New plans to enhance Sutton Coldfield town centre have been unveiled, although initial proposals for a new bus station and the closure of a main road to through traffic have been abandoned.
The Sutton Gateway Scheme, first proposed around eight years ago in 2017, aimed to connect Sutton Coldfield with the high speed two (HS2) rail network.
This has now been revised into a new 15-point proposal to improve public transport, walking and cycling links to Sutton's heart, funded by the central Government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement programme. However, original plans for a new bus station adjacent to Sutton's railway station have been discarded.
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Also scrapped are the Sutton Coldfield Masterplan's plans to close Brassington Avenue to through-traffic, except for buses. The intended closure of Brassington Avenue was part of an effort to break the town's 'concrete collar' - the ring road surrounding the main shopping area.
The new £25 million gateway scheme plan, developed in collaboration between Birmingham City Council, WMCA and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, now aims to subtly impact drivers with narrower roads, a new 20mph speed limit, road closures and one-way restrictions, changes to signalling and priority for buses, all designed to make the town centre more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
The Sutton Gateway Scheme's Strategic Outline Case has gained approval from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), signalling that amendments to Sutton Coldfield’s town centre could be on the horizon by the end of 2024. Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council has issued an update for January 2025, outlining 15 potential changes for the town centre, reports .
The much-anticipated new bus station for Station Street is notably absent from these plans. Previously aimed at redirecting buses from Lower Parade and South Parade, which are considered to divide the town centre, this project is now off the table due to a funding setback.
The report says WMCA did not receive approval for the full £50 million required, leaving the bus station proposal unfunded. According to the report, "WMCA secured £25.0m from Central Government to fund Sutton Gateway. Unfortunately, Central Government did not support the funding of the bus interchange as part of this funding, instead providing the £25.0m to enable the delivery of other transport elements of Sutton Gateway as well as some transport improvements outlined within the Sutton Coldfield Masterplan."
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BirminghamLive understands opposition from local businesses also contributed to the changes, as they did not want to see buses diverted from the heart of the town towards the station.
The report mentions Sutton town centre, like many others, being impacted by online shopping, out-of-town retail parks and competing town centres. It is described as having 'many outdated buildings'.
The centre is described as being 'dominated by wide roads, which support through traffic and on-street parking, but squeeze people onto narrow footways', posing challenges for pedestrians and those with mobility issues. Rather than closing the bus station and Brassington Avenue to most traffic, 15 smaller modifications are proposed, aimed at enhancing accessibility and ultimately stimulating business in the heart of the Royal Town.
These proposed changes include more and improved pedestrian crossings to break the 'concrete collar'. They include:
1. Bus interchange: Instead of a new bus station in Station Street, there will be incremental changes in Lower Parade and South Parade described as 'renovation and improvement to infrastructure'. This includes new bus shelters with CCTV and better lighting, along with 'high-quality paving and street furniture'. Notably, pedestrian guard railings are to be removed 'to improve environment'.
2. Integrated crossings are planned for Lower Parade, where the buses operate, at the junction with Victoria Road. This is part of an effort to soften the 'concrete collar' effect.
3. Road carriageways at Park Road, Mill Street and Victoria Road are set to be reduced in size. The aim is to lower traffic speeds, reduce the town centre's 'cut off' feeling, and promote active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling into town.
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4. A two-way on-road segregated cycle path will be introduced, connecting the town centre with the railway station and other cycle routes. A section of Brassington Avenue is included, which was previously the site of Sutton's controversial 'dangerous' cycle lane during the Covid pandemic. While that lane was scrapped before its official opening, the new segregated two-way lane may fare better.
5. Crossings throughout the town are set to be improved and signalised, giving pedestrians priority.
6. Lower Queen Street, branching off from Queen Street, will be closed to through traffic. This move aims to create space for the two-way segregated cycle lane.
7. A new 20-mph limit will be implemented on Sutton's ring road, another measure aimed at making the town centre more pedestrian and cycle-friendly.
8. Park Road is set to become a one-way street, heading eastbound onto Brassington Avenue, with the objective of enhancing walking and cycling connections to Sutton Park.
9. The Station Link Gateway project: While the bus station plans have changed, there are set to be more subtle changes such as a 'pedestrian-priority' link to the Parade, additional pedestrian crossings from the railway station to the town centre, 'improved wayfinding', and potential for public art and seating along Brassington Avenue from Park Road to Station Street.
10. Station Street to Park Road link
The path from the station to Park Road is set to be improved.
11. Footway improvements around United Reformed Church
No further details given.
12. Mill Street car park conversion
The car park is to be made blue badge only.
13. Relocation of taxi rank away from Nando's
The rank which sits on the A5127 roundabout – next to Nando's is to be moved – but the report does not say where to. This is aimed at improving bus movements and pedestrian access.
14. Mobility hub
A mobility hub will be provided at the railway station and there will possibly be more 'as part of a wider car parking consolidation'.
15. Bus priority
New signals are to give priority to buses.
Cllr Simon Ward (Cons), Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and chairman of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership, confirmed that the bus station plan will not proceed and stated that the proposal to close off Brassington Avenue 'isn't in this stage'. However, he added: "if you look at these 15 things, they are breaking the concrete collar around the Gracechurch. The same objectives are still there and enhanced linkage to the park.
"Achieving this key milestone for the Sutton Gateway scheme represents a real success story for both the town council and Royal Sutton Coldfield. Leveraging public sector funding to act as a catalyst for investment across the town centre has been a long term objective for the town council.
"Not only will the 15 projects deliver real and sustainable improvements for the town centre, progressing the scheme to this stage demonstrates how the town council is successfully working in partnership to secure real and tangible benefits for the wider town."
Labour West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said: "Revitalising high streets like Royal Sutton Coldfield is a key part of my mission to boost local economies and support our communities. This Gateway project will transform travel in and out of the town, attracting new investment in shops, offices, and housing while making Sutton Coldfield a better place to live, work, and visit."
After the proposals were discussed by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council this week, the next stage is for an Outline Business Case to be made for the 15 proposals, then a Full Business Case on the benefits the changes are set to bring. There will also be a public consultation on these new proposals.
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