Commonwealth Games facilities to remain at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium as next huge event planned

Temporary transport facilities which helped Birmingham's Alexander Stadium host the Commonwealth Games are to be kept for the next big sporting event. Members of Birmingham City Council's planning committee approved the authority's own plans to keep the 'Games Family Transport Mall' and the 'Spectator Mall' at the Perry Barr venue.

They were installed to help spectators and athletes' family members get smooth access and circulation at the southern entrances during the 2022 event. Overlay structures installed were only given temporary permission back in 2021 but this has now been extended as the stadium will host the European Athletics Championships in 2026.

The application said: "The Games Family Transport Mall and the Spectator Mall were constructed as part of the Commonwealth Games Overlay works to enable the smooth access and circulation around the southern entrance to the Alexander Stadium for athletes' family and also spectators. Since completion of the Commonwealth Games event much of the temporary overlay infrastructure has been removed.

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"However in November 2022 Birmingham City Council were announced as the host of the European Athletics Championships for 2026 at the Alexander Stadium, marking the first time the event will be held in the United Kingdom. It was therefore concluded that the temporary approval for the Games Family Transport Mall and the Spectator Mall and therefore its removal would not support the requirements of this event, or serve the needs of the stadium for future events. It is therefore deemed necessary to amend the current approval to allow the retention of the Games Family Transport Mall until December 31 2027 and secure the permanent retention of the Spectator Mall, also known as the L-shaped road.

"Further to facilitate future circulation it will require the reinstatement of the drop kerbs where the access spur road joins Church Road, and access controlled by new security barriers." The application did attract some opposition with concerns raised about the park land not being redeveloped and returned to the community.

But planning officers said: "Several comments have been received around the reinstatement of Perry Park and the delay the proposals would cause to this. Whilst the retention of the Transport Mall until the end of 2027 would inevitably mean a delay, it would be limited to a fairly limited part of the overall site and plans are in progress to activate this area when not in use for events.

"Therefore, on balance, I consider the proposed minor amendments to support the City’s aim of international recognition and tourism attraction and would not unacceptably impact on the character of the area or long-term
use of the park by the public."