Tuesday 3 Dec 2013
Work gets underway to transform “old” New Street station
- Region & Route:
Work has begun to transform the east side of Birmingham’s New Street station, which was the main station entrance until the opening of the new concourse in April this year.
The original, 1960s-style concrete façade has been a familiar sight on the Birmingham skyline for the last 50 years, but is now being removed in large sections as the transformation from pebbledash to the stunning stainless steel cladding which will transform the exterior of the station begins.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail project director said: “Our work outside New Street station will contribute towards the creation of a world class transport hub for Birmingham that’s fit for the 21st century. The stainless steel façade will completely transform the tired, old exterior into a stunning modern building that is already taking shape on the north side of the station, adding to the city’s growing reputation for good design.
“Inside we are delivering a station that Birmingham can be proud of and that will be able to handle the ever increasing numbers of passengers who want to use the railway, with a bigger concourse, better facilities and new lifts and escalators improving access to and through the new station.”
The project will also deliver better pedestrian connections across the city and new public space in the heart of the city centre.
Next year, Network Rail and Birmingham City Council will be running a competition which will give the people of Birmingham the opportunity to name the new public square on the station’s east side, which will open as part of the redevelopment in 2015.
Notes to editors
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and creation of Grand Central Birmingham shopping centre is backed by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Centro, European Development Fund and Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner Mace and delivers:
Space to accommodate passenger growth: the new concourse will be three and a half times bigger than at present and will have natural light flood throughout the giant atrium.
Better access for all: over 30 new escalators and 15 new public lifts will make it much easier to travel between the platforms and the concourse above.
Cutting edge design: a stunning new station façade will create a new landmark building in the heart of Birmingham.
The station will remain open throughout the redevelopment. The first half of the new station concourse opened to passengers in April 2013. Work has now started to redevelop the old station and Pallasades shopping centre above into Grand Central. The project completes in 2015.
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