The Paradise Circus development, or “Paradise Birmingham” as it’s also known, is a large regeneration scheme in central Birmingham which is replacing some of the city’s most recognisable buildings such as the Conservatoire and the Central Library. These will be replaced with offices, hotels, leisure buildings and a Metro tram stop, in a bid to modernise the city and create more usable spaces. Clearing work for this development began at the start of 2015 with two of the first buildings completed by 2018; the eventual goal for full completion is 2025.
Great as this all sounds, this has come with a series of disruptive road closures, especially for the metro tram stop. There have been many complaints about the delays and diversions in place, especially when the works came to halt this year due to lockdown, putting a temporary halt on phase two of the extension that was expected to have West Midlands Trams up to 54 Hagley Road running by Christmas 2021.
Since restrictions have been eased, the roadworks surrounding the Paradise Circus development have restarted and certain roads have now been reopened. However, the roadworks are still causing lane closures, in turn creating a slow flow of traffic, especially during rush hour. Paradise Circus is open and accessible from Suffolk Street Queensway/A43 by taking the second from left lane ramp which continues onto Paradise Circus through to Fleet Street on the left and Great Charles Street Queensway/A4400 on the right.
Holiday Street/A456 is also open and can access Paradise Circus by turning left on Suffolk Street Queensway. Broad St/A456 still has some road closures past the canal leading up to Centenary Square as well as the top of Bridge St/A456 leading up to Centenary Square.
Deliveries can still be made in these areas by talking to site staff and accessing the buildings in these areas that are not accessible to cars. Overall, this will still ultimately cause delays to rush hour traffic throughout Birmingham, so it is best to plan a route to work that avoid the Paradise Circus development until at least 2025. Be sure to check the Birmingham City Council live roadworks map to see other dates and closures.
