A once “scarred” stretch of pavement on Birmingham’s busy Colmore Row has now been restored to its former elegance, though calls for further improvements in the area continue.
Luxury granite paving stones outside Birmingham Council House, which were removed and replaced with unsightly tarmac by National Grid contractors earlier this year, have begun to return following efforts from local campaigners and a prompt from BirminghamLive.
The temporary tarmac repair sparked public outrage, with residents describing it as “lazy” and “ghastly,” questioning why the original slabs weren’t reinstated immediately after the works.
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After BirminghamLive contacted National Grid about the delays, the company, which funded the recent repairs, committed to restoring the pavement “as soon as possible.” Now, one section of the granite walkway has been replaced, although other areas remain covered in tarmac.
Local activist Reiss Omari, who has been vocal about improving the city’s streets, celebrated the milestone on social media, sharing images of the renewed pavement. He noted, “It’s really happening! Paving stones are going back down around the lamppost on Colmore Row. These paving stones were replaced with tarmac back in February 2025. So glad we finally have a result. Now just two other large patches to go.”
Birmingham City Council has stated it is “actively working” with National Grid to ensure permanent reinstatement of the pavement. National Grid confirmed ongoing discussions, emphasizing that restoring the granite slabs is a complex process that involves coordination on responsibility, materials, and delivery to ensure proper restoration.
A spokesperson for National Grid acknowledged the local frustration, saying: “We know the current finish on Colmore Row isn’t what people expect, and we’re committed to restoring the original granite slabs as soon as an agreement is reached with the council.” The energy firm stressed the temporary tarmac was a standard safety measure while working on a permanent solution.