The Curve Square is an area that will be pedestrianised between Halford Street, the north end of Rutland Street, and Queen Street.   It is surrounded by the impressive buildings of Curve, Athena, The Exchange Building, Alexander House, St Georges Church.  The Square and adjacent pavements and carriageway will be paved in granite with the thread made of pink granite and tiny white up lighters continuing into the area.  The area will be covered by CCTV.

 

The area will be used for a variety of activities including street theatre, street markets, processions and outdoor eating areas.   Water and electricity points are being provided to cater for such events.  Negotiations with St Georges Church are underway to improve the entrance to the churchyard.

 

Bollards required to protect the façade of the Performing Arts Centre are to be designed by Greyworld artists and will be interactive and play music.  To reduce street clutter, street lighting will be mounted on to the adjacent buildings.  A proposal for an artist to project images onto the Square is being investigated.  The possibility of artists back lighting the basement grilles of Alenxander House to create a welcoming atmosphere to Southampton Street is being investigated.

 

Vehicles will be allowed to travel from Halford Street around to the southern end of Rutland Street; this is the route vehicles leaving the Rutland Centre car park will take.  However, the vehicles will travel over a raised section paved in granite that will indicate to motorists they must proceed with caution.  Both Rutland Street and Halford Street are proposed 20mph zones.

 

Vehicles will also be allowed to travel from Queen Street and Southampton Street onto Rutland Street and then travel in the direction of Humberstone Gate.  Again, the vehicles will travel over a raised section paved in granite that will indicate to motorists they must proceed with caution.    

 

The northern end of Rutland Street will be one-way in a northerly direction.  It is proposed that this will become a 20 mph zone, as well as Queen Street (from its junction with George Street) and Southampton Street (from its junction with Wimbledon Street).

 

Cyclists on the Belgrave Way will be guided through the area via cycle logos engraved into the granite.

 

 

Work in this area is programmed to start in September 2007, and due to finish in March 2008.