Have your say on plans to revamp city centre public spaces
Birmingham businesses, citizens and visitors are being encouraged to take part in a public consultation over plans for a £25m regeneration of the city centre, which opens today (13 January 2020).
New images of how New Street, Temple Street and Victoria Square may look are also being released to coincide with the launch of this consultation.
The outline business case for Birmingham City Council’s plans to improve to the city centre’s public realm ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, was approved by Cabinet on 29 October 2019. The full business case is due to go to Cabinet in April.
Public consultation drop-in events will be held in the city centre so businesses, citizens and visitors can find out more about the proposals:
- Wednesday 5 February: Head of Steam, Temple Street, midday to 3pm
- Wednesday 12 February: Rooms 3 and 4, Council House, Victoria Square, 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
The proposed works will be carried out in two phases. The first stage will include improvements to Victoria Square, Colmore Row, Bennetts Hill, Waterloo Street, New Street, Ethel Street, Lower Temple Street and Temple Street. The second phase will incorporate areas around Temple Row, High Street, Union Street, Union Passage, Warwick Passage and Needless Alley.
The works programme will also include permanent hostile vehicle security (HVM) measures as part of a comprehensive safety and security strategy for the city centre, which through this project will be integrated into the street scene, replacing temporary measures that have been in situ for several years
Public realm assets and areas around the city centre are in need of improvement, and as such these proposals will help create a gateway to the Commonwealth Games, providing a lasting legacy for Birmingham by creating a place that will enhance the city centre visitor experience, support retail business and a cleaner environment.
For anyone unable to attend the events, all consultation material will be live following the first consultation event via the council’s Birmingham Be Heard consultation website.
Those unable to access the internet can pick up a consultation leaflet and paper questionnaire at the Library of Birmingham from today.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on Friday, 21 February 2020.
