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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Good to see this Birmingham Dispatch article on Birmingham speed limits actually reporting some facts and context, rather than stirring the pot. I was also quoted in it about my work on the road safety inquiry. www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/not-fast-but...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

I have put together a survey that focuses on planning issues we can use to object. I also learned about an alternative community proposal at the Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum - details in the survey below. Please fill out the survey to have your say: tinyurl.com/StirchleyDri...

tinyurl.com

No to a Drive-Through McDonalds in Stirchley

We are opposing a drive-through on the Pershore Road in Stirchley (again) for the following reasons: Traffic and Congestion: Slowing public transport and emergency vehicles at an already narrow, rest...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

We are still waiting to see if McDonalds make a formal Planning application for a drive-through in Stirchley. A lot of residents in Stirchley have been asking how to object to a proposed drive-through (whoever runs it) on planning terms in case it goes to the Council.

tinyurl.com

No to a Drive-Through McDonalds in Stirchley

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I've just signed this asking what the council and police can do about excessively noisy vehicles on the roads. www.change.org/p/require-ac...

change.org

Sign the Petition

Require action on excessively noisy vehicles in Birmingham

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I recently met with the new Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport for a handover on everything Scrutiny had been working on in my time as Chair, including outstanding actions from the road safety and clean air inquiries I chaired. I will follow up now on the issues below.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I'm really pleased to see the recommendations agreed at the last Sustainability and Transport Scrutiny meeting I chaired (on 23 April) have been sent to the new Cabinet team by the new Chair. That round table discussion focused on improving accessibility for those travelling with disabilities.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

🚦Pershore Road Safety update 🚦 Over 250 people have now filled out the survey after Cotteridge School shared it with parents. I was invited to speak at Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum this week, where residents were really supportive. You can still sign and share it here: tinyurl.com/PershoreRoad...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I will object to this now and if it goes to Birmingham City Council's Planning department. And I understand the local MP and councillors will all oppose this proposal too.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Stirchley is a well-connected neighbourhood, with many bus routes and a train station within a few minutes' walk. There is no need for a drive-through. There is a need in the area for more mixed-use developments that provide affordable housing, like the Stirchley Co-operative Development.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Here's my objection: A drive through on a busy road will only increase congestion and pollution. The road network doesn't have capacity for all the extra traffic. It's unsustainable, and not in-keeping with the character of the area or the high street. In fact, this will damage the high street.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I'd encourage anyone opposing the proposal for a drive-through MacDonalds in Stirchley to argue against it on Planning grounds, if you want any success. Saying you don't like one chain because of that business itself won't help for Planning applications. mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk/stirchley/th...

mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk

Proposals – McDonald’s – Stirchley

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

These junctions are near primary schools but have no safe crossings for pedestrians and no traffic lights for cars to safely get onto the main road. Turning in and out of these junctions as a driver is a dangerous and complex task, which causes congestion and road rage. tinyurl.com/PershoreRoad...

tinyurl.com

Pershore Road Safety Survey

We are petitioning Councillor Kamel Hawwash and Birmingham City Council to use some of the Stirchley ward road safety funding to make the junctions of Pershore Road and Lifford Lane and Pershore Road ...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Pershore Road Safety Survey Every time I go past the junctions of Pershore Road and Lifford Lane or Fordhouse Lane, I take my life in my hands. I'm petitioning the local councillor and Council to use their local road safety funding to fix them. tinyurl.com/PershoreRoad...

tinyurl.com

Pershore Road Safety Survey

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Happy Queens Heath Pride! It's such a lovely day for it. The festivities are going on all afternoon into evening on York Road and Heathfield Road. Don't miss out! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ So nice to see rainbow flags popping up in shop windows on Stirchley High Street. Thanks to Aphra Bakes, Couch, Deadbeat, Loaf, Cheddar, and anyone not pictured. Have you seen any others up? If you want a poster there's loads to collect from The Old Post Office (or message me). Happy Pride! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍⚧️ I've made posters for businesses on Stirchley High Street to celebrate pride and stand up to all the division being pushed on us. If you want a copy for your home, there are loads available to pick up from The Old Post Office. I'm happy to drop them off to any businesses. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

People talk a lot about restoring trust in policing. I think trust begins with honesty about the past. Glad to see this from Simon Foster PCC. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

PCC says police must apologise for historic LGBTQ+ discrimination

Simon Foster has made the call today as Birmingham Pride takes place in the city.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Happy Pride to everyone celebrating! 🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

It's Birmingham Pride on Saturday and Pride Month in June. Do you think residents and businesses would support hanging pride flags (legally) out of windows or something to show you can put up flags in a way that welcomes and accepts people in the community?

