Birmingham's Busiest Street Undergoes Major Transformation
Birmingham city centre's most frequented thoroughfare, New Street, has been dramatically reduced to rubble as extensive public realm improvement works get fully underway. The festive decorations and Christmas market huts have long been cleared away, replaced by construction zones and cordoned-off sections as workers begin the substantial task of revitalising this key urban artery.
Phased Works Across Multiple Locations
The transformation forms part of Birmingham's ambitious city centre enhancement plan, with the first phase having commenced on January 5th. Initial works focused on Victoria Square steps alongside sections of Temple Street and New Street itself. Overall, the project will unfold across six distinct phases, with completion expected to take approximately two years to achieve.
Areas within the so-called 'Chicken Quarter' have already seen pavement brickwork removed, revealing the underlying layers beneath. Further along New Street, between prominent establishments like Nandos and KFC, and between The Apple Store and Watches of Switzerland, businesses remain operational despite the ongoing construction activity.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Improvements
The extensive works promise significant upgrades to Birmingham's public spaces. Planned improvements include:
- New granite surfacing throughout affected areas
- Enhanced lighting systems for improved safety and ambiance
- Upgraded drainage infrastructure to address issues like the large puddles currently forming near the Bullring end of New Street
- Modernised street furniture and improved signage to assist visitor navigation
Contractor CPC Civils, the civil engineering firm leading the project, has emphasised that the changes will create wider footways for pedestrians, amended traffic regulations to support pedestrian and cycle-friendly environments, and the replacement of temporary Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers with more permanent, less intrusive safety measures.
Minimising Disruption During Construction
While the concrete-breaking work generates considerable noise, contractors are employing noise-cancelling equipment to direct sound away from neighbouring businesses. Dedicated staff remain on-site to marshal traffic and ensure safety within cordoned areas. On Temple Street, works continue between establishments like Fumo and Flight Club, with similar mitigation measures in place.
Looking beyond New Street, the improvement programme will eventually extend to numerous other city centre locations including Bennetts Hill, Ethel Street, Lower Temple Street, Eden Place, and Chamberlain Passage, promising a comprehensive enhancement of Birmingham's urban landscape over the coming years.
