West Midlands Bus route 21
| Route 21 | |
|---|---|
A branded Route 21 Enviro 400 bus | |
| Overview | |
| Operator | National Express Coventry |
| Status | Operational |
| Former operator | PrimeLines |
| Route | |
| Start | Wood End |
| Via | Coventry City Center |
| End | Willenhall |
| Length | Around 8 miles |
| Other routes |
|
West Midlands bus route 21 is a bus route in Coventry, England. It starts at Wood End and ends at Willenhall.
History
Introduction
In November 1940, route 21 was created to replace the tram route 5 to Bell Green, after the latter was abandoned due to air raid damage. It would formerly would have started from Greyfriars Green and Bell Green via Hertford Street, Broadgate, Trinity Street, Hales Street, White Street, Bird Street, Stoney Stanton Road and Bell Green Road; ending at Old Church Road.[1] Then in January 1941, the route was extended to Coventry Railway Station.[1] In August 1951, the service was moved from the railway station to Broadway.[1] In June 1957, bus route 21 was extended to Hall Green Road, Almond Tree Ave to Deedmore road in Wood End.[1] Between February 1957 – March 1962, the terminus was extended to Lenton's Lane to Shilton Cross Road. In June 1962, outward service diverted from Trinity Street via The Burges and Hales Street and onto Jesson Street from Hales Street to Stoney Stanton Road with the new one-way systems.
In 1985, the bus route became a Cross City route that replaced the former bus route 22, going to Willenhall.[2]
Modern era
The bus route formerly used Mercedes 0405 articulated buses, however these were retired in 20 March 2018.[2][3] Enviro 400's were also used on the route, though the whole fleet has now been replaced with the newer Enviro 400 EV's.[4][5]
Route
The bus route connects core areas including:[4]
- Wood End
- Bell Green
- Gallagher Retail Park
- Coventry City Center
- Whitley
- Willenhall
Reception
Crime
According to Coventry Live reports, route 21 was the location for offences including nine thefts and three counts of criminal damage reported between January and September 2024.[6]
Parliament coverage
A UK Parliament publication mentions that Route 21 serves socially excluded areas.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d "Coventry Corporation Bus Routes Service 21". www.cct-society.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ a b mfitchew (2021-11-26). "Return To Coventry-18/11/21". Tram, Train & Buscapades!. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
- ^ Peat, Chris (26 March 2018). "Coventry says farewell to the bendy bus". Bus & Coach Buyer.
- ^ a b "21 Willenhall - Wood End (via Coventry)". nxbus.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ Baguette, Stefan (2023-04-13). "Repeat National Express electric bus order takes West Midlands BYD–Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV fleet to over 300". Alexander Dennis. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
- ^ Kaur, Jaspreet (2025-03-15). "Dangerous Coventry bus services named as NX say they have 'targeted patrols'". Coventry Live. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ^ "House of Commons - Transport, Local Government and the Regions - Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-02.