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Elliott Brown Transport
29 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street

For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.

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Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street





For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.


Yes it was disappointing that Birmingham didn't win the rights this time to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, that honour went to Liverpool. You might remember that 25 years ago, Birmingham was the host for the Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom - Birmingham 1998, at the National Indoor Arena.

Had Birmingham won the right to host it in 2023, it would have gone to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, but it wasn't to be.

 

In May 2023, ahead of Eurovison in Liverpool, London Northwestern Railway (the brand name for West Midlands Trains between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street), unveiled a special yellow livery on 350104.

The branding has BBC, Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine and United by Music all over the four carriage set.

 

I was waiting at platform 2 at Wolverhampton Station, after my visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery (on the August Bank Holiday Monday), as the Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street train arrived in Liverpool livery! As well as the Eurovision 2023 train, the one behind had Liverpool John Lennon Airport on it (I sat in a carriage on that one at the back).

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Wolverhampton%20Station%2028082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

After waiting in a tunnel waiting for a platform, at a signal (I was still in the Liverpool John Lennon Airport train), the train headed to platform 5 at Birmingham New Street Station. I headed down the platform for some more views at the A end of the platform. I was unable to get a photo of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport livery on the other train (which I had got off). As was so many passengers getting off with the luggage.

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eurovision Liverpool 2023" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EL23%20Bham%20NSS%2028082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
28 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring

I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.

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Young Advocates Stage part of Birmingham Weekender seen at the Bullring





I didn't have time on Sunday 27th August 2023 to stick around for the Birmingham Weekender dances, but had a bit of time to pop up to the Costa at Next at the Bullring. Saw the Young Advocates Stage group waiting behind the stage in Rotunda Square, before noon. Interesting looking costumes.


Birmingham Weekender returned again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 26th and 27th August 2023.

I almost thought I'd miss seeing it, as was unable to come up on Saturday, but had free time on Sunday morning. And I got to Rotunda Square to see a group in interesting looking costumes, and popped up to Costa Coffee in Next for some views over coffee.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Young Advocates Stage are young ladies aged between 14 and 22, and they had these green leaf outfits on.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Best views from Costa at Next above.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Costa, I spotted some in zebra and deer costumes.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

They were waiting outside Nationwide and Sunglass Hut.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Weekender" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ACE%20Bham%20Wkender%20Bullring%2027082023%20(12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
27 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48

While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.

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King Kong at Nortons Digbeth by Gent 48





While the King Kong that was formerly at 'King Kong Park' in 2022 is now gone, there is another King Kong to see. Remember 'Forward in Unity' at Nortons Digbeth for Art 4 Charity? Well Gent 48 has come back and replaced it with a mural of King Kong. Also images of the BT Tower and Rotunda. Seen from Meriden Street.


I noticed that the 'Forward in Unity' mural, painted by Gent 48 back in the summer 2020, during the pandemic had been painted over. So I travelled to Digbeth during the August Bank Holiday Weekend 2023 to see it up close.

The location as before is at Nortons Digbeth.

 

The wall now reads I ♥ BRUM, GUINNESS PLEASE BAB! also My My GUINNESS

A giant King Kong, the same one as the recration that was at King Kong Park last year from July to about October 2022.

The Rotunda resembles the way it was from the mid 1960s until before it was refurbished in the 2000s.

The top of the BT Tower has some satellite dishes, all of which are now removed from the top of it.

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

King Kong can be seen from passing buses on the Digbeth High Street if looking up Meriden Street (near the Eastside Metro extension).

dndimg alt="King Kong" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KK%20Nortons%20Digbeth%2027082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
26 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Digbeth street art on Fazeley Street from the High Vis Street Culture Festival in 2023

The 2023 High Vis Street Culture Festival was held in Digbeth around Fazeley Street during the weekend of the 12th and 13th August. Although after those dates, other artists such as Annatomix added pieces a few weeks after the event. There is the street art house at 82 Fazeley Street, and the buildings behind towards New Canal Street. This was the 50th Hip Hop anniversary.

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Digbeth street art on Fazeley Street from the High Vis Street Culture Festival in 2023





The 2023 High Vis Street Culture Festival was held in Digbeth around Fazeley Street during the weekend of the 12th and 13th August. Although after those dates, other artists such as Annatomix added pieces a few weeks after the event. There is the street art house at 82 Fazeley Street, and the buildings behind towards New Canal Street. This was the 50th Hip Hop anniversary.


High Vis Street Culture Festival during the weekend of the 12th and 13th August 2023 celebrated the 50th annivesary of Hip Hop.

Here are some the great street art found in Digbeth on the 15th and 22nd August 2023.

 

Don't Sleep by Poser on Floodgate Street, Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Poser%20HVF%20Floodgate%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In the Ether by Rude Brown Dude on Little Ann Street, Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RBD%20Little%20Ann%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A starfield with a planet on Bordesley Street in Digbeth

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Bordesley%20St%2015082023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The street art house at 82 Fazeley Street, corner of Andover Street, had been completely repainted, for the first time since 2015.

This is now called The Printmaker's Arms according to the High Vis Street Culture Festival.

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/50%20Hip%20Hop%20HVF%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

About a week later the Andover Street side of The Printmaker's Arms was looking finished.  You could even see it from the Digbeth Branch Canal!

