Media centre

Thursday 2 Mar 2023

Changes for passengers during Birmingham New Street platform work

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Passengers are being advised about changes to journeys through Birmingham New Street station while engineers carry out improvements to the concrete roof above the station’s 12 platforms.

An investment of £7.5m will upgrade the original 1960s concrete deck which supports the station concourse. The vital maintenance will keep trains running safely and reliably in future.

Network Rail is working closely with train operators to deliver the upgrade so most trains can continue to run as normal during the eight-month project. 

Platforms will need to be closed in pairs for four weeks at a time, starting with platforms 5 and 6 from Sunday 2 April to Sunday 30 April.

This will mean some changes to train times and services arriving and departing from different platforms than usual.

Passengers are being given advanced notice of the alterations - particularly those travelling on CrossCountry services between the East and West Midlands.

People are advised to plan their journeys in advance by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, said: “Our major work to renew the roof above Birmingham New Street’s platforms is a vital part of a wider programme to keep the iconic station running reliably and looking its best for passengers. 

“The temporary platform closures will mean changes to train services and we’re asking passengers to plan ahead and check with their train operator to see how their journey will be affected. I’d like to thank station users in advance for their patience while this work takes place.” 

Lucy Wootton, head of the Grand Railway Collaboration*, said: “Train operators are looking forward to welcoming even more passengers back to the rail network this year, though there will be some changes to timetables while this vital work takes place.

“This investment is key for the long-term future of Birmingham New Street station. In the short-term, the most important thing for passengers is to double-check their journeys to ensure smooth journeys.”

In addition to changes to platforms and train departure timings at Birmingham New Street, there will also be changes to weekday CrossCountry services between Nottingham and Birmingham New Street.

John Robson, regional director for East Midlands and East Anglia at CrossCountry, said: “There will be significant changes to train services between Nottingham and Birmingham via Derby, Burton-on-Trent and Tamworth while this important upgrade work takes place. We urge our customers to check www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-updates-information for full details before they travel and thank them for their patience while these important improvements take place.”

Upgrades to the platforms are part of a wider package of upgrades at Birmingham New Street over the next two years which will help to improve journeys for passengers. 

Passengers are advised to plan ahead, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk and check station departure boards before they travel.