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Thursday 6 Apr 2006

SPRING CLEAN FOR KINGS NORTON STATION

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Passengers using Kings Norton station are benefiting from a cleaner, safer and more pleasant environment after a month-long spring clean. Network Rail invested £40,000 in clearing litter and graffiti from the station buildings and made the previously dark walking routes lighter with extensive de-vegetation work. A redundant building which was attracting graffiti and vandalism has also been removed, making way for much needed extra car parking spaces at the station on the busy Cross City line commuter route. Network Rail’s Territory Maintenance Director, Jim Syddall, said: “The work at Kings Norton will make a huge difference to passengers using the station. The removal of the heavy vegetation and graffiti creates a more welcoming environment and a brighter and cleaner station.” The work at Kings Norton is a part of a wider project to improve the visual appearance of Network Rail’s infrastructure. Other work at Kings Norton will include a new footbridge and the re-glazing of windows on the main station footbridge. Councillor Keith Chambers, Centro- PTA lead member for rail said: “More than one in five Birmingham commuters travel by train and the Cross City line, with plenty of parking and frequent services, is vital to combating congestion. Work such as this to clean up the environment is also very important in attracting more people on to public transport in the West Midlands”.