HS2 public space plans approved for city centre

Major plans for Birmingham's new HS2 station have been approved in a project set to transform the wider city centre location.

HS2 Ltd - the company delivering the new railway connecting Birmingham to London - recently put forward a revised scheme for the public spaces around Curzon Street Station which is currently taking shape.

The proposals were considered by a Birmingham City Council planning committee after a report to members said the spaces would result in "high‑quality, robust and characterful public realm".

The report added they would also contribute "to the delivery of a world‑class station and landmark destination in Birmingham".

The "distinct character areas" include:

• Station Square, the main arrival space which would include natural stone paving materials, lighting, furniture, soft landscape gardens and terraces.

• Curzon Promenade, located to the north of the western concourse and to the north of Station Square. It has been designed as a "green‑infrastructure link with a parkland character".

• Curzon Square and New Canal Street Square - two spaces set to merge to form a large-scale, hard-paved city square.

• Old Curzon Street Square Gardens - a garden square set for the east of the Grade I listed Old Curzon Street Station.

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