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MAYOR ANDY STREET ‘DISAPPOINTED’ AS COUNCIL PRESSES AHEAD WITH PLAN TO REMOVE PERRY BARR FLYOVER
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has said he ‘can’t support’ a decision by Birmingham City Council to remove Perry Barr flyover, despite 150,000 objections.
The £27.1 million scheme, which would see the removal of the flyover on the A34 in Perry Barr in favour of putting all traffic onto a dual carriageway at ground level, is now likely to go ahead as an alternative has not been found.
More than 15,000 objections have been tabled against plans to tear down the major flyover in Birmingham, close to the site of the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village.
Mr Street, who heads up the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Birmingham City Council intend to press ahead with the demolition of Perry Barr flyover.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is concerned about plans to remove Perry Barr flyover and the disruption the work will cause for local people.
Council chiefs were handed eleven petitions totalling 15,273 signatures opposing the removal of the flyover.
Mr Street also said he was concerned the demolition could also put an unnecessary further burden on preparing for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“The Commonwealth Games are going to be great for the whole region, bringing investment, regeneration, housing and jobs,” he explained. “I think it is important that the people most affected by the Games, in areas such as Perry Barr and Great Barr, feel those benefits.
“This decision is despite thousands of local people registering their opposition. It also ignores the transport surveys saying demolition will not make things better from a traffic and congestions point of view.
“The technical report shows that removing the flyover would actually make traffic marginally worse than it is now.
“That’s without even taking into account the huge disruption that taking the flyover down will cause. “To spend potentially £30million on this seems frankly bizarre and not something I can support.”
“We already face a challenge to be ready for 2022, putting everything in place to deliver a fantastic sporting event, while ensuring that there is a lasting legacy that provides improvements for people living nearby,” he said.
“We need to focus on public transport improvements including upgrading Perry Barr station and introducing Sprint rapid bus services.”
Council bosses have defended the plans, saying they are an example of moves designed to move people from car usage to public transport.
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