These routes are not the most direct, in some cases but they are the easiest to navigate along if you are unfamiliar with Birmingham. As with any city centre a basic knowledge of the inner ring road is useful. THE BIRMINGHAM INNER RING ROAD IS THE A4450.

It is very easy to get lost at roundabouts in the city. It is far easier to go around a roundabout again than to take the wrong turn and find yourself lost!

NORTON      BRACEBRIDGE STREET                ASTON.

Approximately half of the original old works still remains. The despatch area, with its original entrance in Aston Brook Street, has been reduced to ground level but the original deck still survives. The assembly area, stores, offices and experimental department survives and is occupied by T.A.Savery, Hydraulic Engineers who where located in Bracebridge Street before Norton! They merely moved next door when Norton closed in 1963. Bracebridge Street was where the office entrances were, as well as the entrance to the experimental shop, now behind roller doors. The workers entrance was in Aston Brook Street. Opposite Norton in Aston Brook Street was the parent factory of R.T. Shelley. Further down Aston Brook Street was the large Sun motorcycle and cycle factory. Bracebridge Street originally connected to Aston Road North but the eastern end was truncated by the A38m and construction of the Dartmouth Circus roundabout.

FROM THE NORTH

OFF M6 AT SPAGHETTI JUNCTION (M6 JUNC 6) TAKE A38M TO BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE. TAKE 2ND LEFT EXIT SIGNED RING ROAD. THIS ROUNDABOUT IS CALLED DARTMOUTH CIRCUS, IT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. GO ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ISLAND AS IF TO COME BACK ONTO A38M. ON APPROACHING A38M APPROACH SLIP RD YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE 3 OTHER OPTIONS. TAKE FAR LEFT ROUTE SIGNED THOMAS STREET. THEN TAKE FIRST LEFT, SECOND LEFT INTO NEWTOWN ROW AND FIRST LEFT AGAIN (3) THIS IS BRACEBRIDGE STREET

FROM THE SOUTH

TAKE EITHER JUNCTION 2, 3, OR 4 FROM M42 TO CITY CENTRE. AT THE INNER RING ROAD (A4540) TURN RIGHT. ON THE INNER RING ROAD. PASS UNDER TWO RAILWAY BRIDGES. AFTER ANOTHER MILE NOTICE A LARGE MOTOR ACCESSORY SHOWROOM ON THE RIGHT WITH A VERY LARGE WALL MURALS (AB FLETCHER.) NEXT ROUNDABOUT IS DARTMOUTH CIRCUS. IT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. TAKE 3RD TURN OFF. ON APPROACHING A38M APPROACH SLIP RD YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE 3 OTHER OPTIONS. TAKE FAR LEFT ROUTE SIGNED THOMAS STREET. TAKE FIRST LEFT, SECOND LEFT INTO NEWTOWN ROW AND LEFT AGAIN (3) THIS IS BRACEBRIDGE STREET

FROM THE WEST

(M5 JUNC 3)TAKE A456 HAGLEY RD.. AT FIRST UNDERPASS THERE IS A ROUNDABOUT (FIVE WAYS) GO AROUND ROUNDABOUT TAKE 3RD TURN ON RING ROAD A4540. CONTINUE ON THE RING ROAD. PASS UNDER TWO RAILWAY BRIDGES. AFTER ANOTHER MILE NOTICE A LARGE MOTOR ACCESSORY SHOWROOM ON THE RIGHT WITH A VERY LARGE WALL MURAL (AB FLETCHER) NEXT ROUNDABOUT IS DARTMOUTH CIRCUS. IT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. TAKE 3RD TURN OFF ON ROUNDABOUT. ON APPROACHING A38M APPROACH SLIP RD YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE 3 OTHER OPTIONS. TAKE FAR LEFT ROUTE SIGNED THOMAS STREET. TAKE FIRST LEFT, SECOND LEFT INTO NEWTOWN ROW AND AND FIRST LEFT AGAIN (3) THIS IS BRACEBRIDGE STREET

