What’s going on behind the fences?

If you live in the area, you’ll know that the vast majority of the park remains fenced off - remember that the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony was back on 8th August last year.

But you may not be aware of the condition of the park inside that fence line.

Sadly, a huge area of the “transport mall” remains in situ - that’s the large tarmac area in the photo above, which was intended for use as a drop-off point for visitors attending the games.

Our understanding is that Birmingham City Council is committed to removing the remaining transport mall and restoring the parkland as they promised (and as the planning permission requires) and that council officers were surprised by the condition the park was left in when the Commonwealth Games organisers handed back the site.

But that’s not the point…

The communities surrounding Perry Park are very concerned about the delays in any visible progress restoring this area. And faith in the Council to keep its promises has been sorely undermined by recent public comments - local people keep telling us they have had enough and need to see progress now.

The parkland has been out of bounds for the community for years while building work took place prior to the Commonwealth Games, and the community was supportive during that time - recognising what an amazing opportunity it was to have a prestigious international athletics event hosted in our city.

But what may seem like a short time in the minds of a project manager can feel like a lifetime if you’re a local child denied access to the safe place you used to play in.

Please join us by signing our petition to urge commitment to action across Perry Park, and to save the whole of the park for public use!