Commonwealth Games athletes’ village plans scrapped

Plans for an athletes’ village to house those taking part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games have been scrapped.

Organisers of the Games in Birmingham finally admitted last night that the village would not be ready in time.

Instead, athletes will be housed in university campuses in Warwick and Birmingham and at the NEC hotel.

However, the homes that were planned for Perry Barr in conjunction with government funding will still be built.

Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid said in a statement: “These are challenging times for all of us and delivering a major multi sports event during this period has meant we have needed to collaborate effectively, be pragmatic to change, and remain realistic about the challenges we face.

“We recognise that this new model is a move away from the historic norm and we are grateful for the support shown by our partners across the Commonwealth Games Associations.

“Birmingham and the West Midlands is extremely fortunate to have superb alternate facilities and we are making this decision now, with two years to go, to de-risk the project, ensure delivery for athletes and teams and secure the legacy of new housing and transport infrastructure in Perry Barr.

“This is the sensible and pragmatic thing to do for the Games, the athletes and for the people of Birmingham.”

Some 1,600 athletes are set to arrive in Birmingham when the Games begin in July 2022.