Saltley: Difference between revisions

Saltley is an inner-city area of Birmingham, east of the city centre. The area is currently part of the Washwood Heath ward, although formerly a feature of the Nechells ward. It also currently falls under the Ladywood constituency in the city.

History

Saltley was originally an unverified parish within the estate of the Adderley family and their descendents, who had built their original residence Saltley Hall on the site of what is now Adderley Park. As water became a key resource, the family moved their residence to Hams Hall for better access to the River Tame. When the English Civil War occurred, the Adderley's like most gentry chose the Royalist side, and paid heavy fines afterwards for choosing the wrong side.

As Birmingham developed as an industrial location, Saltley became an over spill area for workers, although still owned by the Adderley family. Lord Norton in 1855 donated land for the development of Adderley Park, as well as churches. It was Norton who over saw the then modern layout of the square set streets and well spaced houses of the late 1800s, later seen as slum development post World War Two.

Present day

Saltley is a largely business area with a high level of outlets in a densely populated area. Saltley begins at the Saltley Viaduct, marked with the Saltley Gate, a local landmark, at the entrance to Alum Rock Road and Washwood Heath Road. There are many older houses from around the turn of the 20th century still in existence around Saltley. During the 1950s and 1960s, many of these houses were bought by immigrants from the Commonwealth (mostly from [Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and Bangladesh] sub-continent) who have formed a strong ethnic community over the last half a century.

The neighbourhood is home to mainly terraced properties and some new housing projects, trade and Christian and Muslim places of worship. Situated in the area are a number of primary schools and St. Peter's College. (St Peters College is no longer used as a college but the site is used for sheltered housing, small business offices and a small playing field). Recreation includes the Wheel's Adventure Park and smaller domestic parks. The area was host to an annual parade, known as the Saltley Festival.

The future of Wheel's Adventure Park is under threat as a result of a proposed major redevelopment to construct a sports village and City of Birmingham Stadium. The proposal for the City of Birmingham Stadium has fallen through.

Places of interest

Adderley Street was the site of the 1890 discovery of the Saltley Handaxe,^[1] the first paleolithic human artefact to be found in the English Midlands.^[2]

Saltley Gate coke depot, was significant at the beginning of the National coal miners’ strikes from 1972, when mass picketing with Arthur Scargill took place at Saltley Gates - an historic battle which proved ultimately futile given the crushing defeat of the miners by the Thatcher government some 13 years later.

Transport

Saltley is served by the Adderley Park railway station on the Birmingham New street to Coventry train line and just half a mile up the road in Duddeston the Duddeston Station on the cross city line. Bus routes into the area include the 8A/8C, 14, 55, 26, 26A, and 27.

Saltley was served by Saltley railway station between 1854 and 1968.

See also

• Saltley Gate Peace Group

References

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