Of course the bench is metal!
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Date of visit: March 2025
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Average
Black Sabbath Bridge stretches over the canal at Brindley Place. The bridge was renamed in 2019 to honour one of the most impactful metal bands in the UK. The bridge features a steel bench etched with the faces and signatures of band members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. There's not a great deal you can say about a bench, but it's a great photo opportunity if you're in the area.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
As it's on the street, it's convenient for most access needs. The pavements nearby are in good condition, and local crossings have tactile markings. If you arrive via the canal path, there's a lift at Brindley Place. You need to press the buzzer to get a member of staff, who'll remotely unlock the lift for you. The lift is small, but it could accommodate a powerchair user and a second person. As a bench, it also offers space to have a seat. It wasn't too busy when I attended, but the Utilita Arena is close by, so the area can get a bit busy with gig goers. I say this as a return trip from another location brought me through a wall of Sabrina Carpenter fans. There are no alternative formats in use. There's a QR code on a nearby plinth, which I expect leads to the website for the bridge, but I didn't scan it on my visit.
Parking & Transport
Average
Slightly further along Broad Street, there’s a bus stop served by several routes, including the 9 Platinum, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 23 Platinum, 24 Platinum, 822, 829, X8 Platinum and X10 Platinum services. The closest tram stop is 320 metres away at the Brindley Place tram stop, also on Broad Street. On Gas Street and Berkley Street, there are some parking spaces, but I'd suggest the tram as it's very accessible, with level access from the platform.
Accessible Toilets
0There are no specific accessible toilets for this location, but there are plenty of bars nearby, and a Changing Places toilet at both the Birmingham Library and the Exchange, which are directly across the street from each other, just half a mile away.
