Nechells
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nechells | |
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  Nechells shown within the West Midlands |
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| Population | 27,969 (2001 Population Census) |
|---|---|
| - Density | 25.8 per ha |
| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Birmingham |
| Metropolitan county | West Midlands |
| Region | West Midlands |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BIRMINGHAM |
| Postcode district | B7 |
| Dialling code | 0121 |
| Police | West Midlands |
| Fire | West Midlands |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| European Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Birmingham Ladywood |
| List of places: UK • England • West Midlands | |
Nechells is an area in inner-city Birmingham, England, with a population of 27,969 (as of 2001). It is also a ward within the formal district of Ladywood. Nechells includes parts of the city centre. It is adjacent to Saltley.
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[edit] History
Nechells became a densely populated area during the 19th century, with mass development of houses and factories taking place. Mass immigration occurred from Ireland.
After World War II, further immigration occurred from parts of the Commonwealth, mostly the West Indies and the Indian Sub Continent.
By the 1950s, however, many of the homes in Nechells had been reduced to "slums" and were unfit for human habitation. People were living in homes without electricity, running water, bathrooms or indoor toilets. The Gas Works caused a continuous unpleasant smell.
The face of Nechells changed dramatically during the 1960s, with the decaying Victorian terraces being cleared and the area redeveloped with new houses and tower blocks. Some families remained in the new homes that had been built around Nechells, but there weren't enough new homes to rehouse all of the area's original residents, and as a result some families moved to new housing estates like Castle Vale and Chelmsley Wood. The new homes were certainly a big improvement on their predecessors, but if anything the Nechells area became worse.
Since the 1980s, Urban Renewal has seen many of the postwar houses and flats around Nechells demolished to make way for new low-rise homes, which are a mix of private and rented tenure.
[edit] Geography
The suburbs of Little Bromwich, Adderley Park, Duddeston and Bordesley are located within the ward.
[edit] Demographics
The 2001 Population Census found that 27,969 people lived in the ward with a population density of 3,015 people per km² compared with 3,649 people per km² for Birmingham. 62.6% (17,142) of the ward's population consists of ethnic minorities compared with 29.6% for Birmingham.
Whilst it is notable in Birmingham for being the area with the highest rate of unemployment, crime and poverty, it has been the focus of a great deal of urban regeneration by Birmingham City Council and the former Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation.
- Ethnicity
- White - 10,284 (37.42%)
- Black - 2,644 (9.65%)
- Asian - 12,700 (46.38%)
- Chinese or Other - 539 (1.97%)
- Mixed Race - 1,018 (4.60%)
[edit] Transport
There are three railway stations located within the ward. The largest is Moor Street station in Birmingham city centre. The other two are Duddeston railway station and Adderley Park railway station.
[edit] Places of interest
The ward includes the local landmarks of Millennium Point and Aston University. Nechells is also home to Star City - a vast entertainment complex that houses shops, restaurants, a 22-lane bowling centre (Tenpin, formerly Megabowl), a casino and Vue Cinema which, with forty screens, is one of the largest multiplexes in Europe.
The ward is served by the grand Bloomsbury Library on Nechells Parkway. It is also served by Nechells Play Centre and the Nechells Green Community Centre. Sports facilities are provided at the Heartlands High Community Leisure Centre and the Nechells Community Sports Centre.
Nechells Baths on Nechells Park Road is a Grade II listed building. Plans for baths to be constructed in the Nechells ward came about in 1900 when representatives from the ward pressured the council into providing public baths for the ward. However, the Birmingham Baths Committee were already committed to other projects in the city and were unable to immediately attend the matter.
In 1903, a site at the corner of Nechells Park Road and Aston Church Road was acquired and in 1908, approval was given for the construction of baths on the site. Construction commenced that year and the baths were opened June 22, 1910. Facilities provided included a large swimming bath with a spectators' gallery and suites of private baths for men and women. The baths were immediately popular among the locals.
Refurbishment work to the baths was completed in May 2007 by Welconstruct. It cost £5.5 million, with funding from Advantage West Midlands, the Heritage Lottery Fund and ERDF.[1]
[edit] Politics
The ward is served by three Labour councillors; Tahir Ali, Rashid Chauhdry and Yvonne Mosquito.[2]
Nechells has adopted a Ward Support Officer with the current holder of the title being Maz Dad.
[edit] References
- ^ Makeover is complete for Nechells Baths. Birmingham Post (2007-05-10). Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
- ^ Councillors' Advice Bureaux - Nechells Ward. Birmingham City Council. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
- Birmingham City Council: Nechells Ward
- The City of Birmingham Baths Department 1851 - 1951, J. Moth, 1951
[edit] External links
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