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Birmingham Road

The Birmingham Road from Scott Arms to Walsall is the main A34 Birmingham to Walsall Road. 

The road from Walsall to Birmingham occurs from the early 14th century and was probably in use by the mid 13th century. Originally the road went from Birmingham, through Hockley, Handsworth Wood and Hamstead to Scott Arms along what is now the Old Walsall Road. The stretch to Great Barr was turnpiked from 1748 to 1772 and the stretch to Hamstead was turnpiked in 1788. The  'new' Walsall Road through Perry Barr was turnpiked to meet this road in 1831.

The road to Walsall was until the late 18th century known as Peakhouse Lane. It followed a winding course along the present Jesson Road and through Five Ways along Park Hall and Lonsdale Roads, but it was straightened to its present course apparently c. 1788.

The name of Peak House still exists in a modern side road, Peak House Road and Peak House Farm which still exists (although there is pending redevelopment of the site).

From the traffic junction at Scott Arms is a new development of an ALDI supermarket which was constructed on the site of a large car showroom. Next is the telephone exchange and shops. Opposite was the site of the Beacon Cinema, and Great Barr Library.

The churches of Holy Name and Great Barr Methodist are on opposite sides of the road.

The road then rises to the M6 interchange, and crosses the motorway. Here is the listed Pool House building and the Moat House Hotel. Wilderness lane leads off to Dartmouth High School and Chapel Lane leads to St.Margarets church.

After St Margarets School there are houses and a local supermarket, which was until 2005 a Post Office. A small group of shops is located by Peak House Road and the Victorian Peak House Farm

Opposite this is a relatively new development of houses where pre-fabricated houses used to stand. At the Walsall border we have one of the lodges for Great Barr Hall, and Merrions Wood. Opposite are sports grounds for Aston University and the West Bromwich Albion training ground.

Further information on these aspects can be found by selecting from the menus.

 
A row of prefabricated houses ("prefabs") which were mass-produced, factory style,
as a temporary solution to the shortage of housing after WWII. They were so well
regarded by their inhabitants that they lasted well beyond their planned life.

Prefab buildings
Photo courtesy of Keith Berry

Copyright 2020 Great Barr Past and Present, Anthony Lewis

Administrator