Another pain whilst punting in Brum.

[runner in the woods]

Punting in Brum as a out of towner, just got that little bit of a pain, as someone who doesn't know the city , I'm getting to a point to abstain from Birmingham girls as it's just too much of a risk driving into the city, being not familiar with ULEZ zones , l now find that a lot of roads are now slowed down to 30mph. Bit of a 'mare tbh, just in case of speeding fines and ulez fines and parking fines. Does anyone else avoid coming to Brum?.

[RandomGuy99]

No.

I use External Link/Members Only to find parking usually on street for a reasonable price and pay via app or phone.

I use External Link/Members Only to check if I need to pay, but fortunately I don't have to as my vehicle doesn't produce a lot of pollution. If you do need to pay, then it's a maximum of £8 for a car. Is that really too much to pay?

It's easy getting in and out of Birmingham and finding parking.

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[RandomGuy99]

and to avoid speeding fines just observe the speed limits. It's easy.

[runner in the woods]

For me it's a faff too far. I'll leave those girls for you guys and stick to the outskirts.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Have you got an old, polluting car? Most modern cars are exempt from the ULEZ.

Is public transport an option? Birmingham is at the centre of the railway network and the tram covers a good portion of the city centre.

[bonham]

Not punted in Birmingham City centre for 7 to 8 years to much hassle parking. Then walking following your Google maps. Then when you find apartment  cant get in has nothing works . Usually have to wait for someone coming in or out then your late.  Jewelry quarter just about acceptable. But those that do punt there dam well done to you all your a better punter than me.
Annoyingly girls always put Birmingham City centre on there adverts then when someone reviews you find out they're no where near Birmingham City centre but outside

[RandomGuy99]

Not punted in Birmingham City centre for 7 to 8 years to much hassle parking. Then walking following your Google maps. Then when you find apartment  cant get in has nothing works . Usually have to wait for someone coming in or out then your late.  Jewelry quarter just about acceptable. But those that do punt there dam well done to you all your a better punter than me.
Annoyingly girls always put Birmingham City centre on there adverts then when someone reviews you find out they're no where near Birmingham City centre but outside

I've done 10 bookings in Birmingham city centre over the last couple of years. I arrived and found an on street parking space and pretty much all the spaces were empty.  I had used Parkopedia to find a suitable car park nearby the location, but far enough away to be discreet. I paid for parking via an app in 5 minutes. I had downloaded and registered on the app the day before as Parkopedia had told me what apps were needed for the different car parks. Arrived at the SPs' location and was buzzed. Deed done and I'm back out on the road. No CAZ charges or penalties. No speeding fines as I obeyed the posted speed restrictions.

[bonham]

I've done 10 bookings in Birmingham city centre over the last couple of years. I arrived and found an on street parking space and pretty much all the spaces were empty.  I had used Parkopedia to find a suitable car park nearby the location, but far enough away to be discreet. I paid for parking via an app in 5 minutes. I had downloaded and registered on the app the day before as Parkopedia had told me what apps were needed for the different car parks. Arrived at the SPs' location and was buzzed. Deed done and I'm back out on the road. No CAZ charges or penalties. No speeding fines as I obeyed the posted speed restrictions.

Well I did say if you punt in Birmingham City centre your a better punter than me. And definitely use all the apps to your advantage. 
Parkopedia that's a name I wouldn't put on my phone or on Google search 😂 .
Thanks but think I'll stick to park and enter and leave city center to the better and more experience punters

[runner in the woods]

Have to agree with Bonham, it's just not worth the hassle. Especially if you want to be in and out , taking mo chances of fines .

[RandomGuy99]

Have to agree with Bonham, it's just not worth the hassle. Especially if you want to be in and out , taking mo chances of fines .

What fines though?

[alabama1]

I always get the train now. I purchased a senior railcard last year, which entitles me to a third off the fare. A return to Brum costs me about £4.50

[RandomGuy99]

I did see on the local news today that tgere are further reductions in road speeds this year. This is all part of the councils policy to reduce traffic into the city centre to get pollution levels down. They're encouraging the use of public transport by reducing parking in the city centre too.

[Dark Vader]

What fines though?

They have changed some dual carriage way speeds from 40 to 30 and It's catching a lot of people out. No flash, just a letter through the post!

[RandomGuy99]

They have changed some dual carriage way speeds from 40 to 30 and It's catching a lot of people out. No flash, just a letter through the post!

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I normally come in on the A38(M) and that's staying at 50. I just keep an eye on my speedo.

I have seen a few twats in the city centre who treat the A38(M) as a race track.

[bonham]

What fines though?

