Motorsport businesses at Nechells' Birmingham Wheels tracks protest over eviction fears

Companies believe Birmingham City Council will use land for housing without helping them find new home

Motor sport businesses at Birmingham’s famous Wheels tracks fear they could be evicted by the city council and left high and dry.

The authority, which owns the 47-acre site in Nechells, is allegedly making moves to take it over and use it for housing.

The site has been earmarked for development since it opened 28 years ago.

But motor enthusiasts now fear they may not get full value for their 98-year lease or help to find and pay for alternative locations.

As well as motor sport enthusiasts the tracks are popular with school groups.

Coun Beauchamp (Erdington), who used to run a garage business and collects vintage cars and bikes, said: "I worked tremendously hard to bring it round to the straight and level.

"It was at risk of going bankrupt, so we cut a few costs and made a few redundancies and now it makes a little bit of profit.

"There are all sorts of activities go karts, speed skating, banger racing. The roller blade track is absolutely beautiful, the British team uses it."

Coun Beauchamp said: "I am willing to stand down, but I want the council to provide some assurances first.

‘‘I have asked them to give at least five years notice so we can sort something out for the future, find a new site. Perhaps tracks could be created underneath the motorway. Otherwise we risk losing these facilities."

But a spokesman said: "Birmingham Wheels has faced financial difficulties for some time, so the council has been working on a plan that will put users of the site on a more sound legal footing.

"Given the period of transition, we have proposed that an officer with the relevant technical expertise helps manage the changes."