Thursday 4 Feb 2010
NETWORK RAIL SECURES PLANNING PERMISSION FOR BIRMINGHAM GATEWAY PROJECT
- Region & Route:
The transformation of New Street station took a major step forward today as the design was given the stamp of approval by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee.
The Gateway project will turn New Street into the world-class station that passengers deserve with more light and space, additional entrances, easier access to platforms and a stunning new exterior.
Work is expected to start in the station later this year and has been planned to minimise the impact on passengers. All train services will continue to operate and the Pallasades shopping centre remain open throughout the project.
Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, said: “New Street station will be transformed into a 21st century transport hub. With the backing of the planning authority we are one step closer to realising this vision. We will continue to refine our plans so that we give New Street the new start it deserves and keep the impact on people’s journeys to a minimum.”
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Mike Whitby said; “Today's endorsement sees a further green light given to one of the most important projects undertaken in this city in generations. It has been a long road in securing funding for Gateway but ultimately our vision for a stunning central station that can cope with Birmingham’s 21st century transport demands has been recognised.
“The redeveloped New Street Gateway will provide a focal point for far wider regeneration of the entire city over the next 10-15 years, and is one of the main components of the city's £6 billion worth of publicly funded regeneration projects currently on our books.
“Delivering a world-class station to the city will enhance our international reputation and investment potential while also drastically improving services nationally and regionally, and give Birmingham a central station that befits its status as a global destination.”
The Gateway project is backed by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands, Centro and the Department for Transport. It will be delivered by Network Rail.
Notes to editors
The £600m Gateway project will see 1960s-built New Street station transformed into a bright, modern, 21st century focal point for Birmingham. It will double passenger capacity and deliver:
- a concourse that is three-and-a-half times bigger than at present, enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium
- more accessible, brighter and clearer platforms, reached by new escalators and new lifts
- a stunning new station façade, adding to Birmingham’s growing reputation for good design
- better links to and through the station for pedestrians, with eight entrances
- a major stimulus for the physical regeneration of the areas surrounding the station
2. The impact on passengers will be kept to a minimum as most of the work will take place off-site. Phase 1 will see a new concourse built in a former car park next to the station. This concourse is expected to open in 2012 and preparatory work started in September 2009. Phase 2 will then see the existing concourse closed for redevelopment. The project is expected to complete in 2015.
3. New Street in numbers:
- 40m – people who use New Street every year
- 140,000 – passengers using the station every day
- 60,000 – the amount of passengers per day New Street was designed to cater for when it was rebuilt in 1967
- £2.3bn – the economic benefits of New Street station redevelopment
- £350m – the amount Network Rail is investing in renewing the signalling systems through New Street and the West Midlands over the next ten years
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