Solihull Council Approves £15m High Street Masterplan for Shirley

Solihull Borough Council has formally approved a fifteen million pound regeneration framework for Shirley High Street following a lengthy planning committee session on Tuesday evening. The proposals focus heavily on traffic calming measures, public realm enhancements, and dedicated funding for local independent businesses along the Stratford Road corridor.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety and Retail Footfall

Under the newly adopted masterplan, pedestrian crossings near Haslucks Green Road will be significantly widened to reduce congestion during peak shopping hours. Architectural renders presented to the committee illustrate expanded footways with stone paving, modern street lighting, and integrated rain gardens designed to mitigate surface water flooding.

Local trade representatives welcomed the decision, noting that footfall along the main commercial strip has struggled to match pre-pandemic levels. Council officers confirmed that construction tenders will open early next spring, with initial groundworks expected to commence by late summer.

Addressing Parking Concerns and Bus Routes

Opponents of the scheme raised concerns regarding the proposed reduction of short-stay on-street parking bays to accommodate new cycle lanes. In response, transport officers highlighted plans to reconfigure nearby council-operated car parks to offer two hours of free parking for visitors.

Bus operators serving the A34 corridor have agreed in principle to adjusted timetable stops during the construction phases. The council committed to publishing monthly traffic management bulletins to minimize disruption for surrounding residential streets in Shirley and Dickens Heath.