Better Streets for Birmingham want a city where walking, cycling, wheeling and public transport are the first choices for getting around.
Each episode we talk to experts, activists and those experiencing Britain's motor city from outside a car.
For all enquiries, contact hello@betterstreetsforbirmingham.org
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In this special edition, Chair Martin Price and campaign lead Lucy Caldicott review the various party's manifesto pledges on transport ahead of the all out Birmingham City Council elections on May 7th 2026.
Documents referenced:
Manifesto comparison document - https://docs.google.com/document/d/12... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkwzazJEN29UNUZLdVRaMlpHSWJNNjZjTlo3UXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjZzN200emxJZVNhUGd1MWJEMk9xSnFFbHYwWWIzVVQzLVg0XzNrTDhSRjd4eG5sYlpUYWp4TGtUQWFqOFZmUnBpcEtWaHh1b1hBWDN1X0YwTUpPS29KOHc0RnRSZHU3OVJfZ1dPOFJQUUFRY2Fnbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fdocument%2Fd%2F12lrCDbP0q8A8TePtqm6iV7IvaMP1JD5Je0_hf6vv9SM%2Fedit%3Fusp%3Dsharing&v=k2RUk3ybRJk)
Conservative Manifesto - https://www.birminghamconservatives.o... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm1oSHVHUTVJYWhpMnJ1b056Qmlac1ZUb0pNZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttY19HeGZBVnpBTG0zYmxLTlB3RGtWNkItamVmWUgteU16UU5qWGJhc1l0Q210WlFHOWZrU1hZUzREN0VPeVlGaEhfdXhLUkVxb3ZjMWRLY1IxNy16QlFkTjNPeS1MVWlRb2JDN3FaRU1pbDBjZk1iUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghamconservatives.org.uk%2Fbirmingham-could-be-going-underground-local-conservatives-launch-plan-clean-birmingham-and-unleash&v=k2RUk3ybRJk)
Green Manifesto - https://birmingham.greenparty.org.uk/... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2Jod3pKdUlIemVDcmU2SlBpRGpTS2xHcWNqQXxBQ3Jtc0tuSjNLb2J6NGNpNFhUaDZIeUFqdTg1c2JXTjhtRVJvSV9fXzNRQm9MSF9reXlDSU9mM2stbEdJUEZnVVhIbTRnUUNnRS0xeU5CMkN1eG9fWTRmX05hTEJ5Vi1vXzhLRGZ6SndYaXpOVnZ5ZUhjZmxsYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbirmingham.greenparty.org.uk%2Fbirmingham-green-party-manifesto-2026%2F&v=k2RUk3ybRJk)
Labour Pledge Book - https://x.com/BrumManifestos/status/2... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1VEeE5JM0ZhRmlCMHhYQ3k1cG9GYTNoRWR1d3xBQ3Jtc0tudV96aTZ3cGxzaHRWbEpMaDRkalFCYWotR1FBTldLbWNCa0lESkJ4eGxuLUNzT3ZsSWRuZGxKTllFaW1RN3JaeVVmYnhrYlJtb1Q4OTZWc2ZpY29vY01pcW4tZElTZVRvbV9SQzgtNzZva1I5eUhlSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FBrumManifestos%2Fstatus%2F2046843373315613015&v=k2RUk3ybRJk)
Lib Dem Manifesto - https://www.birminghamlibdems.org.uk/... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFdoTWFnTlpXWlR1SEpLeEg0eEZDUGZDd0RvUXxBQ3Jtc0tsakZrZDN6b3A2MFNRdjhsOXZYeWoyZW5zdkluLXJyYU55UTJXOHh1Zm9Sd3JCNFZteE1MVkxxcmNReDY0N1RSeUFraE54X3Jwd0o2Y29ZUXVQTm5uS2FDeExqZG5xQV9RREFLcFVSbGlWVnB3ZU1USQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birminghamlibdems.org.uk%2F2026-manifesto&v=k2RUk3ybRJk)
Other parties have not published Birmingham-specific literature or is on a ward-basis as they are local independents. Find out who your local candidates are on www.WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk and contact them.
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26 Apr 2026
Grassroots activism in Tyseley
Farina Chaudri shares her community's fight for safer streets in Birmingham after tragic events, highlighting grassroots activism, challenges with local authorities, and ongoing campaigns for infrastructure improvements.
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12 Apr 2026
Going car free
In this conversation, Ruth shares her journey of living a car-light life with her family in Birmingham. They explore the financial, environmental, and social benefits of reducing car dependency, along with practical tips for managing daily tasks without a car.
