The highway structure on the A34 was removed so that a new road layout can be introduced, with better access to public transport and improved facilities for walking and cycling. Removal of the flyover was carried out by principal contractor Tarmac Infrastructure and subcontractor S Evans & Sons Demolition.

Birmingham City Council’s technical lead on the project Andy Everest said: “It was reassuring to see that all the work that went into the planning and preparation for the dismantling of the flyover paid off.

“The sense of light and space in the area the next morning gives an appreciation of what's to come and I think people will be pleasantly surprised when the scheme is finished,” he added.

Tarmac’s director of infrastructure Andy Brown said: “We're extremely proud that we were able to successfully and safely complete everything we set out to achieve with almost military precision, resulting in the road opening an hour and a half ahead of schedule.”

He explains that seven excavators were used to demolish the flyover, four of which were among the largest machines of their type currently in use on the UK road network. These were fitted with ‘cruncher’ attachments to crush and remove the concrete superstructure, and then ‘shear’ attachments to cut through the steel supports.

The materials were removed from site in heavy goods vehicles with over 300 loads of arisings. All of the steel and concrete removed from site, he added, is now set to be recycled.

“We’re now looking to build on this success on the next phase of the scheme, which involves lifting precast sections of a new bridge onto a redesigned Birchfield Junction within the next few weeks,” he said.

Enhancements to public transport around Perry Barr will include the arrival of a Sprint bus rapid transit route, a new bus interchange and redesign of the local railway station. New homes, community facilities and public spaces are planned in the area which is home to the Alexander athletics stadium, a key venue that will host Commonwealth Games events.

Also this week, plans to bring back a former railway station at nearby Aldridge – 11km north of Perry Barr – are being taken forward after the West Midlands Combined Authority agreed a £400,000 investment to buy a piece of land nearby.

It is hoped that 500,000 people could use services to the new station each year to connect with Birmingham New Street and Walsall.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Securing this land means we can press ahead with our plans to give Aldridge its own station for the first time in more than half a century.” The station was one of the casualties of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.

(Photograph: Birmingham City Council / Tarmac)