Traffic in Birmingham (UK) on a Friday Evening?

I need to get to Birmingham City Centre (near New Street station) on a Friday evening and will be staying until Sunday afternoon.
I have two choices (the train all the way isn't an option as I need my car on Sunday afternoon).
Option 1: Drive to the car park in Birmingham City Centre and park (Parking charges 拢35 for the weekend).
Option 2: Drive to an airport car park (Parking charges 拢8 for the weekend), get the free shuttle to the airport station and then the frequent train from there to New Street.

My girlfriend (who has driven in Birmingham a few times) is insists that the City Centre isn't too bad on a Friday evening and would go for Option 1.
However, I'm all too familiar with getting around and out of London on a Friday Evening and don't really want to go through this if I can avoid it, so I am leaning towards Option 2.

Could those in the know advise me of the traffic on Friday evenings, give their opinion and help me with this one.
Thanks!

Option 1
Driving into Birmingham on Friday - not that bad....especially this weekend due to mid-term hols the traffic has eased off.

I would park in a more cheaper parking area than the one you have gone for....depending on the area where u will be is where we can all suggest better parking for u....they are many secure parking areas for much less than 拢35!

Enjoy ur weekend whichever option u go for...
http://uk.parkatmyhouse.com/parking/B16/...

If i were you, then I'd go for option 2. The parking is obviously cheaper...and, from experience, safer....having said that, Friday afternoons aren't too bad, as many places finish early on Fridays....but I still think your better going for your second option! Have a good weekend!

Def option 2 as driving around Birmingham now is becoming more difficult as the is always road works and also they keep on pedestrianising all the roads.
You also have the pleasure of all the drunken idiots on a friday night not exactly knowing where the kerb is.
Stick with option 2.

I've drove to Birmingham a few times in rush hour. Not on a Friday, and that's the busiest day.

It's not too bad... I'd catch the train though if I was you.

Oh and if you do drive, there is a car park just off Broad Street, by the Cine World Cinema. It's cheaper then the other car Parks I've been to. Try there.

If I were you I would drive to Birmingham International Station and park there and then catch a train into New Street Station. These trains run every few minutes. Traffic in Birmingham at any time is pretty grim even if you know the one-way systems and my guess is that you don't. It is true that Friday evenings are not worse than any other evening as many offices close early on Fridays but it's still pretty grim at rush hour. But it can be done and car parking in the city centre is easily available and not too expensive. I am wondering where you will be staying while in the city. If you are staying in a city centre hotel will it not have its own car park? For example, the Ibis Hotel in Holloway Circus, close to New Street, has a free car park as does the Ibis at Bordesley Circus.

Well Definitely option 1, but not in the car park you found! 拢35?? you must be joking...there are far cheaper car parks which are just as safe, to park in any of the council car parks its only 拢2.50 per day, and the majority of hotels have free parking.

Hope you have a nice time anyway, its a great place

just get the bus