One of our busiest streets is ignored

DEAR Editor, What has happened to Union Street in Birmingham City Centre?

I’ve lived in Birmingham for 23 years and this area has not seen any investment compared to other parts of the city centre. It is the main thoroughfare from High Street and Carrs Lane to Corporation Street and the new tram stop.

In its current state with broken flagstones, uncomfortable and poorly-designed street furniture and bland buildings this is hardly an inviting main thoroughfare for visitors and tourists to Birmingham.

I would propose Birmingham City Council thinks outside the box in any future redesign of this street. To me, the purpose of Union Street is to draw visitors, tourists and shoppers further into the city centre to explore sights such as St Philip’s Cathedral and the Colmore Row area.

To be really innovative, the city council could run a design competition and involve the various universities in the city to give a creative and modern refurbishment of Union Street. This area could be transformed with effective and creative paving perhaps with drawings and writings telling the history of the area and informing pedestrians that it is the main route to the new tram stop.

Furthermore, the design of the 1960s buildings above the shop facades needs a makeover with brighter colours. I would like to