The Commonwealth Games come to Birmingham in 2022, running for just a week and half, from Thursday 28th July to Monday 8th August.
It is meant to be some kind of sporting event, showcasing the wealth of athletic talent from across the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes countries that were formerly under British colonial rule.
However to the keen observer, and moreso to someone like myself who lives in Birmingham and is familiar with the wider West Midlands region, this sporting event is also being used to showcase and push certain globalist ideals.
Others may write about the usual ‘diversity and inclusion’ nonsense, however I want to focus on one aspect, namely the ‘push’ to get everyone used to the idea of having to rely on public transport.
Now before I continue, I must point out that as someone who doesn’t drive, I’ve relied on public transport to get around for most of my life, so I’m not completely averse to using buses or trains, or even walking, to get where I need to go.
It is not my intention to belittle public transport users, or criticise motorists, in this posting.
One thing is very clear though, in that both the organisers of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 (B2022) as well as the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), are ‘expecting’ Games events ticket holders to make full use of public transport, or to cycle or walk, in order to get to event venues across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
If you buy a ticket to attend any venue for an event, your ticket price includes free use of public transport (bus, train, tram) on that day.
There are a number of shuttle bus services, that will operate between park-and-ride sites and event venues.
As you can see from the above graphic, visitors are also being encouraged to take advantage of ‘free’ cycle rides using the West Midlands equivalent of “Boris bikes”, and notice the boast about the number of cycle parking spaces available for those with their own bikes.
Worth pointing out at this time that at the two main event venues for the Games, namely Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick, that there is NO on-site parking for motor vehicles.
I can tell you that in the last couple of years, millions of pounds have been spent on installing new cycle lanes and routes across Birmingham (which hardly anyone uses), as well on various road ‘improvement’ projects that have actually made travelling by car even worse, and so far have done little to improve the reliability of local bus services, which get snarled up in the congestion caused.
Millions of pounds also spent on extending the Midland Metro tram line, which is still not operating a full service.
Two years of roadworks and congestion to improve the A34 and A45 and faciliate the introduction of the Sprint ‘bus rapid transport’ route, which is not now going to be in operation until at least next year.
And now it has been announced that rail workers will be going on strike on Saturday 30th July.
Oh and bus service levels are being reduced from Sunday 24th July due to introduction of summer holiday timetables, “to reflect lower levels of traffic congestion and fewer passengers travelling by bus”.
If you’re planning on driving to Birmingham and driving to one of the Games events venues, you’re going to have a shock.
If you’re thinking about “well I’ll just park in a nearby side-street”, you have no chance, as roads will be closed off and ‘marshalled’, even local residents will need a ‘permit’ to be able to access and park outside their own home.
This is of course just a ‘taster’ of what is to come in the future; a future that doesn’t include private car ownership. Once you’re here, you’re either getting around by public transport, or you’re cycling or walking.
“You’ll own nothing and you’ll be happy”
Welcome to Birmingham 2022!
I have a feeling that the level of ‘expectation’ from B2022 and the WMCA, with regards to spectators ‘travelling habits’, is not going to match the ‘reality’ of what actually happens.
People just aren’t fully onboard with this agenda just yet, so I’m expecting a complete disaster and transport chaos.