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Graf%20House%20Digbeth%2022082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="82 Fazeley Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Graf%20House%20Digbeth%2022082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Most of the street art was to be seen on Fazeley Street in Digbeth.

The main piece was the Tempo 33 face that he normally paints all over Birmingham.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A week later, Annatomix had added some art.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Annatomix crab.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Woman by Crysista Sim Simma.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A week later, the space had been filled below NFAZ and High Vis 50 years of Hip-Hop! Annatomix to the right.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Container with eyes and rep lips with lipstick?

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Caravan painted by Scotford Wilds.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Print Makers. The caravan from the week before had now moved.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A cartoon cat with a mask on by Pojek.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

First look at Miscfit on the shutter.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Miscfit again, one week later.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

On the shutters of William Marston Ltd on Fazeley Street was a ghost with a torch.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the William Marston Ltd building on Fazeley Street as a green headed figure with purple top by VCT.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Purple grapes and more art on William Marston Ltd, corner of Fazeley Street and New Canal Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Purple grapes on William Marston Ltd again a week later, this time from New Bartholomew Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HVF%20Digbeth%20Fazeley%20St%2022082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rude Brown Dude on the railway viaduct between New Canal Street and New Bartholomew Street. HS2 has now fenced off the road towards Curzon Street.

dndimg alt="High Vis Festival" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hi%20Viz%20Fest%20Fazeley%20St%2015082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography courtesy Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Rivers, lakes & canals
24 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The changing face of the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside

There is major changes in the area around the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside, Birmingham. Between the Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance and the Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance. Birmingham City University built there Eastside campus nearby during the 2010s. Now HS2 is underway and Glasswater Locks too.

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The changing face of the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside





There is major changes in the area around the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside, Birmingham. Between the Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance and the Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance. Birmingham City University built there Eastside campus nearby during the 2010s. Now HS2 is underway and Glasswater Locks too.


Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance, Ashted Lock's 2 and 3

The February 2011 view from Belmont Row. There was bulrushes growing next to Ashted Lock no  3. The land towards Lawley Middleway, had probably had demolition on it during the 2000s. Nothing would happen there until 2023!

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%20(Feb%202011)%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By March 2018, on the section towards the Belmont Row Bridge, near Ashted Locks 2 and 3, you could see the completed Birmingham City University buildings, University Locks, Curzon B, and the Curzon Building. The Lock Keepers Cottage was also restored. The towpath entrance / exit to Belmont Row was still open from this side, but still quite narrow. Wide enough for horses and people.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Belmont%20Row%20(Mar%202018)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By September 2019, half of the brick wall on the right had been demolished, with fencing up. Meanwhile, it was before Belmont Row Works got restored, and you could also see the Unite the Union / Eastside Rooms building (later completed in 2020).

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

As of August 2023, Glasswater Locks is under construction between Jennens Road, Lawley Middleway and Penn Street, with the Digbeth Branch Canal on one side. The towpath entrance from the Belmont Row Bridge is closed.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%2022082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Belmont Row Bridge, Ashted Lock's 4 and 5 to Curzon Street Bridge

The view from the Belmont Row Bridge in February 2011. You could clearly see the pool of water to the right of Ashted Lock's 4 and 5. Work on the Curzon Building wouldn't begin to the right until about 2013, two years later. Curzon Street was still visible ahead.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%20(Feb%202011)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The new steps from the Digbeth Branch Canal to Belmont Row and University Locks of Birmingham City University was open by September 2019.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There is a new entrance to the Digbeth Branch Canal from Belmont Row. To the left is student accommodation at University Locks (built 2015-16). To the right is the Curzon Building (built 2013-15), along with Curzon B (built 2016-18), all part of Birmingham City University. Seen during August 2023.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%2022082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Curzon Street Bridge, Ashted Bottom Lock to Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance

This was what the Digbeth Branch Canal looked like between Curzon Street and the Curzon Street Tunnel in February 2011, long before HS2. There used to be a modern towpath exit up the the road near the railway, above the tunnel, this was open as late as 2018.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Curzon%20St%20Tunnel%20(Feb%202011)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There used to be a circular area with benches, close to Curzon Street, as seen below in April 2017. It could have been used to move horses around in a circle with their rope attached to the narrowboat. Also the towpath exit used to lead to the road above the Curzon Street Tunnel. HS2 had closed this off by 2019 or 2020.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Curzon%20St%20(Apr%202017)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A now impossible shot from September 2018, I went up the towpath to the land above the Curzon Street Tunnel to look at the Birmingham City University buildings beyond Curzon Street. Access up here was still open into 2019, before HS2 eventually hoarded if off. Wasn't much up there, with land fenced off. This was before HS2 demolished the Curzon Gate student accommodation, in the way of the line in 2019.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Curzon%20St%20(Sep%202018)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By September 2019, the land above the Curzon Street Tunnel had been hoarded off by HS2, although the towpath ramp was still open, it didn't lead anywhere any more, other than above the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

As of August 2023, Annatomix is working on finishing her mural for HS2 on the left, not far from the Ashted Bottom Lock. No longer access to the towpath exit above the tunnel now. But the towpath through the tunnel towards Fazeley Street is still open.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DGCE%2022082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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