Bridge is set to be bulldozed

Aug 24 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM landmark seen by millions of motorists driving through the city centre will today disappear from the skyline.

The pedestrian footbridge that spans Suffolk Street Queensway is being demolished as part of a new multi-million pound development.

The footbridge links the city centre at Brunel Street to Holliday Street on the other side of the A38 where the Mailbox and the Crown Plaza hotel meet.

A section that spanned Holliday Street was demolished earlier in the year and the removal of the biggest section was taking place today.

The footbridge is going as part of preparatory work for the £500 million Arena Central scheme that will construct Birmingham's tallest building.

But it means traffic delays for shoppers heading into Birmingham.

Suffolk Street Queensway was today closed in both directions until 10pm.

Diversions were set up around the A4540 outer ring road to take as much traffic out of the city centre as possible.

City bosses said access to the city centre, including shopping centre car parks and New Street Station, would be maintained and alternative routes signed.

Alan Lloyd, the city council's traffic manager, said: "The removal of the footbridge allows the regeneration in the city to continue.

"All practical measures are being taken to minimise disruption to the city so businesses can continue to operate as normal."

Demolition work will be substantially completed by tomorrow requiring lane closures only on Suffolk Street.

The 50-storey Arena Central tower block for offices and luxury flats is to be built on the site of the former ATV television studios in Broad Street.