Monday 8 Aug 2022
New Street says 'Goodbye from Birmingham - next stop Victoria 2026'
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: Central
Athletes, sports fans and rail passengers from around the world are being thanked by Network Rail for an amazing 12 days as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games come to an end.
With the closing ceremony this evening (Monday 8 August), two huge banners have been unveiled at Birmingham New Street station passing the sporting – and railway - baton to Victoria, Australia, which will host the 2026 Games.
With the message ‘Goodbye from Birmingham, next stop Victoria 2026’, railway staff and volunteers gathered to celebrate the Games and help sports fans on the last day make their way to the final events.
The unveiling comes as latest figures show that over the last 12 days more than 2 million people have passed through the station*.
It also follows New Street’s second ever busiest day this Saturday (6 August) when 255,390 people used its concourse – only beaten by Black Friday in 2019**.
Throughout the Games passengers have been helped by more than 300 railway volunteers - dressed in pink as travel champions – who welcomed and directed visitors from around the world, many of who had never been to Birmingham before.
New Street's concourse hosted face-painting, Irish dancers, opera singers, actors, bands and volunteers gave out ice creams to entertain the crowds and provide a carnival atmosphere during the sporting spectacle.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, said: “The Commonwealth Games have been amazing and the atmosphere in and around Birmingham has been electric. Our aim was to make sure the Games were about sport and not transport and meticulous planning has taken place so we were ready. I am so proud we have managed to get passengers to and from the venues and back home safely as part of an amazing Commonwealth Games. I wish Victoria the very best for 2026 – they have a very hard act to follow!”
Anne Shaw, executive director at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), said: “The Commonwealth Games has been fantastic for the city, the region, visitors and athletes. TfWM has been able to make this a Games underpinned by public transport by ensuring everyone has access to the transport network without having to pay extra – a huge step forward in delivering a greener Games.
"It's been amazing to see the transport industry - trains, buses, trams, bikes and roads - working together as one team to provide the best service and keep people moving to and from sports venues."
On the last day of the Games Network Rail continues its three tips for rail passengers.
They are to check before you travel, plan your journey, and leave more time to get to your destination.
This can all be done by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.
Notes to Editors
*A total of 2,010,008 people passed through Birmingham New Street station between Thursday 28 July to 2pm on Monday 8 August. This is calculated using a number of automatic ceiling counters positioned around the station and at entrances and exits which give readings every hour.
**Birmingham New Street's busiest ever day was on Friday 29 November 2019, when 258,290 people travelled through the station.
Over the last 18 months extensive work has taken place to get Midlands rail routes in the best possible shape. There have been major station upgrades in Coventry and Perry Barr, the removal of graffiti and overgrown plants and trees beside tracks, training of station volunteers, and upgrading railway lines and equipment.
Across Birmingham and the West Midlands, 15 venues played host to 20 sports. Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham International, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Perry Barr, and Warwick stations have all played key roles to get people to Games venues.
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