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

I've been thinking a lot about the people attacked in Stirchley by those coming to Birmingham to put flags on lampposts and how the community has stood up to them again and again taking the flags down. But... what if we started putting different flags on display instead? 🏳️‍⚧️🌈

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I got a shout out on @podsavetheuk.crooked.com - although it should be (former) councillor. I am concerned about some of the views we are seeing surface in candidates and new councillors. After the scenes in the Stirchley this week, we need leadership. open.spotify.com/episode/31qo...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

I offered to do a handover with any new councillors and I'm pleased to report that Jordan and Hamzah are taking me up on my offer. We will be meeting within the next week, so please let me know if there is anything you would like passed on for them to sort out over the next four years.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

For residents, you can now reach your new councillors with any questions or concerns at: jordan.phillip@birmingham.gov.uk and hamzah.sheikh@birmingham.gov.uk

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Congratulations to Jordan and Hamzah who won last week's election to represent Brandwood and Kings Heath ward. Commiserations to my ward partner of 4 years Lisa Trickett, her running mate Ben and the other candidates who spoke kindly of me during the campaign.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Is that right? Someone needs to update wiki then as they have labour 3rd

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I think it really was just you, me, Martin, and Liz if see arriving by bike. We should have done something together! I'm happy to try and persuade any of the others to give it a go. Weird to think just four years ago I'd never ridden a bike and now I can't imagine life without it.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Getting a few messages this morning checking I'm not this Councillor David Barker... and yes I am THE David Barker but thankfully not THAT David Barker

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

The past four years have passed by so quickly, it's easy to lose track of what we've achieved. With the election tomorrow, my term of office ends and someone new gets a chance to make an impact. Before I go, here's a short video of (some of) what I've done with you www.facebook.com/reel/2503525...

facebook.com

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Last night I saw videos alleging intimidation on the streets between different parties' volunteers. Today I've seen a deeply misleading leaflet put out in my own ward. I'm aware of candidates being pressured to post homophobic content. I've never seen an election this bad.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

This is really sad to see. There's community support for a project that would prevent another tragedy like the death of Mayar - it's more than a symbolic tribute, it's actual action and positive change. I hope to see it picked up again after the election. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

birminghammail.co.uk

Anger as plan to pedestrianise Birmingham road where Mayar, 4, died is shelved

It was going to be a lasting legacy of the folly of fast cars and reckless driving in Birmingham and a tribute to the memory of four year old Mayar Yahia - but will it ever happen?

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Today I met with Birmingham LGBT to discuss what more Birmingham City Council can do to support the LGBT+ community in our city. Following the meeting, I have written to the relevant Cabinet Members with six key asks that would improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community here.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I'm glad to see officers have addressed those concerns and look forward to seeing the new designs after the election.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

At today's meeting of Cabinet, I attended as Chair of Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny to set out why Scrutiny voted to send the most recent decision on the Moseley and Kings Heath LTN back to Cabinet to be revised and clarified.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

They haven't finalised or made permanent the designs. The West will have a TRO soon with a final design but the East needs longer before they put a TRO forward with a final design. All beyond my time now.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

🚶LTN Update Council officers have amended the latest report. My understanding is they intend to deliver the LTN on the West of Kings Heath High Street first, but, designs for the East side need more work, with all options on the table. Details here: birmingham.cmis.uk.com/birmingham/M...

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which I chair, has written to Birmingham City Council's Cabinet with nine recommendations on the subject of nature, biodiversity, and ecology - starting by declaring a nature emergency that comes with an action plan. Read it here:

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Reposted by David Barker

Kirsten de Vos 🚶🏻‍♀️💚🚲🍃 @kirstendevos.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Good to see cross-party work on Birmingham’s Clean Air Inquiry being taken forward, and the Minister’s response on rail investment and devolved transport funding. This focus on better connectivity and modal shift is really encouraging for healthier communities.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

🚨Do you want to know more about the local election candidates for Brandwood and Kings Heath? Kings Heath Neighbourhoods Forum are hosting two hustings, where you can ask questions and hear from the people hoping to be elected to represent you. Any questions, contact: kings.heath.forum@gmail.com

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Today is Record Store Day, celebrating the 300+ independent record shops all across the UK and Ireland. Great to see Polar Bear on York Road in Kings Heath absolutely packed with customers and special vinyl releases to mark the occasion.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

3. Electrification of the Bus Fleet. 4. Acceleration of Planned Metro Works.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

The four requests were: 1. Regional Electrification of the Rail Network, with a focus on the Snow Hill and Moor Street Lines. 2. Delivery of the 2022 West Midlands Rail Investment Strategy, Including the Bordesley Chords, New Stations, and the Reopening of the Sutton Park Line.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

As part of the cross-party Clean Air Inquiry I chaired, we wrote to Government with four requests to transform public transport in Birmingham. Great to receive a supportive reply from @liliangreenwood.bsky.social, Minister for Local Transport, this week outlining how we can work together on this.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Don't forget! The deadline for registering to vote in this year's local elections is less than a week away - on the 20th April. You normally only need to register once or register again if you’ve changed your name, address or nationality. It usually takes about 5 minutes. www.gov.uk/register-to-...

gov.uk

Register to vote to take part in elections in the UK. Includes how to get on the electoral register and how to update your address on the register.

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Reposted by David Barker

Kirsten de Vos 🚶🏻‍♀️💚🚲🍃 @kirstendevos.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Excellent progress - really appreciate the work Cllr David Barker has been doing on this. Clean air is vital for the health of Birmingham’s children and the wider community. Encouraging to see a positive response from Government and looking forward to what comes next. @mumsforlungs.bsky.social

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

I did post an update about that in the past week. It's all still possible but will be after my term ends now.

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David Barker @david4bkh.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

As part of the Clean Air Inquiry I chaired, we co-signed a letter to Government to request that we strengthen national clean air targets. I am pleased to have received a positive response from @emmahardymp.bsky.social. I look forward to seeing how we can continue to improve Birmingham's air quality.

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