Birmingham's Colmore Row could be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard as part of new plans revealed this week.

It is one of two major projects aimed at transforming the city centre's business district which have been designed by the Birmingham office of architecture group Broadway Malyan.

The practice is working on a £10 million project to create a rejuvenated public square in front of Snow Hill station and a pedestrian-friendly Colmore Row.

The firm said one of the key aims of the projects was to create a highway system which would reduce the impact of traffic and improve the experience for visitors and workers.

These public projects will feed into the wider Snow Hill Masterplan - a 20-year, £600 million vision revealed last year which will create new office and residential accommodation in a bid to lure even more corporations to Birmingham city centre.

Director and landscape architect Danny Crump, who is leading the project for Broadway Malyan, said the ultimate goal was to create public spaces befitting of a world-class business district.

He said: "With Birmingham Cathedral at its heart and flanked by magnificent buildings like the Grand Hotel, the Colmore area really is one of the finest of any of our great cities but there are a number of localised physical problems that have a significant negative impact.

"For all the wonderful architecture, this is a road-dominated environment with a poor pedestrian experience and an uninspiring sense of arrival to this important commercial hub when leaving Snow Hill station. The heavily urbanised city centre has multiple constraints, many of which have evolved over years of organic growth and change.

A new square could greet travellers leaving Snow Hill station
A new square could greet travellers leaving Snow Hill station

"We will be working with key stakeholders - fundamentally the people who live and work in the area - to really unravel the components of the place and then deliver a transformational scheme that is both creative and aspiration yet practical and technically sound."

Funding for the project has been allocated by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership growth fund to a joint bid by Birmingham City Council and Colmore Business Improvement District.

Coun John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, added: "It's exciting to see this amazing project starting to gather pace. The Snow Hill Masterplan is a bold vision for the continued transformation of Birmingham's thriving business district.

"Birmingham is a hugely investable city and this is yet more proof of our determination to build on the growing confidence in our city."

Simon Marks, board director with Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, said: "This is an important project for Birmingham and GBSLEP as part of the long-term vision to transform this area of the city centre.

"This appointment is another milestone in the realisation of the Snow Hill masterplan and the continued investment in the city."

Also working on the project are transport specialist JMP, civil engineering firm WYG and mechanical consultancy Hoare Lea.

Colmore Row as it looks today
Colmore Row as it looks today