GROUND TO A HALT
We live in the shadow of a major UK stadium – it was ‘revamped’ for a huge event but now it’s rotting & going to waste
RESIDENTS who live in the shadow of a major UK stadium say their area was revamped for a huge event but is now "rotting and going to waste".
Disgruntled locals in Perry Park, Birmingham, live in the shadow of the Alexander Stadium which was built for last summer's Commonwealth Games.
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The little inner city patch of the West Midlands was thrust into the sporting spotlight when the world-renowned Commonwealth Games arrived.
Promises to regenerate the inner city area included better traffic, new homes, a shipping container park and the revamped stadium taking pride of place.
But one year after the event, campaigners say Perry Park has been left in disrepair with parts of it remaining fenced off since the huge multi-sport event.
Unhappy residents have now called for the works on the park to be completed.
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And they want the area reopened to what they say is a vital green space for the community.
Locals argue months have gone by with little or no visible work and say they can't take their pets for walks or children out into the nature space.
They are also fuming at the children's play area not being reinstated, the Birmingham 2022 tarmac car park still in place and unwanted plans for a volleyball pitch.
And with the Commonwealth Games now having moved on, residents still complained about feeling "more unsafe than ever".
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The continued closure had already sparked a protest in March and a petition reaching thousands of signatures to "Save Perry Park".
Resident James Hinton, chair of Friends of Perry Park, said in told : "Since our March protest we have heard nothing and nothing has happened since the Commonwealth Games. Work has been done to Alexander Stadium but not the park.
"The fence line is the same, which was supposed to be changed in February.
"The tarmac road is still there, drainage pits have not been filled, stones have not been picked up and the children's playground is still not accessible."
Since the protest a letter was penned by Cllr Ian Ward in response to the concerns, addressed to Cllr Morriam Jan who has been supporting the residents' fight.
But James and other residents are fuming and claim they are being "fobbed off" with false promises.
He continued: "I accept there are significant groundworks but they have had years to prep for this, his letter is misleading and disingenuous and residents are beyond furious.
"There was not even an apology in the letter and I feel like we are being fobbed off.
"We are not giving up and if Ian Ward thinks he can mislead us he is mistrusting the strength of community feeling."
"There was not even an apology in the letter and I feel like we are being fobbed off."
James Hinton
Cllr Ian Ward said in his letter: "We recognise the importance of Perry Park to the local community, and would like to reassure you that colleagues at Birmingham City Council (BCC) are committed to reopening an enhanced Perry Park at the earliest opportunity.
"The reinstatement works are being undertaken in several packages and therefore will conclude at various stages during 2023. The reinstatement works involve the following activities:
"Stone picking to ensure the parkland is safe for pedestrians, and maintainable (in terms of grass cutting).
"Remedial works to the bund located in the eastern section of the Park, and surrounding ground conditions. Whilst some remedial works were previously undertaken to the bund, it is recognised that further are required.
"Removal and reinstatement of the large section of the Transport Mall (formally known as the ‘Games Family Transport Mall’) and associated drainage pits.
"Seeding of reinstated grass areas to return the Park to its previous condition."
Cllr Jan plasted Cllr Ward for "not taking this seriously" and said the park is now rotting away.
She responded to the letter in a Twitter video where she screwed it up and threw it away, arguing that despite the letter's claims, they have seen no work for months.
She claimed stones have not been picked up and anti-social behaviour has occurred at the fencing, with graffiti spray painted on the wooden boards.
Cllr Jan said: "Ian Ward is not taking this seriously and the park is rotting and going to waste. His response was just waffle, there is no work or construction going on.
"Police were called after a resident was verbally abused by someone spraying graffiti on the wooden barriers."
Birmingham City Council did not offer a statement and directed us to Cllr Ward's letter.
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