Mayor to launch new city bridge competition

A COMPETITION to design a new bridge that would better connect Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to the city centre has been revealed. Plans for the bridge, which would link the famous quarter to the Colmore Row business district, have been floated by West Midlands mayor Andy Street because the current option “isn’t good enough”.

The mayor is to launch an international architectural competition to build the new bridge to connect the two.

Pedestrians are currently forced to either take an old bridge over Great Charles Street Queensway, a dingy underpass or cross the busy junction with Newhall Street. Mr Street told Brummies “something has to change”. He said: “The link between the Jewellery Quarter and Colmore Row is unacceptable. “You’re faced with the choice of a rickety old bridge or a dark underpass.

“With record levels of development on both sides of the A38, something has to change.

“I’m pledging to launch an international architectural competition to build a new bridge connecting the Jewellery Quarter and Colmore Row.

“The link between two of Brum’s best areas isn’t good enough.

“We have to deliver an accessible link that celebrates the city’s heritage.”

Social media users were delighted at the prospect.

One said: “Brilliant. What a relief it will be.

“The current link is horrible and a disgraceful sight for any visitors to the city wishing to walk between Colmore Row and St Paul’s Square and the Jewellery Quarter. But please, don’t leave it too long, and really give us something fine.” Others floated the idea of scrapping the A38 – which runs under the bridge – altogether, to make the city more pedestrian friendly.

One person said: “We don’t need a major road through the city centre.

“As long as the road is there, the two sides will be divided. Take it underground and prioritise people and cyclists.”