A damaged stretch of pavement on one of Birmingham's busiest streets has finally been restored to its former glory, although campaigners are calling for further improvements in the area. The luxury paving stones on Colmore Row, which were ripped up by National Grid contractors, have begun to reappear after pressure from campaigners and intervention by BirminghamLive.
The granite slabs, located outside Birmingham Council House, had been replaced with an 'eyesore' tarmac surface after being removed by workers, sparking public outrage. Residents described the temporary fix as 'lazy' and 'ghastly', questioning why the slabs were not reinstated immediately after the work was completed.
Now, one section of the pavement has been restored, though other areas remain covered in tarmac. The new slabs were installed after BirminghamLive contacted National Grid two weeks ago to inquire about reinstatement. The energy company, which funded the repairs, promised to carry out the work 'as soon as possible'.
Reiss Omari, a social media campaigner for city improvements, has long advocated for the full restoration of the area. Sharing an image of the restored pavement online, he said: '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 previously stated it was 'actively working' with National Grid to secure a permanent reinstatement. National Grid confirmed it was in discussions with the authority, aiming to restore the pavement once an agreement was reached, and acknowledged public frustration.
A National Grid spokesperson said: 'We know the current finish on Colmore Row isn't what people expect, and we understand the frustration. A temporary surface is in place to keep the area open and safe while a permanent solution is implemented, which is standard practice. Reinstating the original granite slabs is more complex than standard paving. We're working closely with the council to agree the right approach, including responsibility, materials and delivery, and to restore the area properly as soon as possible.'
