Moor Street
West Midlands Rail Executive unveils first images of designs for Birmingham’s revamped Moor Street station.
THE first images of what a redeveloped Birmingham Moor Street station might look like have been revealed by West Midlands Rail Executive.
These early designs form an integral part of WMRE’s ‘One Station’ concept to integrate Birmingham’s existing city centre stations at Moor Street and New Street with the new station for HS2 currently being built at nearby Curzon Street.
Proposals for Moor Street include more than doubling the size of the concourse from 910m2 to 2000m2, and the introduction of two new platforms.
WMRE says this is needed to accommodate an expected increase in passenger numbers from seven million to 12 million per year by 2043. Further increases are expected from the arrival of HS2 in 2026, and under Midland Connect’s Midlands Rail Hub proposals to increase the number of conventional services arriving from Hereford, Worcester, the South West and the East Midlands.
Plans for Moor Street include a new footbridge with access to every platform and a direct link to HS2 services at Curzon Street via a new public square.
A second entrance to the south of the station is also proposed, to avoid overcrowding and improve access to the Digbeth area of the city.
To enhance the existing pedestrian access between Moor Street and New Street, a safe, welllit and direct route via St Martin’s Queensway is planned alongside a revamped route from Rotunda Square.
According to WMRE, all new construction has been designed by architects Grimshaw and Glenn Howells to complement the historic Grade 2-listed entrance and concourse at Moor Street (built in 1914).
WMRE Chairman Roger Lawrence said: “With a second
entrance, more space and improved links to New Street station and the new HS2 Curzon Street station, this vision will offer passengers a much more enjoyable and pleasant experience when visiting Moor Street.
“The extra platforms will also ensure that Moor Street is ready for extra services following the proposed development of the Camp Hill Chords, as part of the Midlands Rail Hub.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: “We have big plans for the West Midlands, and the expansion of Moor Street is a crucial part of that. This vision for Moor Street will not only provide a better experience for commuters, with two extra platforms it will set the foundation for the future expansion of rail services.”
Further feasibility studies will now be required to progress the designs to a greater level of technical analysis, which WMRE says will then feed into a future Outline Business Case for the redevelopment of Moor Street.