Key points
- A452 Chester Road at Bickenhill is a 40mph 24-hour clearway from June 2025, with a right-turn ban at Bickenhill Parkway.
- HS2 works bring night closures and lane closures near Bickenhill.
- Kenilworth Road at Balsall Common has an HS2 30mph contraflow from May 2026 to August 2027.
- Balsall Common village has 20mph streets (2024).
The A452 runs the length of Solihull's eastern side — Chester Road past Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green, and Kenilworth Road through Balsall Common. HS2 is reshaping both ends.
Chester Road at Bickenhill
A permanent order from 6 June 2025 sets 40mph, a 24-hour clearway (no stopping) and a ban on right turns into the roundabout at the A452 / B4438 Bickenhill Parkway junction — made for the HS2 layout. In 2026 HS2 has carried out mid-weeknight full closures, overnight slip closures and daytime lane closures at a newly built roundabout connecting the A446 and A452.
Chelmsley Wood
Coleshill Heath Road had a temporary 40mph from Chester Road to the boundary between May 2024 and November 2025. Chester Road itself is the fast road most Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst and Castle Bromwich learners first meet.
Kenilworth Road at Balsall Common
- HS2 realignment: 30mph and a contraflow between the Bradnocks Marsh and Meriden Road roundabouts, 19 May 2026 to 24 August 2027.
- Temporary 40mph between Hallmeadow Road and Wootton Lane, May 2026 to May 2027.
- Proposed permanent 40mph (from 50) for about 600m from Hallmeadow Road, including the Park Lane roundabout.
- Village 20mph on Balsall Common's streets from October 2024.
Contraflows: how to drive them
Narrow lanes, cones close to your wheels and oncoming traffic with no central reservation. Keep to the limit, hold the centre of your lane, don't follow closely and look well ahead rather than at the cones.
Checked October 2026 — roadworks and temporary limits change often; always obey the signs on the day.
SQ Driving School is part of DriveSQ
Lessons in Solihull are run by SQ Driving School and DriveSQ together — the same instructors, prices and Student Portal. More from DriveSQ:
- DriveSQ driving school in Solihull — Meet the DriveSQ Solihull team, the Student Portal and how lessons work.
- Solihull driving test pass rates 2026 — Every test centre near Solihull ranked, with what the numbers mean.
- Driving instructor jobs in Solihull — Teach with DriveSQ: pupils matched by postcode, Instructor Portal.
DriveSQ Student Portal
Every SQ Driving School learner — in Solihull as well as Greater Manchester — gets the DriveSQ Student Portal free, so you always know exactly how close you are to test standard.
- 23 driving skills tracked after every lesson
- Theory library and 50-question mock tests
- Test-readiness checklist and instructor messaging
DriveSQ Instructor Portal
DriveSQ is growing in Solihull and taking on more ADIs. New learners are matched to you by postcode, and your whole diary runs in the DriveSQ Instructor Portal.
- New Solihull learners matched by postcode
- Bookings, progress and messaging in one place
- Part of DriveSQ — an established Manchester driving school
Frequently asked questions
What is the speed limit on the A452 Chester Road at Bickenhill?
How long are the HS2 works on Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common?
Do you teach on this road?
Sources
- Solihull Council — A452 Chester Road 40mph & clearway order (2025)
- HS2 — A452 Chester Road closures near Bickenhill
- Solihull Council — Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common HS2 order (2026–27)
- Solihull Council — Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common 40mph proposal (2026)
- Solihull Council — Balsall Common village 20mph (2024)
Published by SQ Driving School, a brand owned and managed by DriveSQ. Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and test centres change — always confirm on GOV.UK before you book.