'Don't play Commonwealth Games with me'- how the residents of Perry Barr are feeling in the lead up
- Libby Stables
- May 2, 2020
- 2 min read
The community that will be the home of the games tells how the development plans have the possibility to disrupt their every day lives.
Via A34 Safety Action Group - Facebook
The 'wider regeneration' scheme set out by Birmingham City Council in order to prepare Perry Barr for the Athlete's village, has been causing a stir within the community.
As part of the scheme, the City Council has promised significant transport and connectivity improvements, improvements to the environment and new commercial and residential development.
However, this hasn't been received well by a lot of Perry Barr's 23,652 residents.
As part of the scheme, the A34 flyover, which allows traffic from the City Centre to pass through Perry Barr via multiple lanes, is set to be demolished.
In hope to defer the plans, a group, A34 Safety Action, was set up so it's members can gather together and share their disapproval.
In March, however, their attempt to take legal action against the plan was lost by a court ruling.
Here are just a few things that they had to say:
"Everyone that travels over the wonderful flyover will be effected.
With all that is going on the flyover needs to be saved more then ever - saving much needed money that can be put to far better use at this terrible time." -Gail Warwood, Perry Barr
"No one has listened to us. People were forced into compulsory selling of their houses, some of the older generation who wanted to see their days out in their home ..forced out! Those houses are now been used to home others." - Samantha Clifford-Brown, Perry Barr
The streets next to the site on which the athletes village is being built is being affected by the building work.
A residential leaflet released by Birmingham City Council intended for the residents of wellhead lane and neighbouring street reads:
"the Council wishes to buy [your land] to progress the regeneration proposals for the area... we will be using a CPO alongside normal negotiations. A CPO allows the Council to buy land even if the owner does not agree." - Birmingham City Council
Carole Goodman, an elderly resident of Wellhead Lane had this to say:
"It is a total tip around the area, with fly tippers.
The dust and noise from the university being knocked down was ridiculous for me!"
The Council have made it clear that they intend this project to become a temporary home for around 6,500 athletes who will be attending the games.
Only time will tell if the housing that will become available once the games are finished will be affordable to compensate for those who have had to sacrifice their homes in the making.
To keep up to date with the information regarding the regeneration of Perry Barr visit:
Alternatively visit the A34 Action Group on Facebook for additional information.
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