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29 Mar 2026
City of Cars - Birmingham's road trauma on film
Host Kevin Carmody interviews documentary maker Sarah Chaundler. She spent 18 months following Better Streets for Birmingham and captured the lives of many people who were impacted by loss on our roads.
This at times hearbreaking interview gives an upclose view of the tragedy that is happening in Birmingham every day, as well as the frustrations in seeing so little change actually happening.
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23 Mar 2026
Bike Buses - Making the school run fun
Host Kevin Carmody talks with Kate from Bike Worcester and Hilary from Bike Birmingham about the most fun way to start the school day: Bike Buses.
We explore the concept, the experience and the impact it can have, both on the kids riding and on wider society.
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9 Mar 2026
Clean air in Birmingham
A Better Streets for Birmingham podast episode. Host Kevin Carmody is in conversation with Kisten de Vos of Mums for Lungs and Florence Cadge of Birmingham Healthy Air Coalition.
This conversation explores the legacy of Councillor Waseem Zafar and the ongoing efforts to improve air quality in Birmingham. It highlights the importance of collaborative initiatives, the impact of the Clean Air Zone, and the challenges that remain. The discussion emphasises the need for community engagement, awareness of air pollution's health impacts, and the social justice issues surrounding environmental health. The speakers advocate for individual actions and policy changes to create a healthier environment for future generations.
https://www.mumsforlungs.org/
https://brumhealthyair.org.uk/
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2 Mar 2026
The Future of Railways in Birmingham with Gareth Dennis
In this conversation, Gareth Dennis discusses the pressing transport challenges facing Birmingham. We talk about he importance of electrification for environmental reasons and for a more integrated public transport system that is accessible to all. Finally, there is a need for a more aspirational vision for Birmingham's transport future.
https://www.youtube.com/@GarethDennisTV
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23 Feb 2026
Better Streets manifesto pledges - with Lucy Caldicott
In this conversation, Kevin Carmody speaks with Lucy Caldecott about the ongoing road safety emergency in Birmingham, the challenges of implementing road harm reduction strategies, and the importance of community advocacy in holding local government accountable. They discuss the gap between policy and actual delivery, the resistance to change in road safety measures, and the need for political will to ensure that manifesto commitments are fulfilled. The conversation emphasizes the role of residents in advocating for safer streets and the complexities of managing traffic in a growing city.
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9 Feb 2026
SUVs, the damage they cause and fairly charging them
This week I talk with James Ward of the SUV Alliance, a group that is dedicated to tackling the spread of oversized vehicles in our cities. We first try to understand the problem before talking about ways to tackle it.
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26 Jan 2026
2026: The year ahead with Martin Price, Better Streets for Birmingham Chair
In this episode of the Better Streets for Birmingham podcast, Kevin Carmody speaks with Martin Price, Better Streets for Birmingham Chair, about the future of transport and road safety in Birmingham leading up to 2026. We discuss the local and national road harm reduction strategies, the impact of upcoming elections on transport policy, and the progress of various transport projects including rail improvements and micro-mobility initiatives. The conversation also touches on funding challenges and the importance of community engagement in advocating for safer streets.
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12 Jan 2026
How Birmingham’s Transport Past Shapes Its Future
We talk with Mike Ashworth, a transport historian on the development of transport within Birmingham. We explore the historical context of urban planning in Birmingham, focusing on the car-centric schemes that led to significant changes in inner city suburbs. It highlights the booming car ownership in the 1960s and the neglect of public transport in urban development.
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12 Jan 2026
Transforming Birmingham's Roads: The Vision Zero Approach
A conversation with Jeremy Leach of Action Vision Zero about the 2025 Birmingham Road Harm Reduction Strategy
The conversation explores Birmingham's road safety strategy, focusing on the adoption of Vision Zero, which aims for zero fatalities on the roads. The discussion highlights the Safe Systems approach, the importance of reducing traffic volumes, implementing lower speed limits, and creating safer road infrastructure. The role of education in road safety is debated, along with the impact of vehicle size on pedestrian safety. The conversation concludes with thoughts on post-crash care and the need for radical action to implement Vision Zero effectively.
https://actionvisionzero.org/
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12 Jan 2026
Pavement parking: A daily danger
There is an ongoing problem of pavement parking in the UK. In this episode we hear the personal experiences of Aideen Blackborough, a wheelchair user. Aideen shares the daily dangers she faces due to cars parked on pavements, emphasising the need for legislative change to protect vulnerable pedestrians.
https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/
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8 Jan 2026
Trailer
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