Significant improvements to public safety have arrived in Birmingham city centre with the installation of new high-powered lighting in key areas that had been plunged into darkness.
Safety campaign leads to action
The lighting upgrades come following a determined campaign by BirminghamLive and local safety advocates after the tragic death of 34-year-old Katie Fox, who was fatally stabbed on Smallbrook Queensway. The incident brought into sharp focus what campaigners had described as unacceptable levels of darkness in populated areas after sunset.
Bullring owner Hammerson has now installed bright LED lights in Rotunda Square - the area surrounding the iconic bronze Bull outside the shopping centre - and within the small tunnel leading to New Street station. Additionally, three temporary high-powered LED lights have been positioned along Corporation Street, another location highlighted as particularly unsafe after dark.
Mixed responsibility and ongoing efforts
The shopping centre initially indicated that most of Rotunda Square fell under Birmingham City Council's responsibility, suggesting the authority should address lighting concerns. However, after emphasising their commitment to public safety, Hammerson took action by installing the new lighting on temporary scaffolding over recent days.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed this represents only the first phase of planned lighting improvements, stating: "We're looking at further ways to improve lighting across our public spaces." The company has also pledged to reactivate the long-dormant LED media eyes at New Street station sometime next year.
It remains unclear whether West Midlands Combined Authority or Birmingham City Council was responsible for the new Corporation Street lighting, with BirminghamLive continuing to seek clarification from both bodies.
Campaigner welcomes improvements
Long-time street safety campaigner Reiss Omari has welcomed the lighting upgrades, describing them as making a "big difference" to the areas. Sharing images of the newly illuminated streets on social media platform X, he celebrated the progress while calling for more permanent solutions.
"Corporation Street is BRIGHT! Three temporary high-powered LED lights have been installed and just look at the difference," Omari posted. "On top of that, Bullring have also installed two new LED lights that have made a big difference."
The campaigner emphasised that persistence had delivered results, though he urged authorities to replace the apparently broken permanent lighting fixtures in Rotunda Square as soon as possible to ensure lasting safety improvements.
Areas still requiring attention
Despite these welcome changes, several other city centre locations remain in urgent need of better illumination. Birmingham City Council's cost-cutting measures had left even busy streets surprisingly dark after nightfall.
Problem areas still requiring immediate attention include:
- Stephenson Street outside McDonald's, which relies almost entirely on light from the fast-food restaurant
- The steps leading to Moor Street station, described as feeling unsafe after 5pm
- The gateway walk into Digbeth from the city centre
- Smallbrook Queensway approaching the tunnel
- The media eyes at New Street station that need reactivating
Campaigners and BirminghamLive continue to call on city leaders to address these remaining dark spots to ensure comprehensive public safety throughout Birmingham's city centre.
