Longbridge Colours: a series of five steel sculptural barriers under Bristol Road South, near Austin Park

From Austin Park in Longbridge, a path has been opened up under the Bristol Road South Bridge on what was originally the Halesowen railway line, and there used to be a station on the other side of the bridge. Local artist Stuart Whipps has designed five steel sculptural barriers in the archways separating the bridge from the River Rea. Based on the 1979 'Mini City' upholstery.

Starting from Austin Park in Longbridge on Saturday afternoon, 22nd January 2022. Instead of going to the exit gate on Bristol Road South,  I headed down to the footbridge over the River Rea.

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River Rea view towards Longbridge Town Centre, with South & City College Birmingham (Longbridge Campus) {formerly Bournville College} on the left.

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The River Rea under the Bristol Road South Bridge. The water looks a bit dirty under here.

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This used to be the Halesowen railway line. Heading under the Bristol Road South Bridge in Longbridge. On the left is the five sculptural panels by Stuart Whipps (born in 1979).

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Path BRS Austin Park 22012022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Information sign all about the artwork located here called Longbridge Colours (2015). Unveiled in March 2021 by local Northfield MP Gary Sambrook. There is also thoughts on the former factory from Colin Corke, Vicar of Longbridge.

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Longbridge Colours based on the upholstery of the 1979 'Mini City' made here at Longbridge. Designed and made by Stuart Whipps in 2015, but installed in 2021.

Colours used include: Vermillion Red, Ermine White, Pageant Blue, Snapdragon Yellow, Russet Brown, Demin Blue, Reynard Bronze, Java Green, Champagne Beige and Black.

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Exiting onto the other side of Bristol Road South. Approximately at the former site of the Longbridge (Halesowen railway) Station site. The building was derelict by 2010 to 2011, and was demolished by 2012 or 2013.

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The River Rea from the other side of the Bristol Road South Bridge.

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First time exiting from this path. This used to be a British Rail gate that was locked. Area overgrown. Site was cleared by 2018, but it was only opened up to pedestrians and cyclists in 2021.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Path BRS Austin Park 22012022 (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The "new" Austin Park at Longbridge Town Centre

This plot of land at Longbridge Town Centre was opened in 2013. Austin Park was where the Austin later MG Rover works used to be until 2005. There was also a former Halesowen Railway. The park is boarded by Bournville College, and the Town Centre buildings with Premier Inn and The Cambridge pub. Entrance on Bristol Road South. You can also see the River Rea here.

Austin Park

at Longbridge Town Centre

Austin Park is at Longbridge Birmingham. Located between College Street and High Street. St Modwen started the development of the new Austin Park in the winter of 2012/13. On one of my visits to Longbridge in February 2013, they were already digging up the land and preparing it. On a later visit in August 2013, the park was looking more or less complete, but it was not yet open to the public. The decking had been laid out, as well as the landscaping around the River Rea. It was only by November 2013 that I was able to have a short walk around Austin Park. Getting in from the Longbridge High Street and walking to the Bristol Road South entrance / exit. I first went to the then new Costa Coffee  (my first visit, I've been a few times in the years since then) at Longbridge Town Centre before going around the park.

The park is served by many bus routes on the Bristol Road South and Longbridge Lane, such as the 63, 45, 47 and the 49. More recently the X20, X21 and the X22 go nearby. The park is also in walking distance of Longbridge Station (which had a new station building built in 2019).

2013

First views of the almost complete new Austin Park back in August 2013. I've been travelling down to Longbridge since 2010 getting many updates of the developments here. The new decking seen from the Bristol Road South, with the River Rea in the middle.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Aug 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

To the left is Bournville College, and where College Street would eventually be. It opened there in September 2011.

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The site to the right has yet to be developed on, even 7 years on.

