Canal Cottage 65, Belmont Row, Birmingham

The Government Office for West Midlands has now received confirmation
by the acquiring authority for the compulsory purchase order for the
cottage on the Digbeth Branch.

Those who know the area will recall the plight of the owner of this
cottage was highlighted by local radio and has also been mentioned by
the canal press.

The whole Curzon Street area is being transformed and the Belmont Row
cottage is on of the few features left that retains a link with the
past. Although no plans are currently made to remove this cottage
supporters of the present owner feel that if he is made to leave the
property the house will be open to the attention of vandals.

Meanwhile elsewhere sites are cleared nearby. Curzon Street Parcels
concentration depot has been taken down and along with it the LNWR
Hydraulic House that once powered the many waggon capstans on the
site. Curzon Street Depot was a 1960's building replacing the old
LNWR Goods Station and London & Birmingham Railway passenger station
site. Fortunateley the Curzon Street Offices/ Hotel remain although
there is issue as to how they might be occupied.

There were also an important stable block here, with immense heritage
value, but these buildings were pulled down to make way for Millenium
Point!

Ray Shill