Cosmetic changes missed the big issue

DEAR Editor, I find it almost impossible to believe that the findings about pollution at New Street Station of the University of Birmingham have come as a shock to city councillors. The level of diesel fumes from idling train engines has been a problem for many years as New Street is little different to an underground tube station.

However, the recent expenditure of £600 million on the revamped station did give a window of opportunity for the council planners to insist that Network Rail address the issue. But what happened?

There was a minor amount of platform refurbishment but basically the railway infrastructure serving the passenger was left unchanged and the money went on the Grand Central commercial edifice.