Consultation on design of platforms and entrance

Public have say on new university rail station

PASSENGERS are to get a say in the final design of a new Birmingham railway station. Designs for the multi-million pound University station were unveiled this week as part of a public consultation by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).

But bosses are keen to hear views on the redevelopment of the existing University station which first opened in May 1978.

It was originally designed to handle around 500,000 passengers a year but now has to cope with more than 3.5 million each year. That is expected to increase to more than seven million by 2043.

The expansion of the University of Birmingham, the development of the world class University Hospital Birmingham and the continued regeneration of the surrounding area have all played a part in driving the huge increase in passengers.

The redevelopment project is being led by WMRE and TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and

is aimed at creating a fit-for-thefuture station capable of accommodating 7.2 million passengers a year.

The new station will act as a fitting gateway to the hospitals and University campus.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “With a new life sciences campus on the way and the university and hospital continuing to expand, this area needs an impressive new station for the students, staff, visitors and the wider Edgbaston community.

“We all want the station to be the best it can be, which is why we are urging local people and regular users to join us on this exciting journey and have their say on the design.”

The plans been drawn up by the WMRE and TfWM with costs covered by partners, including a significant contribution from the University of Birmingham.

Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “I am delighted we have got the funding and plans in place to deliver a new station for the huge numbers of people.

“These are exciting times

for

Birmingham and the region, with major projects like the Commonwealth Games and HS2 enabling us to bring forward regeneration and improvements in our infrastructure.

“We want the public to help contribute towards the station’s design and suggest how it fits in with the community.”

The plans can be viewed online at www.tfwm.org.uk/stations The new station will include:

A new station building providing access to both platforms

A direct link with the University Campus over the canal

A doubling of platform widths to accommodate peak-time passenger flows

Canopy coverage along platforms Enhanced public space linking the station with existing bus stops and hospitals