Roundabouts to go in HS2 station plans
TWO of Birmingham’s busiest roundabouts are to be flattened and turned into signal controlled junctions to accommodate HS2.
A planning application has been submitted to the city council to completely remodel Curzon Circle and Garrison Circus on the Lawley Middleway ring road.
The changes are needed to accommodate additional traffic generated by the construction of HS2 and the Curzon Street terminus as well as new traffic patterns following the opening of Curzon Street Station.
The proposed HS2 line will be situated between the two roundabouts.
It will run parallel to the existing railway lines, but on a higher viaduct in order to cross over a rail line further east.
Curzon Circle sits to the north of the current rail tracks and links Lawley Middleway with Curzon Street and Vauxhall Road.
Garrison Circus lies to the south linking Lawley Middleway with Garrison Lane, Great Barr Street and
Water Lane Middleway. A planning statement describing the works says: “In essence, the works involve the remodelling of the existing Garrison Circus and Curzon Circle roundabouts, with four armed signal controlled junctions incorporating controlled pedestrian crossing facilities on all approaches.
“The upgrade of the two junctions from roundabout to signal control junctions is to accommodate additional traffic generated by the construction of HS2 and the Curzon Street terminus and also the associated altered traffic patterns following the opening of Curzon Street terminus.
“The Curzon Circus junction will be a key access into the proposed Curzon Street Station for taxis, service vehicles and for drop-offs to the station.”
The carriageway and footways will be raised as well as the removal of the humps within the roundabout islands which will be levelled off. The approach roads will be widened and segregated right turns will be introduced.
More than 75 trees will be torn down to allow for the schemes but the application states around 79 new ones will be planted.
The planning application did not include details on how the works will be carried out and the potential disruption which will be caused for motorists.