Answers needed about tacky finish to £650m station
DEAR Editor, With less than a month to go before the official opening of Grand Central, I’d like to remind your readers of the row that erupted just over two years ago when the architect, Alejandro Zaera-Polo resigned from the project.
His main complaint at the time? Network Rail project managers were intent on dumbing-down his original design. For Zaera-Polo, the straw that seemed to break the camel’s back was their decision to use stretched fabric to cover the graceful arches that will sweep across the central atrium.
Zaera-Polo called this a decision that would make people ‘cringe’.
Since that row, we have heard nothing at all from Network Rail on the topic of the stretched fabric.
Walking through New Street station on Saturday afternoon, I realised why. The roof of the atrium is now clearly visible from the main concourse – as is the stretched fabric.
Yes, that’s right. With £650 million of OUR money now spent on this vast project, the intended piece de resistance is to be given a tackylooking finish, worthy of a cheap, suburban shopping mall.
What on earth are Network Rail thinking? As Zaera-Polo made clear, stretched fabric is no cheaper and no more hard-wearing than more durable cladding. In fact, it may not even last as long.
So here’s my challenge to Network Rail. I’d like you to come out of hiding and give an honest, clear, justification for your decision. No spin. No waffle. Just tell the people of Birmingham straight why this is a good design decision for their new, multi-million pound station. Andrew Jackson
Warwick the same can not be said for the rest of the city centre.
The High Street has been part dug up yet again, the landmark Clock Tower has been removed (where has this gone?). Union Street has so many damaged and uneven flagstones it is dangerous. Rusty old bins, a different size and shape on nearly every different street. This does nothing to inspire confidence in our great city or council. Let’s not even mention Digbeth. I do not think the council is even aware of its existence.
Perhaps the council will surprise me and prior to the opening of New Street Station, citizens of Birmingham will see the repaving of both High Street and Union Street, along with the removal of all the old litter bins, to be replaced with smart uniform street furniture and the much needed greening up (with trees and shrubs) of every street.
If other big cities like London and Manchester can manage this, why can’t we?
The importance of our public realm has to be a priority. More detail needs to be spent on improving this. It is of great benefit to residents, workers and businesses. We need to have a city centre to feel proud of. Mr G Grant, Hodge Hill,
Birmingham