Suburb ‘revamped’ for world stage felt like an unfinished painting

As I walk down a busy road in Perry Barr^[1] it's like a different world. Where once was a grey and grim area, laden with graffiti and chaotic traffic jams, the landscape has received a lick of paint to brighten it up.

Thank goodness it did since just a year ago, the world renowned Commonwealth Games^[2] came to the inner city patch thrusting this corner of Birmingham into the world's spotlight. Home to Alexander Stadium, once Brum landed the hosting gig it was clear Perry Barr would be a key spot in need of a makeover. Crowds were expected to swarm in like bees to honey for the dazzling ceremonies and adrenaline pumped athletics. A good impression was seen as a vital part of the process.

And the list of improvements perked residents up with promises of an upgraded train station, revamped Alexander Stadium, more streamlined traffic, an athlete's village, new homes and a chance for locals to finally feel pride in their area.

POLL: Answer these 7 questions and we’ll tell you where in Birmingham you’re from^[4]

Certainly when you visit you can actually take Instagram worthy pictures. Smoother street paving is accompanied by flowers, shrubs and more bins to tackle litter.

The removal of the Birchfield roundabout^[5] has lessened the rush of traffic, Perry Barr train station has finally been modernised^[6] and plush apartment blocks constructed. So why does it seem like the job is half done?

The area certainly looks brighter but is the makeover simply masking embedded problems? Amongst the fancy new buildings and flowers lay the shattered fragments of broken promises.

The athlete's village never came to be,^[7] the shipping container park is still delayed^[8] and parts of Perry Park, home to Alexander Stadium, have been fenced off^[9] angering locals. It's jarring to walk past the impressive revamped bus depot and see graffitied walls just a few yards down.

Despite dreams of a prettier Perry Barr the delayed closure of the tip^[10] has led to concerns about dirtier streets dotted with fly tipping. The rise in unregulated exempt properties across Aston and Perry Barr fuels late night fights, anti-social behaviour and open drug use.

Just five months after the games residents still complained about feeling 'more unsafe than ever'. So what was promised after the Commonwealth Games and what did we get?

Traffic was a major concern in the run up to the games due to the A34 Perry Barr highways improvement scheme^[11], traffic cones and barriers were everywhere to be seen. However the Birchfield Road roundabout has since been removed and replaced with a signal junction.

Perry Barr train station was revamped into a more modern facility, despite residents joking it looked like a rusty teabag^[12]. One bitter disappointment^[13] was the £500 million athlete's village^[14] intended for Perry Barr that was cancelled due to timing and the pandemic.

However the plot of land is now home to almost 1,000 plush apartments^[15] for first time home buyers. Alexander Stadium went through the biggest change^[16], being levelled up from the ground and emerging like a butterfly fit for Ozzy Osbourne's memorable performance^[17].

The stadium's future^[18] involves further sports events including concerts, community activities and BCU students relocating their sports facilities to the stadium. Another blow to Perry Barr's redevelopment were the delayed plans to create a shipping container park^[19].

Over 70 containers would be fitted with giant screens to broadcast the games, however plans were pushed back with the council admitting they would not be completed in time for the event. The council have now revealed the park is still going ahead with a new operator.

All in all, the area was boosted as promised but more work needs to be done. Perry Barr is like an unfinished painting at this point, it just need a few more brush strokes to be fit for a gallery.

Nostalgic for the Commonwealth Games 2022? Catch up on our coverage here^[20]

References

1. ^{^} Perry Barr (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^{^} M42 shut live as air ambulance at scene of serious lorry crash near BHX (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^{^} POLL: Answer these 7 questions and we’ll tell you where in Birmingham you’re from (xd.wayin.com)
5. ^{^} removal of the Birchfield roundabout (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Perry Barr train station has finally been modernised (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
7. ^{^} athlete's village never came to be, (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
8. ^{^} shipping container park is still delayed (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
9. ^{^} have been fenced off (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
10. ^{^} delayed closure of the tip (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
11. ^{^} A34 Perry Barr highways improvement scheme (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
12. ^{^} looked like a rusty teabag (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
13. ^{^} bitter disappointment (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
14. ^{^} £500 million athlete's village (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
15. ^{^} almost 1,000 plush apartments (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
16. ^{^} the biggest change (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
17. ^{^} Ozzy Osbourne's memorable performance (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
18. ^{^} stadium's future (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
19. ^{^} shipping container park (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
20. ^{^} here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)