During the next few weeks, Ozzy the Bull, who was the star of the last year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Birmingham, is returning to the city for a permanent place in New Street station.

While Ozzy is being relocated, some huge hoardings have been erected, behind which a specialist team of designers and engineers will painstakingly rebuild him over the coming days and weeks.

While this is taking place, there will be no public access to part of the concourse, but staff will be available to help guide passengers around the station.

Although rebuilding Ozzy will not affect the running of trains, there will be less space on that part of the concourse, so people should allow extra time to get to their platform.

After Ozzy’s starring role in last year’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. he was destined to be scrapped but has been saved for the city through a joint project between Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Ozzy’s rebuilding will be in time for the official unveiling towards the end of July to mark the first anniversary of last year’s games, which coincides with a cultural festival organised by the city council between 28th July and 6th August. His official unveiling will come after all construction and testing of his new mechanisms are complete.

Further details about Birmingham Festival 2023is online at https://www.birminghamfestival23.co.uk
To make Ozzy suitable for permanent indoor display it underwent a major redesign by special effects company Artem, its original creator. The name Ozzy is from the heavy-metal legend and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who’s originally from Birmingham was the overwhelming choice of a public vote for a name.

Updates on Ozzy’s progress is on Twitter @NetworkRailBHM.

Steven Ireland, Network Rail Central route head of customer service, said: “Exciting times are ahead at New Street as Ozzy arrives on his one-way ticket to Birmingham New Street this week. At over 10 metres tall there’s no door big enough for him to come in one piece – so instead he’s been turned into a giant jigsaw puzzle and will be built behind the hoardings now in place on the concourse.

“We thank people for their patience while we’ve needed to reserve the spot for our VIB (Very Important Bull). While we’re going to try to keep as much of him under wraps as possible – how he takes shape will be quite hard to miss over the coming weeks!”