New home for Ozzy the Commonwealth Games mechanical bull met with criticism
Birmingham’s much-loved Commonwealth Games mechanical bull will return to the city this month – but its new home at New Street Station has been criticised by some rail commuters.
The ten metre-high structure, named Ozzy after a public vote, will stand in the concourse at New Street, which remains one of the busiest stations in the country.
A metal fence has been put up around where the bull will be constructed, with the unveiling to take place ahead of the first anniversary of last summer’s Commonwealth Games, which opened on July 28, 2022.
Teasing Ozzy’s homecoming, Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “Ozzy will certainly be a very large welcome into Brum. New Street’s getting ready for July, when Ozzy moooooves in!”
The raging bull will be positioned between the stairs to platforms five and six, near Pret, and just in front of the live timetables. But there are already concerns the giant structure will create jams for passengers heading to and from trains.
Hitting out at the positioning of Ozzy at New Street, rail commuter Richard Hancher said: “It’s great to see the bull back but it’s a terrible location to pick. That’s two-thirds of the concourse width taken up already and that’s not taking into account people blocking the remaining area taking selfies and pictures.
“It’s a shame we’ve lost sight that the station should be an easy-to-navigate area for paying passengers, not an Instagram attraction that makes it more difficult for people to travel.”
Jas Jandu agreed, and said: “Wouldn’t putting him back in Centenary Square not have been a better decision? The station can get really busy during peak commute times and this will just make it worse.”
Catherine Leach commented: “Love Ozzy but this will just cause more congestion at an already very busy station!”
Stuart Hunt questioned: “Isn’t he going to get in the way of commuters at peak times?”
Mark Essen simply said: “Let the concourse be the concourse.”
And Andy Eames believes Ozzy could well be moved on, and said: “Give it till just after Xmas when they realise how much Ozzy is getting in the way of the flow of people through the station and he’ll be moved – under the pretence that his place in the station was only ever temporary…”
By Local Democracy Reporter Ashley Preece
