railway between London and Edinburgh, as on this map:-

Nothing has changed in 21 years!!

 Railfuture's full map.pdf

Trams and a Very Light Rail test track is on the railway in Dudley town and in Sandwell, where it meets the first tramway on the first mainline railway used, at Wednesbury.

MY IDEA/SUGGESTION:

The Tourist Trail for all active travellers and the Black Country Railway for train and tram users.  The problem is that the UK's Top Wasted Railway is being turned into a cycle-walkway between Brownhills and Lichfield where the railway in my photo, below, is being funded for active travel use.  Have Cycling UK and your good self been wanting this?  Have you and Duncan Dollimore both been supporting active travel for the railway, rather than intercity, commuter and regional trains, David?

Looking towards the M6:

 M6 Toll banner 01.jpg

Looking towards Lichfield.  One track nicked by metal thieves since construction and opening in Dec 2003!

 M6 Toll 03.jpg

What do you think of my twin transport idea in the heart of England, connected at Blue Brick pub, to relieve road congestion, air pollution and Climate problems, David?  A lovely old pub at the Centre of the Universe!!!

All the very best.  Please keep in touch.  Next year's dates are Saturday, 2nd and 9th August 2025