Work has officially begun on a transformative lighting scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham, aimed at creating brighter, safer streets and boosting the local night-time economy. The initiative, funded by Birmingham City Council and HS2’s Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF), includes the installation of 75 high-performance LED lighting columns along key pedestrian routes.
The £210,140 investment from HS2, combined with match funding from the council’s Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI), will enhance accessibility and improve the experience for those walking through Digbeth, particularly near the under-construction HS2 Curzon Street Station.
Illuminated Routes to Support Community and Night-Time Economy
The new lighting features eight-metre tapered columns with illuminated coloured finials to mark two pedestrian routes:
Yellow Route: Connecting Allison Street (near Moor Street Station) to the Custard Factory.
Pink Route: Guiding pedestrians from Allison Street towards Fazeley Street, River Street, and Digbeth’s bars and restaurants.
The Digbeth Access Community Group played a vital role in shaping the project, which is expected to be completed by spring 2025.
Part of a Broader HS2 Community Initiative
The lighting project is one of over 300 initiatives funded through HS2’s Community & Environment Fund (CEF) and Business & Local Economy Fund (BLEF). Since 2017, HS2 Ltd has awarded over £17 million to community projects, with the West Midlands region receiving £3.5 million.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Fund, highlighted the significance of the project:
Digbeth’s lighting project will bring a variety of benefits for local people and the area’s night-time economy. I encourage organisations in communities affected by HS2 construction to explore available funding opportunities.”*
Driving Economic Growth and Connectivity
Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station, central to HS2’s vision, is progressing with construction, including the installation of 2,000 underground foundation columns. When complete, the station will feature seven high-speed rail platforms, connecting London and the West Midlands while supporting economic growth and easing congestion on local rail networks.
Cllr. Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for transport and environment, said:
This project highlights the importance of Digbeth’s vibrant night-time economy and showcases the collaborative efforts of the business community, the council, and HS2.”*
With nearly 31,000 workers building HS2, including over 9,600 in the West Midlands, the new high-speed rail network promises to enhance connectivity, reliability, and economic opportunities across the region.