DIGBETH DIVERSIONS
The second week in November 2007 was significant for the National Express Group in the Midlands. On Sunday 11 November it surrendered the Midland Mainline and Central Trains rail franchises and then on Monday 12 November National Express service coaches used Digbeth Coach Station for the last time. As mentioned in 'Omnibus' no.182, temporary facilities on the opposite side of Digbeth will be used until 2009 while the original site is redeveloped. The coach shed is already being demolished, though Spencer House will be substantially refurbished rather than replaced.
On Saturday 17 November, there was a public event at Digbeth to formally celebrate its closure and a number of preserved vehicles attended, accompanied by examples of the latest National Express coaches. The Museum's contribution was the BMMO S15 and the ex-Midland Red ex-North Birmingham Busways AEC Matador; unfortunately, various other Museum vehicles associated with Digbeth could not be readied at short notice. Other preserved vehicles in attendance were both BMMO C1 coaches, a BMMO S23, and three Leyland Leopards in National Express white; two with Plaxton bodies from National Travel (South West), the third with Duple body from Southdown. In addition, stalls and other entertainments were laid on for visitors.
Meanwhile, back in September, Mike Lambden, Head of Corporate Affairs for National Express had read about the opening of the Power Hall and contacted BaMMOT with the offer of a bronze memorial plaque to O.C.Power. This had been at Bearwood until those premises closed in 1973, and then transferred to the Vernon Road offices (alongside Carlyle Works). It was inherited by National Express when it first based its headquarters there. Then twenty years ago, when National Express relocated to Vicarage Road, the plaque was moved to its new reception area. However, the company now realised that the plaque had little relevance to its current workforce and thought that the Museum would provide a better home for it; an offer the Trustees gratefully accepted.
Although the plaque had no direct connection with Digbeth, the celebrations were an ideal opportunity for it to be formally handed over. BBC Midlands Today presenter Ashley Blake joined NatEx staff for the presentation.
Incidentally, for the record, the last vehicle to depart from the old Digbeth Coach Station was the Museum's S15, 5073.
Digbeth is not the only former Midland Red garage to fall prey to the bulldozer. During the same week that Digbeth closed, demolition began at Leamington, while the same fate appears to await Swadlincote.
Andrew Gardner (with notes from Phil Ireland, Dave Taylor, Malcolm Keeley & Robert Deloyde)
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
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