Ten high streets ripe for £2bn of new investment
TEN major shopping areas in Birmingham could be transformed over the coming years, claims the council.
The authority has declared the projects are worth more than £2 billion in potential investment.
The outer city areas have been identified in a new vision which was passed by the authority’s cabinet this week.
The ‘urban centres framework’ will ‘guide investment and development decisions’ in future years.
It will also be used to secure funding from various sources including the government, local enterprise partnerships, West Midlands Combined Authority and developers.
Council leader Ian Ward (Lab, Shard End) said: “These urban centres are important focal points.
“This sets out how we will invest in these areas in the coming years.”
Some of the key developments have already been publicised, while more detailed plans will come forward for each area at a later stage. bility as well as to complement activities at Stirchley Baths Community Hub next door.
There will also be refurbishment to shop fronts while some businesses could be combined to form larger units.
The Pershore Road could benefit from wider pathways, new seating and cycle stands. Northfield The south-city location is home to more than 200 shops and has received significant investment in the last 15 years, particularly the construction of the Sir Herbert Austin Way relief road.
But improvements have been proposed including remodelling Northfield Shopping Centre to give it a more appealing front entrance.
The junction between Bell Lane and Bristol Road South outside the centre could also be remodelled to make it more pedestrian friendly. Erdington Central Square Shopping Centre is in line for redevelopment while Wilton Indoor Market will be remodelled to improve its ‘poor’ relationship with the high street.
The former Colliers site on Orphanage Road is a key plot for redevelopment.
Other proposals include introducing one-way traffic on a certain part of the high street and opening up the pedestrianised northern stretch up to vehicles with priority to people on foot. Perry Barr With Perry Barr being the chosen location for the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village much of the improvements have already been made public including the new Sprint bus, A34 cycle highway and redeveloped railway station and bus interchange.
The village itself will provide 1,400 permanent homes and a community centre after the 2022 games. It will also serve as a catalyst for a further 3,000 homes.
Other mooted plans include remodelling the Birchfield roundabout and demolishing the flyover.
One Stop Shopping Centre could also be remodelled to open it out on to the Walsall Road. Coventry Road This is another area expected to benefit from the nearby Metro expansion.
The Bordesley Circus roundabout is considered to be the main ‘gateway’ to the area and its surrounding land has been identified as a key area for redevelopment.
Other areas which could be subject to new homes, businesses and shops in ‘mixed use’ developments include land between Coventry Road and Wright Street as well as the former tram and bus depot.
Existing council housing at Dart Street could also be replaced for ‘higher density’ properties. Meadway The redevelopment of Poolway Shopping Centre will include more than 130 homes as well as 161,000 sq ft of new shops and businesses.
New play and sports equipment will be installed at Kents Moat Recreation Ground.
Connectivity in the area will be enhanced through improvements to Lea Hall railway station, particularly addressing parking issues, while Meadway is another eastern city destination to benefit from the Metro extension providing better access to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the new HS2 interchange. Stechford, Bordesley Green, and Alum Rock Road were also identified for improvements by the city council.