Thursday 30 Sep 2010
NEW STREET TOWER DEMOLITION AS BIG CITY PLAN PROGRESSES
- Region & Route:
Less than 24 hours after the launch of Birmingham’s Big City Plan, preparatory work has begun for the demolition of a landmark tower block, to be removed as part of the Birmingham Gateway project. The project will transform New Street station into an iconic gateway to Birmingham with more space, better facilities and improved accessibility for passengers.
Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council commented: “The redevelopment of New Street Gateway will not only provide the city with a truly world class station, but also open up a hugely important area of the city centre to regeneration, job creation and growth.
“People can see for themselves major regeneration work taking place in the city right now – proving the Big City Plan is about far more than ambition, it is about delivery. As projects such as New Street and the Library of Birmingham take shape before our eyes, excitement is growing – as people can really begin to feel how our city is being transformed.”
Stephenson Tower has been a city landmark for over 40 years and was constructed on top of the existing station when it was rebuilt in the 1960s.
Demolition will pave the way for a new south entrance to the station, improving connections across the city and allowing a significant regeneration of the area to the south, one of the key proposals outlined in the Big City Plan at yesterday’s launch.
Andrew Skidmore, principal scheme sponsor for Network Rail commented: “The start of work to demolish Stephenson Tower is an important moment for the project and we’ve planned our work carefully so that we cause minimal disruption to both passengers and local residents.”
To complete the demolition safely, the project team will construct a tower crane and encapsulate the structure in scaffolding. Work to demolish the tower brick by brick will start in late November and complete next summer. Network Rail is also working with Birmingham City Council to provide a viable development opportunity on the south side of the station.
Mark Foley, partnerships director at Advantage West Midlands, added: “Our £100 million investment in Gateway remains the biggest single investment of any RDA in the country. The project is of huge economic importance – and our commitment is helping to create a legacy from which the city and West Midlands region will benefit in years to come.”
The Gateway project is funded by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council (with funding from the Department for Transport), Advantage West Midlands and Centro.
Notes to editors
- Birmingham Gateway will transform New Street into a bright, modern, 21st century focal point for Birmingham. The project will double passenger capacity and deliver:
- a concourse that is three-and-a-half times bigger than at present and enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium
- more accessible, brighter and clearer platforms, serviced by over 30 new escalators and over 15 new public lifts
- a stunning new station façade
- better links to and through the station for pedestrians, with eight new entrances
- the stimulus for the physical regeneration of the areas surrounding the station
- Work to construct Gateway started in April 2010 and has been carefully planned to minimise disruption for people throughout the project. Most of the work will happen behind the scenes until a new concourse opens in 2012. The project completes in 2015
- Inside the station, only one platform at a time will close allowing passengers to catch their train as normal throughout the project.
Further details on the project can be found at: www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk
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