£500m TO TRANSFORM BIRMINGHAM N. S. PASSENGER FACILITIES

PLANS to transform Birmingham New Street have been unveiled. The “Birmingham Gateway” scheme would see £500 million of public and private investment in the complete redesign and redevelopment of the station and surrounding area.

The new plans are the product of 18 months of detailed analysis by a study group including senior representatives from Network Rail; Birmingham City Council; Advantage West Midlands; Centro; and the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority (WMPTA).

The analysis shows that Birmingham Gateway is good value for money, and meets transportation and regeneration objectives, says Network Rail.

Over the next year the Birmingham Gateway partners will be working on funding arrangements and planning processes to get the scheme moving. Work on the project could start as early as 2008.

Network Rail said the plans for the station include:

• More space, greatly increasing passenger capacity and relieving congestion
• “World class” passenger facilities:
- Brighter, cleaner and clearer platforms
- Better access to platforms facilitated by 42 new escalators and 14 new lifts
- A new, enlarged concourse three and a half times bigger than the current space
- A hi-tech transparent roof
- Transformation of the concourse level into a giant atrium, flooding the station with natural light
- Comfortable, spacious and modern waiting lounges
- World class customer information systems, improving communications with passengers
• A new contemporary station exterior, in keeping with a modern city centre
• Two new open public spaces: a piazza on the south side of the station and a public square opposite the Bullring
• New pedestrian links across the city centre with direct access and interchange with the planned Metro stop in Stephenson Street

Robin Gisby, Network Rail’s Director, Operations and Customer Services said: “Birmingham New Street station handles 35 million passengers every year. The Gateway Project would transform the station, increasing capacity and significantly easing passenger congestion. It would provide passengers with world class facilities, enabling New Street to accommodate the growth of the railway for generations to come. It will be a great gateway to a great city.”

Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council added: “Birmingham Gateway is the product of a lot of hard work and analysis by a strong partnership of dedicated professionals. As well as being a catalyst for economic development at the heart of our city, this scheme is good value for money and would deliver significant wider regeneration potential for the region.”

Nick Paul, Chairman of Advantage West Midlands said: “This scheme would deliver a world class gateway to the region, acting as a catalyst for regeneration and redevelopment in the hinterland. The analysis shows that Birmingham Gateway would mean better access to jobs and training for local people, and an increase in the number of business travellers and visitors seeking to invest or spend in the region.”

Councillor Gary Clarke, Chairman of WMPTA concluded: “With one in five people arriving at peak times into Birmingham by train, redeveloping New Street station is a top priority for WMPTA and Centro. We're fully backing these plans to give the city and region the gateway station it needs and deserves.”

SOURCE RAILNEWS