The demolition of the Perry Barr flyover will go ahead despite opposition, Katie Porteous reports
The demolition of the Perry Barr flyover is set to go ahead despite thousands of objections from the local community.
The Perry Barr flyover on the A34 will be removed to make way for a new dual carriageway at ground level. Birmingham City Council plan to open up the section of the road to allow for a cycle lane and footways to encourage the use of public transport and bicycles.
To spend potentially £30 million on this seems frankly bizarre
The proposal has received over 15,000 oppositions through several online petitions, with protestors gathering at the side of the road to voice their disapproval.
The majority of the opposition is to the disruption the work to demolish the flyover will cause, as the project is not due to be completed until 2021.
Protestors believe that the construction will lead to constant traffic jams, with the new dual carriageway doing little to ease congestion problems in the area.
Taking to Twitter to express his disapproval, Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said that ‘to spend potentially £30 million on this seems frankly bizarre and not something I can support.’
The plans come as part of the £500 million regeneration programme across Birmingham, to prepare the city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The athlete’s village will be built on the former Birmingham City University campus in Perry Barr close to the flyover, and will later provide 1,400 new homes.
Furthermore, the village will provide 400 jobs and new sporting facilities through the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium which will host athletics during the Games.
The cabinet of Birmingham City Council met on 15th October to vote and pass the proposal.
Following a call in by Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors, the Overview and Scrutiny committees will consider whether to ask the cabinet to review their decision.
Work will commence shortly
Speaking to Birmingham Live, Cllr Waseem Zaffer said that despite opposition, no alternative proposals had been put forward and therefore the work will go ahead. Work will commence shortly to ensure the busy highway is open ready for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Comments