Not for the punters that go in armed with apps and knowledge of speeds bus lanes . Even stopping to drop someone off camera can get you for stopping. That's what  I say your experienced on city centre punts . I believe 90 % go in bye bus or train has alabama1 seid he always goes in on train now

[bonham]

I did see on the local news today that tgere are further reductions in road speeds this year. This is all part of the councils policy to reduce traffic into the city centre to get pollution levels down. They're encouraging the use of public transport by reducing parking in the city centre too.

Think they dropping the speed down to 20 and 30mph so BMWs can get past you easier without going 70mph.  55 or 60mph should be enough for them now

[shed]

Birmingham is a shit hole and complete dump. I try to avoid at all costs if possible.
Supposed to be the second city below London. It's a disgrace.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I’m astounded that guys won’t drive into the second city because of the potential fines. Come on guys, man up and grow a pair!

Congestion charges apply to older cars, vans or wagons that pollute, you can easily check if you will need to pay it. You only need to check once unless they change the rules and the rules haven’t changed since it was introduced in 2021. So unless you drive an old car, a HGV or a large van you should be ok.

Outside of the peak Christmas period parking is a piece of piss. If you’re coming into Birmingham from the M6/Aston Expressway then the Livery Street multi story is as central as you can get. It’s reasonably priced for a couple of hours parking too and from here you can walk to the tram which will get you close to the Mailbox/Cube/Chinatown/Five Ways. It’s also well placed if you’re driving in from the Hagley Road or from West Bromwich and the wider Black Country. If you’re coming into Birmingham from the south of the city then park in the red cage car park at the end of Navigation Street which is close the Mailbox, the Cube, Chinatown and the tram. It’s also dirt cheap.

So it’s easy in and easy out unless all of you Birmingham avoiders drive Austin Allegros or Austin Maxis!

You will need an app like RinGo to pay for parking but that’s the same everywhere, not many car parks have pay terminals anymore.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Birmingham is a shit hole and complete dump. I try to avoid at all costs if possible.
Supposed to be the second city below London. It's a disgrace.

Is it?

[fairyguy]

Is it?

Central Birmingham is very nice - a lot of investment coming into the city as HS2 is nearing completion. However parts outside central Birmingham are horrible

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Central Birmingham is very nice - a lot of investment coming into the city as HS2 is nearing completion. However parts outside central Birmingham are horrible

I agree but the same applies to most major towns and cities so to write Birmingham off is a generalisation based upon ignorance and prejudice.

However HS2 isn’t anywhere near completion but that’s a whole different conversation

[manofleisure]

I think most service providers in Birmingham city centre set their expensive hourly rates for clients who can afford to pay because they also know those same punters can afford to pay for parking and Clean Air Zone charges. As I'm in Walsall I stay local where it's cheaper -- even though you mostly have Chinese or Thai masseuses

[Jasonk71]

You have Hungarian Suzy who is in the centre of Walsall.
On Sat or Sun I'm hoping to see an Italian female who is based in Walsall

[shed]

Central Birmingham is very nice - a lot of investment coming into the city as HS2 is nearing completion. However parts outside central Birmingham are horrible

You think Birmingham city centre is very nice !! Take away the bullring and the city centre is a shit hole. A bankrupt council and zero investment.
The mailbox is full of restaurants and art galleries. Broad street is awful. I'm not prejudice one needs to live there which I did unfortunately for a period of time

[Kingfisher69]

You think Birmingham city centre is very nice !! Take away the bullring and the city centre is a shit hole. A bankrupt council and zero investment.
The mailbox is full of restaurants and art galleries. Broad street is awful. I'm not prejudice one needs to live there which I did unfortunately for a period of time

I've lived in Brum since the 90's and compared to then the city has had billions invested into it from private companies and corporations, hotel chains and the city council. Unfair I think to state one year of a bankrupt council and I'd like to know where you're getting your facts from for a zero investment into the city. Perhaps you should look up the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) who are extending the tram service across the West Midlands, at a cost of £1.3 billion, most of which is happening in Brum and a lot of it is in Broad Street.

Bizarre that the Mailbox should be full of restaurants and art galleries though. When it was converted in the late 90's from Brums main Royal Mail sorting office (hence the name) to a mixed-use development, this includes retail, which art galleries come under as you can buy art there and restaurants. You'll be telling us next that the petrol stations in the city centre have got petrol in them.

There'll always be areas of any town or city that looks rundown. But you're stating generalisms not specifics.

