Friday 20 Nov 2009
NETWORK RAIL SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION FOR BIRMINGHAM GATEWAY PROJECT
- Region & Route:
The next step in the transformation of Birmingham New Street station was taken today with the submission of the detailed planning application to Birmingham City Council.
Since outline consent was granted in 2007, the team has been working behind the scenes to further develop the plans, incorporating feedback from across the city so that the Gateway project provides the best solution for passengers, Birmingham and the region.
Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, said, “Birmingham is home to world class design so we have to deliver a station that is visionary and adds to this great architectural heritage. Our plans for New Street will further enhance the growing reputation of Birmingham and improve the travelling experience for the millions of passengers who use the station every year.”
The planning application follows a public exhibition held by Network Rail last month where people had the chance to provide their comments on the design. Over 2,000 people visited the exhibition and over 600 questionnaires were returned.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 91% of respondents agreeing that the design was an improvement on the current station. Other key findings include:
- 90% ranked improving accessibility for disabled passengers and those with luggage or buggies as important or very important;
- 86% of respondents ranked creating more entrances to the station as important or very important;
- 86% also ranked as important or very important creating more space for people to wait for their train;
The Gateway project will transform New Street into a 21st century transport hub, create a stunning new building for the city and region and provide a major stimulus for the regeneration of the areas surrounding the station.
The project is backed by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands, Centro and the Department for Transport.
Notes to editors
1. 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
Phase 1 of the Gateway project will see a brand new concourse built in a former car park next to the station. This concourse is expected to open in 2012 and preparatory work to clear the site started in September 2009. Phase 2 will then see the existing concourse closed for redevelopment. The project is expected to complete in 2015.
2. 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.
3. Further information on the results of the public exhibition can be found at www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk.
4. The full application and supporting documents will be publicly published by Birmingham City Council, beginning a formal consultation period of at least 28 days. During this period members of the public will be able to view the application and submit any views they wish members of the planning committee to consider ahead of deciding upon the application. Copies of the planning application can be viewed by visiting Birmingham City Council’s planning department on the 9th Floor, Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street, or by logging onto www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningonline (reference number: 2009/05720/pa)
5. 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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