Wheel of Birmingham
The Wheel of Birmingham or Birmingham Wheel was a series of transportable Ferris wheel installations at Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. These have been landmarks in central Birmingham, visible from many parts of the City. The first opened on 6 November 2003,[1] and its replacement opened on 21 October 2004,[2] both being 60 metres (197 ft) tall.
A third wheel, the Birmingham Mail Wheel, operated from 18 January 2010 until 22 February 2010, and was also 60 m tall.[3]
History
The first wheel, the Roue de Paris, had originally operated in Paris. When the Birmingham installation opened to the public on Thursday 6 November 2003, the commentary provided was the original French version describing the sights of Paris.[4][unreliable source?]
The following year, Roue de Paris moved to Exchange Square, Manchester, and a new wheel was erected at the Birmingham site.
This second wheel was operated by World Tourist Attractions and had commentary by 96.4 BRMB DJ Phil Upton.[citation needed] It had sealed carriages with air conditioning and heating, and a premium "VIP" car.[citation needed]
On 5 September 2006, the second wheel closed after it was sold to an Australian company; it was then dismantled and transported to Australia.[5]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ The Birmingham Wheel in Centenary Square
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Photographs
These views are of the third wheel, opened in November 2009. Views from a distance show how the wheel is part of the Birmingham panorama.
-
Birmingham Wheel viewed from Hall of Memory
-
Birmingham Wheel 2009 01.jpg
Birmingham Wheel night view
-
Birmingham Wheel 2009 02.jpg
Birmingham Wheel night view
-
Birmingham Wheel 2009 03.jpg
Inside the wheel structure
-
Birmingham Wheel 2009 05.jpg
The Birmingham Wheel from Cambrian Wharf
-
Birmingham Wheel 2009 04.jpg
The Birmingham Wheel from Lozells
-
Birmingham from north 01.jpg
The Birmingham Wheel from Barr Beacon
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
