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Friday 26 Apr 2013

Final countdown for Birmingham New Street's half-time switchover

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Passengers using Birmingham New Street are now just two days away from seeing the first half of their new station as the Network Rail and Mace project team make final preparations for the half-time switchover on Sunday 28 April.

The switchover will see the first major changes at New Street in over 40 years and mark a major milestone in the redevelopment of the station, which started in 2010.

The first half of the new concourse and three new entrances will open to passengers, with cars using a new entrance off Hill Street. This will allow the old station and all of its existing entrances to close for redevelopment.

Chris Montgomery, Network Rail’s project director, said: “The first half of the new concourse will be bigger, brighter and better than the old station, with new escalators and lifts also providing better access. With two days to go, we’re busy making final preparations to welcome passengers into the first of their new station – then, we’ll turn our attention to rebuilding the other side. By switching off the old station and opening the first half of the new concourse next door, we can keep passengers moving through New Street while keeping the station open.”

A major information campaign has taken place over the last few months, reaching over 1 million people, to inform passengers about the changes to the station on 28 April. The final public exhibition on the old concourse runs until 7pm this Saturday. Once the new station opens an army of volunteers, Network Rail and Birmingham City Council staff will help passengers find their way to, from and around the new concourse. Network Rail is recommending passengers allow some extra time for their journey the first time they use the new concourse.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “The opening of the western concourse is a key milestone for the New Street project and gives the public a real view of how the redevelopment is progressing.

“When I visited the works at the end of February I was very impressed - the transformation of the site is giving the West Midlands the fantastic travel hub it deserves as well as opening up this part of the city centre to pedestrians.

"The regeneration potential of this £600m development is plain to see and I am pleased that Government funding is being put to good use."

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It has been a tremendous feat of engineering and logistics to keep one half of New Street station operating pretty much as normal for passengers travelling in and out of the city; and I have every confidence that we will see the same smooth running on the other side after the switchover happens this weekend."

Cllr Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for transforming rail travel, added: “The transformation of New Street Station is only at its half way stage and many exciting elements, such as the giant glass atrium, are still to come. Nevertheless this new modern concourse with platforms served by new escalators and lifts will bring real benefits for the thousands of passengers using it each day.”