Road Safety Emergency Continues
1 August 2026 marks the second anniversary of the declaration of Birmingham’s Road Safety Emergency. Better Streets for Birmingham will mark this anniversary and ask the new councillors who represent us to increase their efforts to reduce road harm on Friday 4th September at 5pm outside the Council House. Contact Better Streets to join this or to help with the organisation.
Four year old Mayar Yahia tragically passed away on the evening of Sunday, April 14, 2024 next to New Hope Park, Upper Highgate Street. Plans to pedestrianise the road where Mayar was killed were shelved in May. The father of Mayar, who was hit with her mother and her friend by a speeding, reckless driver, has spoken out in sadness after Birmingham City Council ‘broke a promise’ to create a pedestrian zone in her memory, providing safer streets near where she died.
City of Cars
City of Cars will be screened at Birmingham Council House before the Full Council meeting on 15 September, telling the story of the tragic death of Mayar Yahia and the immeasurable loss experienced by her family. The film was made to challenge the political and societal apathy around dangerous driving in Birmingham and to highlight the threat this poses in the city.
Better Streets say plans to pedestrianise a part of Upper Highgate Street were apparently delayed because:
‘A series of ‘errors’ had been made that meant local opinions were outweighed by objections from people out of the area.’
As filmmaker Sarah explains:
“I made this film because I was so concerned about what I was witnessing on Birmingham’s roads every day. In the film I speak to people who have lost loved ones in road traffic collisions and follow the campaigning activities of Better Streets for Birmingham.”
We encourage you to email your local councillors and urge them to attend the screening.
Working together for Better Streets
To find out more about Better Streets:
6pm to 8pm general meetup – Monday 10 August 2026, 6pm The Warehouse, Alison Street
Monthly meetup for city-wide Better Streets.
Circle the City – Friday 7th August
A group ride around Birmingham leaving from Hippodrome Square, B5 4BN at 6pm. Meet people, learn new cycle routes and enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling safely in the city. All ages and all abilities are welcome. The more the merrier!