Unofficially, Birmingham is known to be the UK’s second city. With a population of approximately 1.15 million in the city center and a further 4.2 million in the wider area of the region, it’s one of the most populous areas of the nation.
As a result of its demographics and burgeoning numbers, it’s no surprise that there has been a construction boom in recent years. The city needs to ensure that it remains in a position to handle everything that takes place there.
Infrastructure, buildings, and expansions are all key to ensuring the city remains attractive for people to live and work. If this is achieved, the local economy can thrive. In order to do this, construction projects need to take place.
What construction projects are taking place in Birmingham?
Many of the UK’s biggest construction projects have been taking place across Birmingham and the city’s surrounding areas recently. Wherever you go, you’ll notice that there are various pieces of construction equipment being used, with the demand for them continually increasing. It’s possible to see scaffolding materials being erected everywhere, which has led to contractors using scaffold tower hire by Boels within the city and its outskirts due to their company’s plant locations and the mobility of the equipment.
The HS2 (high-speed) rail network is one of the most prominent of builds at the moment. It’s not been without fault or delays, but it’s a crucial project that can help to increase the economy locally and nationally. It’s been designed to transport passengers between Birmingham and London within 49 minutes, traveling at speeds of 225 miles per hour (360 kilometers per hour).
The project will also see the creation of new stations, including one at Curzon Street. This project will see the station become one of the greenest in the world. It is expected to start being built in 2025, and there will be a lot of work needed to be done. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we saw the bulldozers and wacker plates being used to level out the ground and form a base for the station to be built. You can check out Boels for more information on wacker plate hire and what they can be used for to get a better understanding of what they can achieve and why they are being used.
Aside from the HS2, it’s also possible to see other projects taking place across Birmingham. Other metro developments are taking place across the city. Known as the ‘Metro Midlands Expansion’, it’s designed to increase the city’s accessibility further.
Property developments have also been taking place. The SETL housing development that is situated in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter is scheduled to be completed soon. This is expected to attract new people to the area, with one- and two-bed apartments being made available. More homes are being built in areas such as the Ringway Centre, too.
Additionally, commercial spaces are being renovated and built. Paradise is new development that continues to expand, while Birmingham Smithfield’s plans to regenerate Digbeth is thought to create over 100,000 jobs and generate billions to the local and national economy. The BBC is set to move to the location in 2026 by moving to Typhoo Wharf, making it the company’s new home in the former Typhoo Tea factory.
How will the city benefit from the new construction projects?
As highlighted, several socio-economic benefits can be enjoyed following the completion of construction projects.
While they may create challenges in various guises at the moment, such as creating local traffic issues, pollution in many forms, or having an impact on total job numbers at the moment, each of these projects have been designed to provide advantages to the area and its residents.
New jobs will be created once the projects are operational, while new opportunities will also be available. Of course, the HS2 and improved metro links will likely make the city feel even busier than it already is, but with more money coming into the area, the more it can improve further.
Given the continued arguments the city has with Manchester about being the UK’s second-city, these construction projects can all help Birmingham to strengthen its claim and keep hold of the unofficial title.
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