£15m to transform Digbeth High Street alongside new tram line

Digbeth High Street is to be transformed into a greener, more pedestrian-friendly street after more than £15 million of funding was secured for the scheme.

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has allocated £15.4 million from its Enterprise Zone investment plan to the city council for the project, with the council adding a further £272,000.

What will change

Work will begin in July and is expected to finish next summer. It will be carried out alongside the construction of the Metro tram extension through Eastside to Digbeth.

The plans include a two-way tram line on the southern side of Digbeth, closest to the coach station, and a wide new public space with planting, trees, lighting and places to sit. There will be one lane of general traffic in each direction on the northern side, and part of the road will be given priority for buses, bikes and black cabs, removing through traffic while keeping access for local deliveries.

Some turns on and off Digbeth will be removed, and the direction of traffic will change on some surrounding roads. Pavements will be widened, and there will be better cycle routes and more cycle parking.

The creative quarter

Digbeth, once the heart of the city's industry, has become known as Birmingham's creative quarter, home to the Custard Factory, independent businesses, music venues and street art.

Tim Pile, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said the scheme would transform how visitors, businesses and residents use the corridor, and make the most of Digbeth's location near the HS2 station at Curzon Street.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and the environment, said: "I'm delighted that our funding application to transform Digbeth High Street has been successful. We are investing significantly in the Eastside area of Birmingham, with a focus on improving public transport to make it a sustainable, reliable and better option for everyone living, working and visiting Birmingham."

"The plans for the public realm with seating, greenery and lighting will help the local economy to thrive and walking and cycling will be a safe and pleasant experience."

Trams to Digbeth

The £227 million Eastside extension will run for about 1.7km from Bull Street in the city centre to Digbeth, adding four new tram stops. More than half the route is planned to run without overhead wires, like the recently opened extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square.

Utility work began last year, and construction on Lower Bull Street is due to start next month. Because of the complexity of the work at the HS2 station, an opening date for the tram extension has not yet been set.

Disruption ahead

The council consulted the public on the plans early last year, and says they received overwhelming support.

Lane closures will be in place from July while a central reservation is built, and the council has warned that there will be some disruption. Travel advice will be provided while the work goes on, and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.