FROM THE EAST

TAKE M6 TO A38M AND FOLLOW ABOVE AS FOR NORTH, OR;
TAKE JUNC 6 M42 SIGNED A45 INTO CITY CENTRE. CONTINUE ON A45. AT RING ROAD A4540 TURN RIGHT. CONTINUE ON RING ROAD. PASS UNDER TWO RAILWAY BRIDGES. AFTER ANOTHER MILE NOTICE A VERY LARGE MOTOR ACCESSORY SHOWROOM ON THE RIGHT WITH A VERY LARGE WALL MURAL (AB FLETCHER) NEXT ROUNDABOUT IS DARTMOUTH CIRCUS. IT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. TAKE 3RD TURN OFF. ON APPROACHING A38M APPROACH SLIP RD YOU WILL SEE THERE ARE 3 OTHER OPTIONS. TAKE FAR LEFT ROUTE SIGNED THOMAS STREET. TAKE FIRST LEFT, SECOND LEFT INTO NEWTOWN ROW AND FIRST LEFT AGAIN (3) THIS IS BRACEBRIDGE STREET

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B.S.A.                ARMOURY ROAD            SMALL HEATH

A small part of this once massive factory remains, in very poor condition. An adjacent small brick building still stands and is  occupied by BSA Guns Ltd. This is were sidecars were produced. Very little remains of the original site.

FROM THE NORTH

OFF M6 AT SPAGHETTI JUNCTION (M6 JUNC 6) TAKE A38M TO BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE TAKE 2ND LEFT EXIT SIGNED RING ROAD.
TURN LEFT AT DARTMOUTH CIRCUS ROUNDABOUT (THIS ROUNDABOUT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT) ONTO THE RING ROAD A4540. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON THIS ROAD OVER 3 ISLANDS. AT THE 4TH ISLAND. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON A45 COVENTRY RD. AT NEXT ROUNDABOUT (POETS CORNER) TURN RIGHT, THEN IMMEDIATE FIRST LEFT INTO ARMOURY RD..

FROM THE SOUTH

TAKE EITHER JUNCTION 2, 3, OR 4 FROM M42 TO CITY CENTRE. AT THE INNER RING ROAD (A4540) TURN RIGHT. CONTINUE ON THE INNER RING. AT ROUNDABOUT WITH RAILWAY BRIDGE ON LEFT SIDE TAKE 4TH TURN RT ONTO COVENTRY RD A45. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON A45 COVENTRY RD. AT NEXT ROUNDABOUT (POETS CORNER) TURN RIGHT, THEN IMMEDIATE
FIRST LEFT INTO ARMOURY RD

FROM THE WEST

(M5 JUNC 3) A456 HAGLEY ROAD TAKE A456 HAGLEY RD.. AT FIRST UNDERPASS THERE IS A ROUNDABOUT (FIVE WAYS) GO AROUND ROUNDABOUT TAKE 3RD TURN ON RING ROAD A4540. CONTINUE ON THE INNER RING. AT ROUNDABOUT WITH RAILWAY BRIDGE ON LEFT SIDE TAKE 4TH TURN RT ONTO COVENTRY RD A45. CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON A45 COVENTRY RD. AT NEXT ROUNDABOUT (POETS CORNER) TURN RIGHT, THEN IMMEDIATE FIRST LEFT INTO ARMOURY RD

FROM THE EAST

FROM M42 JUNC 6 AFTER UNDERPASS CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON A45 COVENTRY RD. AT SECOND ROUNDABOUT (POETS CORNER) PAST UNDERPASS TURN LEFT THEN IMMEDIATE FIRST LEFT INTO ARMOURY RD..

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ARIEL                    DALE ROAD\GRANGE ROAD              SELLY OAK

Most of the factory complex was demolished around 2000 to make way for halls of residence for Birmingham University, however there is still part of the original Ariel building being used.

FROM THE NORTH & EAST

OFF M6 AT SPAGHETTI JUNCTION TAKE A38M TO BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE STAY IN STRAIGHT AHEAD LANE. AT END OF A38M GO OVER FLYOVER. GO TROUGH ALL THE TUNNELS, YOU ARE STILL ON A38. THEN CONTINUE DOWN INTO UNDERPASS. CONTINUE ALONG BRISTOL RD A38 UNTIL YOU SEE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY ON THE RIGHT (Elaborate towered building visible). AFTER DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ENDS AND WITHIN ONE MILE TURN RIGHT INTO GRANGE RD.

FROM THE SOUTH
JOIN BRISTOL RD A38 GO THROUGH SELLY OAK AFTER PASSING UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE AT SELLY OAK STATION WITHIN QUARTER MILE TURN LEFT INTO DALE RD (RUNS INTO GRANGE RD)

FROM THE WEST
JUNC 4 M5 TAKE A38 TOWARDS CITY CENTRE CONTINUE TO SELLY OAK AFTER PASSING UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE AT SELLY OAK STATION WITHIN QUARTER MILE TURN LEFT INTO DALE RD RUNS INTO GRANGE RD.

