Construction on Church Street Square due for autumn

WORK is due to start in October on restructuring a street in Birmingham’s business district after the final business case was approved by the city council.

Pavements in Church Street will be significantly widened in a bid to make the area more attractive to business people and visitors while parking bays between Edmund Street and Cornwall Street will be reduced from 28 down to three and one loading bay.

The ‘Church Street Square’ scheme is one of many in the ‘Big City Plan, a 20-year masterplan for the redevelopment of Birmingham city centre.

A report by Birmingham City Council’s planning directorate said the works would include 12,313 sq ft of new paving along with landscaping, parking bays, trees and other associated works at a total cost of £811,700.

There will also be a one-off compensation payment of £14,000 to business in the street in lieu of potential loss of revenue due to the reduction of traffic.

The road itself will be reduced in width by an average of five metres which will create a single lane, running in one direction, while the footpath will increase to 7.5m at its widest point.

Colmore Business Improvement District is expected to contribute up to £250,000 towards the total costs of the project.

A tender contract is due to be awarded in September with all work expected to be completed by January next year.

Gary Cardin, chairman of Colmore BID, said: “This is an exciting opportunity that shows the true benefits of how business improvement districts can work in partnership with Birmingham City Council.

“The new square will add to the public realm improvements promoted by Colmore Business District across the commercial heart of Birmingham and be a showcase area for high quality, pedestrian friendly, open spaces in the city.”