Bulldozers demolish Birmingham's Bronx

Aug 23 2005 By Neil Elkes, Evening Mail

IT was the moment families had waited years to see - the demolition of the notorious city estate dubbed Birmingham's Bronx.

After months of wrangling the bulldozers moved in today to start tearing down the Wyrley Birch estate, in Erdington.

And the sight of the maisonette blocks, which had become a magnet for vandals and drug addicts, being demolished has been met with jubilation.

This time last year families had taken to the roofs armed with huge banners demanding the council took action.

They accused council chiefs of dragging their heels after promising to regenerate the deprived estate.

Now the maisonettes on Lakes Road, opposite the former Chase pub, are coming down and more of the outdated blocks will go over the next 12 to 18 months. Building work has also started on a new children's and community centre.

The bulldozers have been warmly welcomed by Pat Burke, a Lakes Road resident of 32 years who supported last year's protest.

The 56-year-old, who lives with son Derren, 31, said: "It has taken a while to get them down, but were are happy it is happening at last. The protests were worthwhile.

"There will be a lot of mess for a couple of years but it will be worth it in the long run.

"The council needs to ensure that people now look after the homes in future."

Council cabinet member for housing Coun John Lines said: "When I went down to the estate last year and heard what residents had to say I immediately launched an action plan to get things moving. "Since then 52 more properties have been added to the clearance programme and 32 families have now been re-housed."

"Regular rubbish collections and special clean up operations are taking place and police have stepped up patrols and CCTV monitoring.

"Residents are starting to see a difference but it will take a bit longer to get things the way everyone would like them."