Wheel of Birmingham
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{{Use British English|date=September 2011}}
File:Birmingham -wheel -UK.JPG
The Wheel of Birmingham or Birmingham Wheel was a series of transportable Ferris wheel installations at Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. These have been landmarks in central Birmingham, visible from many parts of the city. The first opened on 6 November 2003,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/features/2003/11/birmingham_wheel.shtml|title=Brum's Big Wheel|publisher=BBC|date=5 November 2003|access-date=2008-09-06}} and its replacement opened on 21 October 2004,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/features/2004/10/birmingham_wheel.shtml|title=Brum's Big Wheel is back!|publisher=BBC|date=October 2004|access-date=2008-09-06}} both being {{convert|60|m|ft|0}} tall.
A third wheel, the Birmingham Mail Wheel, operated from 18 January 2010 until 22 February 2010, and was also 60 m tall.{{cite web|title=Events - Birmingham Mail Wheel|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/hpevent02|publisher=birmingham.gov.uk|access-date=2010-05-18}}
History
The first wheel, the Roue de Paris, had originally operated in Paris. When the Birmingham installation opened to the public on Thursday 6 November 2003, the commentary provided was the original French version describing the sights of Paris.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/3256720.stm|publisher=BBC News|author=|title=UK wheel offers views of Paris|date=2 December 2003|access-date=1 January 2021}}
The following year, Roue de Paris moved to Exchange Square, Manchester, and a new wheel was erected at the Birmingham site.
This second wheel was operated by World Tourist Attractions and had commentary by BRMB DJ Phil Upton.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} It had sealed carriages with air conditioning and heating, and a premium "VIP" car.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
On 5 September 2006, the second wheel closed after it was sold to an Australian company;{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5317602.stm |title=Two hours' notice as wheel closes |publisher=BBC News |date=5 September 2006 |access-date=2008-07-28}} it was then dismantled and transported to Australia.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
Gallery
Image:Hall of Memory 01.jpg|Birmingham Wheel behind the Hall of Memory
Image:Birmingham Wheel 2009 01.jpg|Birmingham Wheel night view
Image:Birmingham Wheel 2009 02.jpg|Birmingham Wheel night view
Image:Birmingham Wheel 2009 03.jpg|Inside the wheel structure
Image:Birmingham Wheel 2009 05.jpg|The Birmingham Wheel from Cambrian Wharf
Image:Birmingham Wheel 2009 04.jpg|The Birmingham Wheel from Lozells
Image:Birmingham from north 01.jpg|The Birmingham Wheel from Barr Beacon
References
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{{Ferris wheel}}
{{Coord|52|28|44.04|N|1|54|32.49|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Transportable Ferris wheels
Category:Buildings and structures in Birmingham, West Midlands