[manofleisure]

You have Hungarian Suzy who is in the centre of Walsall.
On Sat or Sun I'm hoping to see an Italian female who is based in Walsall

I prefer British-born ladies

[fairyguy]

You think Birmingham city centre is very nice !! Take away the bullring and the city centre is a shit hole. A bankrupt council and zero investment.
The mailbox is full of restaurants and art galleries. Broad street is awful. I'm not prejudice one needs to live there which I did unfortunately for a period of time

You must be a very boring person then

[bonham]

I was going on about the difficulty of punting in city centre but now it's turned into a debate the state off it. So my opinion is go into dead centre it's OK not brilliant but every step you take going out just gets worse and even the new builds are well I can't find a word bad enough for them then you get to the outskirts of Birmingham take eny direction half mile out thers only the jewellery quarter that's good. Enybody tell me what is nice half a mile to a mile out of the city centre. Case closed I think

[RandomGuy99]

I was going on about the difficulty of punting in city centre but now it's turned into the state off it. So my opinion is go into dead centre it's OK not brilliant but every step you take going out just gets worse and even the new builds are well I can't find a word bad enough for them then you get to the outskirts of Birmingham take eny direction 1 mile out thers only the jewellery quarter that's good. Enybody tell me what is nice half a mile to a mile out of the city centre. Case closed I think

Stassi External Link/Members Only 😁

[bonham]

Stassi External Link/Members Only 😁

Good one randomguy I gotta admit she's just about nice on your way out 🤣

[bonham]

Just wondering why the jewellery quarter is still so good and nice. Is it because they  have left the buildings alone and not spent millions on it .
It looks the same has 40 years ago never heard a bad word about jewelry quarter.
Now the rest of Birmingham city centre has buildings that looks the pits .putting trams on may be good we will see. But trams are never make all thes new builds look eny better 

[slimdude1]

Punting in Brum as a out of towner, just got that little bit of a pain, as someone who doesn't know the city , I'm getting to a point to abstain from Birmingham girls as it's just too much of a risk driving into the city, being not familiar with ULEZ zones , l now find that a lot of roads are now slowed down to 30mph. Bit of a 'mare tbh, just in case of speeding fines and ulez fines and parking fines. Does anyone else avoid coming to Brum?.

Birmingham is easy to punt in. Checking whether your vehicle is ULEZ compliant takes 5 mins through a simple search. Roads having a 30mph limit, just don't speed and you'll be fine.

In terms of parking I'd argue that Birmingham is very easy and straightforward for parking. Most streets in the city centre have ringgo, costs are fine for the hour or two. Public transport access is even easier and most flats WG's operate in are walking distances from the stations.

If you're not used to big cities and come from quieter towns, can seem overwhelming but it's very simple and straightforward.

[shed]

I was going on about the difficulty of punting in city centre but now it's turned into a debate the state off it. So my opinion is go into dead centre it's OK not brilliant but every step you take going out just gets worse and even the new builds are well I can't find a word bad enough for them then you get to the outskirts of Birmingham take eny direction half mile out thers only the jewellery quarter that's good. Enybody tell me what is nice half a mile to a mile out of the city centre. Case closed I think

According to fairguy you like me must be a boring person Bonham. How he works that out only he knows 

[alabama1]

I was going on about the difficulty of punting in city centre but now it's turned into a debate the state off it. So my opinion is go into dead centre it's OK not brilliant but every step you take going out just gets worse and even the new builds are well I can't find a word bad enough for them then you get to the outskirts of Birmingham take eny direction half mile out thers only the jewellery quarter that's good. Enybody tell me what is nice half a mile to a mile out of the city centre. Case closed I think

I imagine that applies to any city in the UK, or Europe 

[bonham]

I imagine that applies to any city in the UK, or Europe !

Going out of Dublin every way you go is nice

[alabama1]

Going out of Dublin every way you go is nice

Nothing to do with the Guinness consumption ? 

[bonham]

According to fairguy you like me must be a boring person Bonham. How he works that out only he knows 

Boring is getting round city centre going on apps to park. Following Google maps to find your punting apartment .Getting into the apartment. Hoping your car has no ticket on it or worse towed away. After all that stress maybe not able to get a hard on  😂Then waiting 3 weeks to see if you get a fine through the door incase a camera has got you .

[alabama1]

Boring is getting round city centre going on apps to park. Following Google maps to find your punting apartment .Getting into the apartment. Hoping your car has no ticket on it or worse towed away. After all that stress maybe not able to get a hard on  😂Then waiting 3 weeks to see if you get a fine through the door incase a camera has got you .