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But to the far left a new Marks & Spencer store would be built, as well as other retail units (as well as a car park). Also a retirement village would be built a little bit up the Lickey Road.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Aug 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Straight ahead is the new Sainsbury's on the High Street. Also built was a Premier Inn. A pub called The Cambridge, and there is also a Costa Coffee on the High Street. These all opened later in 2013.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Aug 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Between Bournville College and the park would be built a car park for the college.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Aug 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On another visit in November 2013, I was able to walk around Austin Park. After my first visit to the Costa Coffee at Longbridge Town Centre (on the High Street), I finally got to go around the new park.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A path curves around the River Rea. Trees were quite new at this point.

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The River Rea curving towards Bournville College (seen on the left).

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Below the Premier Inn at the time was a Beefeater, next to The Cambridge pub (run by Hungry Horse).

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A metal footbridge crosses over the River Rea. Bournville College on the right of this view (below).

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up look at the metal footbridge in the direction of Bournville College.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The bridge over the Bristol Road South is a reminder of the former Halesowen Railway which used to link Halesowen to Longbridge. There used to be another Longbridge Station on the other side of the bridge (it was demolished by 2013). There was also a signal box on this side of the former railway that I saw in 2010 (but demolished by 2011 or 2012.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park (Nov 2013) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A lot of new trees planted by the path in the view towards Bournville College.

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There was another footbridge at the Bristol Road South end of the park. There is now also another entrance / exit close to Bournville College.

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There is an open gate to the pavement onto Bristol Road South. Not far from the roundabout. Lickey Road to the left leads to Cofton Hacket and Cofton Park.

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2016

Just the odd photo of Austin Park in the years since it opened. This one from January 2016. A view of the River Rea towards the construction site of the Extra Care Retirement Village, in the bright sunshine. To the far left, the new Marks & Spencer had just opened, along with the other retail units (the then purpose of this particular visit).

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On another visit to Longbridge Town Centre in November 2016 I saw this sign (a reminder of the Austin / MG Rover past and it's former workers):

IT WASN'T ABOUT CARS

IT WAS ABOUT PEOPLE

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2017

On my first visit to the inside of Marks & Spencer in Longbridge during October 2017, I popped into M & S Cafe for a coffee and toastie. I sat at a table near the window. There was a balcony outside, but think it was closed at the time. Saw this view towards Austin Park.

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Also visible was the Royal Centre of Defence Medicine Accommodation, which was completed at the time. The car park here was mainly for M & S and for the new retail units to the left of here.

dndimg alt="Austin Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Austin Park MnS Cafe (Oct 2017) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

In January 2018, I returned to Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park, and while there got a zoom in of Longbridge Town Centre. Austin Park is a bit hard to see from here, but you can see Bournville College, Premier Inn and M & S from up here. Birmingham is clearly a city of trees! And beyond into Worcestershire.

dndimg alt="Longbridge Town Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Longbridge Beacon Hill (Jan 2018).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some views in April 2018 of the daffodils in Austin Park.

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These yellow flowers were growing at the time on both sides of the River Rea. Possibly Marsh Marigold if Google Lens is to be believed.

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Some more daffodils near some dry grass near one of the new trees.

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2020

Views of Longbridge Town Centre seen from the Waseley Hills Country Park near the end of June 2020. While Austin Park isn't visible from up here, you can see the buildings that surrounds it, such as the Royal Centre of Defence Medicine Accommodation, Premier Inn, Sainsbury's and M & S.

dndimg alt="Longbridge Town Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Longbridge Waseley Hills CP (June 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also got Bournville College in this next view from the Waseley Hills. So many trees up here, and beyond into Birmingham. The trees in Austin Park would have been there for around 7 years now.

dndimg alt="Longbridge Town Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Longbridge Waseley Hills CP (June 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For a similar post relating to Sir Herbert Austin, go to this post: Herbert Austin: making cars at Longbridge and the Austin Village.

If you want to check out my Cofton Park post it is here: Cofton Park in Rednal and near Longbridge.

If you want to see my views of Beacon Hill, go to this post: Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park.

I plan on doing a post soon on my recent visit to the Waseley Hills Country Park so watch this space!

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.