Plans to expand the petrol station at Birmingham’s Costco are set to be approved, aiming to address congestion issues on the nearby Heartlands Parkway during busy periods.
The application, submitted to Birmingham City Council, proposes increasing the number of fuel pumps from eight to twelve. Along with this, modifications are planned for the existing canopy and the creation of two dedicated lanes: one exclusively for fuel customers and another for the car park.
These proposals come in response to ongoing queues that have affected both the entrance to the Costco warehouse and the A47 Heartlands Parkway at peak times.
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According to the planning documents, “The proposal has been brought forward due to the success of the existing fuel facility. When first completed, the fuel station was a popular addition with members and operated without problems.” However, changes in the fuel market have made Costco’s pricing more attractive, leading to increased demand that now exceeds the station’s original capacity during peak periods.
This demand has occasionally resulted in queuing that impacts both the warehouse entrance and surrounding roads. The document notes ongoing discussions between Costco and Birmingham City Council to find solutions that prevent queues from extending onto Heartlands Parkway.
The expansion plans focus on two key improvements: firstly, adding four additional fuel dispensers to boost throughput capacity by nearly 50%, which should reduce queuing times. Secondly, the creation of a dual-lane diverge on Heartlands Parkway to separate vehicles accessing the fuel station from those visiting the warehouse, preventing fuel queues from affecting warehouse traffic and the wider road network.
A council officer has recommended the approval of these proposals, subject to conditions, after evaluating the planning considerations. The plans are scheduled for discussion at Birmingham Council’s planning committee meeting on Thursday, 8 October.