End of an era as last of Longbridge factories to go
THE last remnants of Birmingham’s proud Longbridge car plant are to be demolished.
MG cars were still being put together in the so-called CAB buildings by Chinese automotive giant SAIC Motor Corporation up until September 2016.
But the MG 3 supermini was the last to roll off the line after SAIC announced all car production had ceased. It marked the end of an era dating back to 1905. Two giant buildings at the former MG Rover plant – known as CAB A and CAB B – are now being levelled.
Site owner St Modwen has appointed specialist demolition contractor Squibb Group to carry out the 40-week programme.
But it will not all be consigned to history. A number of fixtures, such as lighting, have been rescued and will be incorporated in future development in the area. St Modwen is also planning to repurpose the former MG Rover International Headquarters and a section of CAB A.
It is a major milestone in the regeneration of Longbridge which, to date, has seen the creation of more than 3,000 new jobs.
The area is unrecognisable from the glory days of motor manufacture. The site has made way for more than 1,100 homes, with another 400 under construction, and more than a million square feet of commercial floor space, including the £70 million town centre.
There is also the 60,000 sq ft Longbridge Technology Park, the £66 million Bournville College and the threeacre Austin Park, including the daylighting of the River Rea.
Plans for the next phases of regeneration at Longbridge will be announced later this year.