FROM THE EAST
TAKE JUNC 6 M42 A45 INTO CITY CENTRE. ON A45 AFTER PASSING UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE TURN FIRST LEFT ONTO INNER RING ROAD A4540 AT ISLAND CONTINUE ON INNER RING ROAD. AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS WITH MACDONALD'S ON FAR LEFT SIDE TURN LEFT ONTO A38 BRISTOL RD. CONTINUE ALONG BRISTOL RD A38 UNTIL YOU SEE BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY ON THE RIGHT (Elaborate towered building visible). AFTER DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ENDS AND WITHIN ONE MILE TURN RIGHT INTO GRANGE RD.

ARIEL SPECIAL NOTES.
THE ARIEL FACTORY IS VERY CLOSE TO BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY. IT IS IN THE CRESCENT ALONGSIDE THE MAIN BRISTOL RD (A38). ONE END OF THE CRESCENT IS DALE RD., THE OTHER GRANGE RD.

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VELOCETTE            YORK ROAD            HALL GREEN.

The factory has been completely demolished, apart from the former canteen and the site is occupied by Lucas Industries.

FROM THE NORTH

OFF M6 AT SPAGHETTI JUNCTION (M6 JUNC 6) TAKE A38M TO BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE TAKE 2ND LEFT EXIT SIGNED RING ROAD.
TURN LEFT AT DARTMOUTH CIRCUS ROUNDABOUT (THIS ROUNDABOUT HAS A MASSIVE PUMPING ENGINE EXHIBITED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT) ONTO THE RING ROAD A4540. CONTINUE ON RING ROAD TILL ROUNDABOUT SIGNED A41 AND (A34) STRATFORD ROAD, TURN LEFT, THEN CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON THIS ROAD PAST VALE ONSLOWS FOR ONE MILE. DO NOT FORK LEFT ON A41 CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON STRATFORD ROAD BECOMES A34 STRAIGHT ON THROUGH SPARKHILL LOOK FOR COLLEGE ARMS PUBLIC HOUSE ON LEFT. IGNORE NEXT LEFT HILLMOUNT CLOSE. TAKE NEXT LEFT INTO YORK RD. NOTE THIS ROAD ALSO FORMS THE JUNCTION WITH REDDINGS LANE, ENSURE YOU ARE AT 90 DEGREES TO STRATFORD ROAD IN YORK ROAD. NOTE VELOCETTE IS AT THE FAR END OF YORK RD OVER CROSS ROADS

FROM THE SOUTH & EAST

OFF M42 AT JUNC 4 A34, CONTINUE TO CITY CENTRE PAST SHIRLEY INTO HALL GREEN AFTER HALL GREEN RAILWAY STATION ON RIGHT, TAKE 3RD RIGHT INTO YORK RD (NOTE YORK ROAD IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN APPROACHING FROM THIS DIRECTION. BE READY TO TURN RIGHT WHERE PARADE OF SHOPS ENDS) CONTINUE ALONG YORK RD.. VELOCETTE IS AT THE FAR END OF YORK RD. OVER CROSS ROADS

FROM THE WEST

EITHER AS THE SOUTH AND EAST OR TAKE A456 HAGLEY RD AT FIRST UNDERPASS THERE IS A ROUNDABOUT (FIVE WAYS) GO AROUND ROUNDABOUT TAKE 3RD TURN ON RING ROAD A4540. CONTINUE ON RING ROAD TILL ROUNDABOUT SIGNED A41 AND (A34) STRATFORD ROAD, TURN RIGHT, THEN CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON THIS ROAD PAST VALE ONSLOWS FOR ONE MILE. DO NOT FORK LEFT ON A41 CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON STRATFORD ROAD BECOMES A34 STRAIGHT ON THROUGH SPARKHILL LOOK FOR COLLEGE ARMS PUBLIC HOUSE ON LEFT. IGNORE NEXT LEFT HILLMOUNT CLOSE. TAKE NEXT LEFT INTO YORK RD. NOTE THIS ROAD ALSO FORMS THE JUNCTION WITH REDDINGS LANE, ENSURE YOU ARE AT 90 DEGREES TO STRATFORD ROAD IN YORK ROAD. NOTE VELOCETTE IS AT THE FAR END OF YORK RD OVER CROSS ROADS.

York Road, Click Here for a Map

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