‘Wheels’ raceway set to be sold for regeneration
End of the road for much-loved motorsports leisure facility
ABIRMINGHAM go-carting and bike track which has given pleasure to generations of young Brummies is to be sold for regeneration by the council.
Birmingham Wheels, in Bordesley Green was renowned for hosting motorsports alongside speed skating events.
But the council regained control of the site following “non-payment of rent and forfeiture of the lease” by the previous leaseholder.
A temporary lease was then granted to former occupiers which expired at the end of October and the council has since taken possession.
A number of unsolicited offers for the land have been handed to the council, including a major employer looking for a new site.
The council also hopes to use part of a levelling up fund bid of £19 million to boost the Bordesley park area. Part of that money has already been used to treat Japanese knotweed on site.
The council claims the regeneration of the land will create 1,530 jobs for east Birmingham, one of the most deprived areas in the city.
A quarter of people there are ‘actively unemployed’, according to in cabinet documents. But many users have been angered by the loss of the important leisyre facility.
Conservative councillor Ewan Mackey queried why the site was closed down, and wants a similar venue to be recreated elsewhere.
He said: “I’m sorry to see the loss of the Wheels site. It was a local community facility that enabled residents to safely take part in motorsports activity. It’s very important. So I do hope to see some sort of setup is back up soon.
“They occupiers were quite happily paying rent. And then a large increase in demand came through, and then they couldn’t make it.”
But councillor Ward said the council’s actions in acquiring the site were “correct and reasonable.”
He said: “This was subject to legal action tested out in a court of law. It has been proven that the actions by the council were correct and reasonable.
“The council did enter into a temporary contract with one of the former occupiers. This is in spite of the fact that rent had not been paid in order to allow the continued operation of motorsports on this site for the period, up to October of 2021.
“So I think the council has done as much as it could do on this site to accommodate the sporting uses.”
He added: “This is a key opportunity for industrial and logistics development, very close to the city centre.
“The Birmingham development plan recognises that this is one of the most important employment areas within the UK.
“Strengthening this position and ensuring a successful and prosperous economy, will require a provision for a wide range of opportunities for economic development, and job-creating activity.
“It’s part of 10 key growth opportunities within the Birmingham development plan, and the east Birmingham inclusive growth strategy sets out the strategy for a comprehensive multi-agency approach. It’s focused on east Birmingham and seeks to ensure the benefits of growth are shared more.”