HS2 station visions revealed as public views sought
IT COULD be the first view of Birmingham visitors see in little more than eight years’ time. New images showing how the region’s two proposed high speed rail (HS2) stations could look were revealed this week.
The designs offer a glimpse of the future of rail travel in the region, showcasing plans for the new stations in Curzon Street, in the city’s Eastside district, and Interchange near Birmingham Airport.
The artist’s impressions mark the start of a series of public consultation events across Birmingham and Solihull in October.
The two stations are due to start welcoming high-speed trains from London in 2026.
Curzon Street would be the first brand new intercity station built in Britain since the 19th century.
It will have seven platforms and be connected to Digbeth, New Street Station and the city centre via a new Midland Metro tram line.
It will also have pedestrian, cycle, taxi and bus connections to the rest of the city and the wider West Midlands.
Meanwhile, the Interchange station will be part of a new public transport hub serving Solihull, Birmingham Airport and the NEC campus and is tied in with wider development of land close to the airport which will include residential and commercial property.
WSP UK is working with Grimshaw Architects on Curzon Street while Arup is leading the Interchange project.
HS2’s chief executive Mark Thurston added: “Both of these new stations will be transformational for the Midlands and will create opportunities for regeneration, growth and economic benefits for the city and region.
“Preparatory work for the stations is well under way, with a variety of enabling works including the construction of access roads and archaeological investigations.
“As part of our plans to deliver a ‘green corridor’ across the whole route, we’re also creating new ecological habitats, community and amenity spaces to help integrate the new line and our stations into the surrounding landscape and environment.
“All of this activity is already creating job opportunities not just in the region, but across the whole country.”
Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine, said: “HS2 is already a huge part of the Midlands’ success story, bringing jobs and investment with it.
“These pioneering new station buildings will showcase a rail revolution which has our transformed region at its core.
“HS2 will be one of the most celebrated infrastructure projects in the world when trains start rolling in to Interchange and Curzon Street in 2026, with a regenerative ripple effect that will be felt across the Midlands. I can’t wait to see the stations take shape.”
A full list of the forthcoming consultation events in Birmingham can be found at hs2inbirmingham. commonplace.is. Visit hs2insolihull. commonplace.is/ for those in Solihull.