Consultation for public realm improvements for the City Centre

Birmingham City Council is consulting on some exciting public realm improvements for the City Centre.  The plan showing the proposals is shown here.

The proposals will:

• Enhance the public realm using new high-quality paving materials throughout the scheme area, whilst reinstating heritage paving in sections of Victoria Square
• Create a kerb free pedestrian route for passengers travelling from New Street Station to the retail and business centre
• Widen footways, where possible, to provide easier connectivity for pedestrians
• Replace the temporary Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures that have been in place for several years with permanent, less intrusive, measures at occasions within the public realm
• Extend Victoria Square into Colmore Row and Waterloo Street forming a larger pedestrian space
• Remove one tree from Waterloo Street that is in decline and replace with one new tree in a nearby location
• Improve and enhance the street lighting, making the area feel safer for all
• Improve way-finding for all
• Upgrade the street furniture by replacing the existing with high-quality street furniture
• Repair and restore The River fountain in Victoria Square

The Council are also proposing to extend the existing pedestrian zone and loading restrictions to standardise operation times to 7am to 7pm seven days a week to ensure a safe and secure environment for pedestrians during times of busy footfall.

Construction is expected to begin in 2020.

There will be two drop-in sessions where you can see the plans for yourself and talk to the project team:

You can also see the plans online and respond via a questionnaire at www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/citycentrepublicrealm or you can request paper copies from transportprojects@birmingham.gov.uk or 0121 303 7532

The consultation closes on 21 February 2020.