Subsidised by £52K funding from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council for car parking, the free parking, discounted bus travel and free cycle hire, supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority, returns to support residents and local businesses in Royal Sutton Coldfield over the festive period. 

The free car parking will be provided in Birmingham City Council town centre car parks from 13 November 2025  to 4 January 2026 with free parking on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. The offer will be available at Station Street, Upper and Lower Reddicroft, Mill Street, Anchorage Road, South Parade and Duke Street.

The scheme aims to support residents, visitors and local businesses in the lead up to and during the festive period, while offering shoppers a greater choice of transport options during the busiest time of the year. 

It will consist of the same three elements as the multi-modal scheme implemented during the 2024 festive period, free parking during certain times at BCC owned surface car parks, free and discounted bus travel and free cycling as part of the WMCA’s bike hire scheme.

In addition, individuals* can take advantage of two weeks free bus travel and ongoing discounted fares by accessing the West Midlands Bus Scheme offered through TfWM (Transport for the West Midlands).

To find out more or gain access to the free tickets, individuals will need to sign up to the Town Council mailing list by 10am on Monday 10th November 2025, when further details and a code will be detailed in an e-newsletter.  Residents can do this via the sign-up form here: http://eepurl.com/di-Cwr

The final element of the Multi Modal Festive Scheme will enable residents the opportunity to cycle for free to the Town Centre as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s public hire cycle scheme, which Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council helps to fund. 

Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “This year has seen real progress with our plans to revitalise the town centre with work commencing on both the new Harvey Norman and ALDI stores and the Royal Sutton Coldfield Gateway Scheme achieving a key approval milestone.

Whilst it’s great to see this new investment, the Town Council fully recognises the need to support the town centre’s diverse range of businesses and venues particularly through the crucial festive period.

Subsidising free car parking and promoting free bus travel and cycle hire will make it cheaper and easier for people to travel into the town centre and make the most of the town centre’s festive offer.

We also want to offer visitors a choice of different ways to travel to the town centre, including opportunities to try more sustainable options such as bus travel and cycling.

Councillor Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said: “This is great news for residents who will be able to save a bit of money at what can be an expensive time of year, and I would encourage people to visit the town to support local businesses and enjoy everything Sutton Coldfield has to offer.

With the free bus travel and cycle hire it is also an opportunity for people to leave their cars at home and choose more sustainable ways of getting about over the festive period.

“This is the second year Birmingham City Council is supporting our colleagues at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council with this important scheme; it is vital we do all we can to help regenerate local towns and centres.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Offering free bus travel and cycle hire will make it easier and more affordable for everyone to visit Sutton Coldfield, enjoy the Christmas lights, and see what this delightful town centre has to offer during the festive season.

“It’s a great example of partners working together to help people save money and support the town’s shops, restaurants and bars during what is a crucial time of year for our local businesses.”

* If individuals have applied for the bus transport offer previously, they will not be eligible for the free and discounted bus offers.