Investment flows in around New Street station as final exit is opened
A NEW exit which gives direct access from platforms to the city centre has opened at Birmingham New Street station as the area receives an investment boost on the back of the development.
The southern hub provides exit only access to Hill Street from all platforms via the Navigation Street footbridge and marks the near completion of the entire redevelopment of the station.
Last month the upgrade of platform 11, the final platform to be refurbished, was completed as the final pieces of the £750 million jigsaw were put into place.
Patrick Power, Network Rail’s Birmingham New Street station manager, said: “Birmingham New Street is a station that the people of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands can be truly proud of.
“The station is no longer a blocker to moving around the city centre on foot and this new southern exit means passengers can now access all corners of the city centre with ease. Along with the platform refurbishment completed as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, the station has been completely transformed.”
Bosses say passenger satisfaction has increased steadily since the redevelopment, reaching 88 per cent in the last survey.
The area around the station is already seeing investment with new bars, shops and restaurants opening and further developments planned.
A 26-storey hotel near the station’s entrance on the south side of the city centre has recently been granted planning permission.
Birmingham City Council leader Coun John Clancy said: “This latest step in the transformation of Birmingham New Street station offers passengers even better access and comes as the city prepares to welcome a huge number of shoppers to the Frankfurt Christmas Market.”