These bits actually sound a lot more adrenalin pumping than some of my punts in Brum 

[RandomGuy99]

Boring is getting round city centre going on apps to park. Following Google maps to find your punting apartment .Getting into the apartment. Hoping your car has no ticket on it or worse towed away. After all that stress maybe not able to get a hard on  😂Then waiting 3 weeks to see if you get a fine through the door incase a camera has got you .

I usually find car park on app the day before.

Arrive early, park and pay for parking

Wait for SP to tell me apartment building and number.

SP sends the details and I lesuirely walk to venue and get buzzed in

No stress at all.

Have a good booking

Return to car and drive home.

The only stressful one I had was when Pride was on in city centre and it took longer. Solution is  don't do bookings when Pride is on.

I've never had a parking issue or a speeding fine for visiting an SP in Birmingham. Having to pay £8 for clean air zone isn't a problem if you're paying £250 to see the SP.

It's easy. It just takes a bit of planning in advance. I sometimes even pay for the parking in advance to avoid any last minute problems.

[bonham]

You make it sound so easy RandomGuy99 with the way you are organised.
I only know on the day if I feel like a punt . I can't just say I think I want a punt tomowa has I want it today if I feel like that .
So usually go in the next few hours. To be honest if the advert or adultwork or review says Birmingham city center I just skip past them

[shed]

I usually find car park on app the day before.

Arrive early, park and pay for parking

Wait for SP to tell me apartment building and number.

SP sends the details and I lesuirely walk to venue and get buzzed in

No stress at all.

Have a good booking

Return to car and drive home.

The only stressful one I had was when Pride was on in city centre and it took longer. Solution is  don't do bookings when Pride is on.

I've never had a parking issue or a speeding fine for visiting an SP in Birmingham. Having to pay £8 for clean air zone isn't a problem if you're paying £250 to see the SP.

It's easy. It just takes a bit of planning in advance. I sometimes even pay for the parking in advance to avoid any last minute problems.

You are too serious. He was being humorous. 

[RandomGuy99]

You make it sound so easy RandomGuy99 with the way you are organised.
I only know on the day if I feel like a punt . I can't just say I think I want a punt tomowa has I want it today if I feel like that .
So usually go in the next few hours. To be honest if the advert or adultwork or review says Birmingham city center I just skip past them

I always book ahead as on the day bookings have proved to be a waste of money.

[WelshClipper]

I have found Brum to be a great punting ground. I always take the train in and leave my car in the multi-storey in Wolves. I always punt on the day and always manage to find something.

For me Brum and Manchester are both good but I do think that London is fucking amazing 

[alabama1]

I have found Brum to be a great punting ground. I always take the train in and leave my car in the multi-storey in Wolves. I always punt on the day and always manage to find something.

For me Brum and Manchester are both good but I do think that London is fucking amazing 

I agree, Brum is as good as most places. Never punted in Manchester. Maybe this will be the year, along with a return trip to the capital, and also Cardiff, where i had my best ever punt !

[Incuk]

I agree, Brum is as good as most places. Never punted in Manchester. Maybe this will be the year, along with a return trip to the capital, and also Cardiff, where i had my best ever punt !

Who was your best ever in Cardiff? I'll be there soon so welcome any recommendations...

[alabama1]

Who was your best ever in Cardiff? I'll be there soon so welcome any recommendations...

I think she has retired 

[Iloveoral]

Who was your best ever in Cardiff? I'll be there soon so welcome any recommendations...

Polite nudge, no clock, but a review is needed matey

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[Iamforreal]

I think she has retired 

I think you're talking about Alice Star, I was in the process of arranging a date with her through emails then she completely disappeared and deactivated her account, gutted  she looks gorgeous, hopefully she comes back at some point, we can only hope 

[Denton]

Birmingham is much easier to park in compared to other places like Manchester or Leeds.

I use Livery Street for all JQ providers especially Water Street
Q Park Brindley Place for Broad Street
Q Park Mailbox for Chinatown or Bath Row

All off major roads, easy to get spaces and short walking distances. 

[mr.bluesky]

Central Birmingham is very nice - a lot of investment coming into the city as HS2 is nearing completion. However parts outside central Birmingham are horrible

HS2 is a long way off completion, probably at least another 10 years
I used to punt the Birmingham massage parlours in my early days, Harmony, Penny's New Manyana etc but very few if any left now. Certain areas of Birmingham are notorious for car stripping thefts. If you park in these areas you will come back to your car and find half it of missing. Its been stripped down for parts, unless you park in a secure cctv car park. I certainly wouldn't risk parking it in a quiet side street in Birmingham, not worth the risk . Like it's been said, probably ok if you use public transport but I have not used a bus or train for that matter for years . Too much hassle unless you are familiar with the bus routes and train times.