After the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, St Modwen have been developing Longbridge Town Centre ever since. The new Austin Park was started in 2012 and it opened in 2013. It opened on a plot of land between Bristol Road South, and the River Rea runs through it. It is near Bournville College, and ends near The Cambridge pub and Premier Inn hotel. Named after Sir Herbert Austin who's Austin Works were here from 1905 until it closed for good in 2005 as MG Rover.

 

Sir Herbert Austin

The park was named after Sir Herbert Austin (1866 - 1941), whose Austin Motor Works was established here in Longbridge to produce motor cars. During WW1 his company expanded to produce fighter aircraft. He was knighted in 1917 for his contribution to the war effort and was elected MP for Kings Norton, Birmingham in 1918, an office he held for 6 years. He was created a Baron in the 1936 New Years Honours list. He died in 1941 and is buried at Lickey Parish Church on Rose Hill, Lickey in Worcestershire.

Sign about Sir Herbert Austin in Austin Park (November 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bournville College

The college had a new main campus building at Longbridge on the corner of Longbridge Lane and Bristol Road South from 2011 to 2012. They relocated from a site further up the Bristol Road South (between Selly Oak and Northfield close to Bournville), which is now a retirement village. The college is also visible from Austin Park, and there is entrances to the park near the college. In 2020 the college merged with South & City College and is now the Longbridge Campus (or Bournville Campus).

Bournville College from Longbridge Island (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bournville College from Austin Park (November 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Longbridge Town Centre

The first phase of Longbridge Town Centre on the new High Street (starting from Longbridge Lane) included Sainsbury's, a Premier Inn hotel and a Costa Coffee. These were built and opened during 2013. The second phase included a new Marks & Spencer and the other retail units were built between 2015 and 2016.

Sainsbury's and Premier Inn from Austin Park (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Marks & Spencer and the other retail units from Austin Park (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at Austin Park

Austin Park from the main path to Longbridge Town Centre (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at Austin Park

Daffodils in the spring at Austin Park (April 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at Austin Park

Austin Park (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn at Austin Park

River Rea at Austin Park (November 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown