Life in parts of Birmingham has taken a dramatic turn for residents near the new HS2 bridge.
The Bellingham Bridge, set to be one of the tallest structures on the HS2 line, is already looming over homes and streets, making locals feel like they’re living in a construction zone.
Standing at 150 meters, the bridge has been likened to a “metal Godzilla” by those forced to navigate life in its shadow.
Daily Disruptions and Frustrations
Residents say the bridge has turned their daily routines into a constant struggle.
Julian Paul, 39, described the situation as a “daily hell,” adding that the massive structure blocks sunlight and makes it feel like they are permanently on a building site.
Raheema, 25, explained that the chaos extends beyond visual disruption: parking has become impossible with construction workers and nearby students occupying spaces, and traffic has worsened dramatically, turning a normally 10-minute drive into a two-hour ordeal during the holiday season.
“It’s embarrassing to tell people where I live,” Raheema said.
“Even my social media photos need editing just to hide the mess outside.”
A Bridge That Divides Opinions
While residents vent their frustrations, HS2 officials paint a very different picture.
They insist that the Bellingham Bridge—also called the Curzon 2 bridge—will become an “icon of Birmingham’s skyline” and a tribute to the city’s industrial heritage.
Nicholas Robertshaw, design project director at Mott MacDonald SYSTRA, highlighted the bridge’s striking design, including a 25-meter-high curved truss, as a defining feature of the city’s approach to the new Curzon Street Station.
Yet, for some locals, the bridge is simply overwhelming.
One unnamed resident joked that it’s “like having the Forth Bridge plonked in your back garden,” and expressed dismay that it’s named after a football star from a rival team.
Construction Feats and Future Plans
Construction of the bridge began in autumn 2023, with the 150-meter deck being assembled atop the adjacent Curzon 1 viaduct before being slid into position.
The enormous structure, weighing over 4,000 tonnes and consisting of 130 separate parts, is expected to be completed with a light installation called Out Of The Blue by artist Liz West.
HS2 Ltd emphasizes that the project is already creating economic opportunities, projecting £10 billion in benefits for the West Midlands over the next decade and roughly 30,000 jobs.
They also note efforts to minimize disruption through modern noise barriers and construction methods built to higher standards than existing rail lines.
Mixed Feelings Across the City
Despite the economic promises, long-time residents remain skeptical.
Parvaiz Rehman, a Birmingham resident for 30 years, calls HS2 a “total waste of time and money,” criticizing the bridge as a visual eyesore.
Office worker James Williams, who has observed the transformation near Curzon Street over the past decade, compares the upheaval to the Eurostar construction he witnessed in Kent, warning that the disruption may be far from over.
As Birmingham adjusts to this towering addition, it’s clear that opinions are split between those who see a symbol of progress and those who simply see an imposing structure changing their everyday lives.
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