A radical reform of transport in Birmingham city centre has been outlined by council chiefs which could dramatically affect the way businesses operate and how residents move around.
Among the proposals are increased pedestrianisation of central Birmingham and possible restrictions of the A38 tunnels to vehicles.
The masterplan is aimed squarely at reducing traffic flow and therefore pollution in the centre of the city but this could have a dramatic knock-on effect on workers and businesses, particularly those in the core Colmore Business District area.
A report is due to be discussed at the next meeting of Birmingham City Council's cabinet next Tuesday.
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Among the key points are:
- Employers could be charged for each parking space they provide via a workplace parking levy with proceeds used for the East Birmingham Metro Extension and other projects
- A new ‘segment scheme' which will restrict private car trips between these segments and the centre itself and redirect vehicles onto the A4540 Ring Road (see map below) with public transport, walking and cycling boosted in the city centre
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- Improved cycling and walking routes and more pedestrian zones alongside improved wayfinding to public transport hubs
- More housing to be built on council-owned car parks while pavement parking will be removed alongside the removal of free parking in the city centre and elsewhere
- Residential streets across the city to become 20mph by default
Elements of the masterplan have been reported before, such as a move to redirect traffic onto the while parts of the city centre have and temporary cycle lanes in areas such as the Jewellery Quarter.
Birmingham City Council's transport chief Cllr Waseem Zaffar said that the ‘segment' scheme was the closest to becoming reality.
he said: "We know from conversations from people who walk, use public transport, that they are very supportive of the plans around the segments.
"I think you will see over the coming months the delivery of the segments being something that is brought forward faster than some of the other big moves within the Birmingham transport plan."
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He said there were no plans "at this stage" to close the A38 tunnels, adding: "The plan sets out a massive vision, an ambitious and bold vision.
"We have got a motorway running right through the heart of the city through the A38.
"I think it would be rather unfair if we [...] didn't have a look at the current use of the A38 tunnels in line with our policies [...].
"It is very, very early days with respect to the future use of the A38 tunnels and I would be surprised if we get anything around that in the coming months at the very earliest."
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "The changes proposed are likely to lead to a huge overhaul of the way we move goods and people around the city.
"It's clear the importance of the sustainability agenda has gained even greater traction during the pandemic and our members recognise that action needs to be taken to reduce dangerously high levels of pollution.
"Let's not forget that many businesses have been rocked to their core by the pandemic and are only just embarking on the long road to recovery and will be concerned about any additional costs they could potentially face.
"We would urge the council to take a pragmatic approach and constructively engage with firms in order to fully appreciate the impact these changes are likely on the wider business community."
Paul Fielding, deputy chairman of Colmore Business Improvement District and chairman of its accessible and connected working group, said: "Colmore BID is in strong support of radical measures to improve health outcomes, reduce pollution and congestion and mitigate climate change in Birmingham.
"With an increased reliance on public transport, we hope that additional thought is given to the night-time economy which has suffered significantly during the covid pandemic.
"We all need to make climate change and pollution our business and we as a BID will continue to work with Birmingham City Council and partners to make the area safer, cleaner and greener for all."