103-674: New Street may refer to: Birmingham New Street railway station , a railway station in Birmingham, UK New Street, Birmingham , a street in Birmingham, United Kingdom New Street, Brussels (Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat), a street in Brussels, Belgium New Street (York) , a street in York, United Kingdom New Street, Kent, England, a hamlet in Ash-cum-Ridley parish Topics referred to by
206-558: A compulsory purchase order and demolished as part of the project as one of the towers will partially cover the footprint of the building. The tower is on a long lease and administered by the City Council, with Network Rail having the freehold. Turley Associates wrote on behalf of Agora (Warner Estates) who are the leasehold owners of the Pallasades and car park which is sub-leased to National Car Parks . They were supportive of
309-760: A multi-storey car park dating from the 1970s. The car park closed in May 2012; it was demolished to provide space for the new concourse and was rebuilt. Stephenson Tower, a 20-storey residential tower block, was built alongside the station between 1965 and 1966. The tower, designed by the City Architect of Birmingham , was demolished in March 2012 as part of the station redevelopment. In 1987, twelve different horse sculptures by Kevin Atherton, titled Iron Horse , were erected between New Street station and Wolverhampton at
412-604: A trainshed with a glass and steel roof comprising two trussed arches, 58 ft (18 m) wide by 620 ft (189 m) long, and 67 ft 6 in (21 m) wide by 600 ft (183 m) long. It was designed by Francis Stevenson, chief engineer to the LNWR. The extension was opened on 8 February 1885. On completion, New Street had nearly doubled in size and became one of the largest stations in Britain, covering an area of over twelve acres (4.9 ha). In early 1885,
515-692: A "depressing underground bunker" and by Simon Jenkins as "hideous". The power signal box at New Street was completed in 1964 on the site of the former turntable, housing the Westpac Geographical Interlocking & Signalmens push button control panel (the largest relay interlocking in the world when installed) and also the Railway Telephone Exchange. It is a brutalist building with corrugated concrete architecture, designed by John Bicknell and Paul Hamilton in collaboration with William Robert Headley ,
618-490: A bottleneck which is constrained by the foundations of the shopping centre preventing widening. Here, twelve tracks constrict to become four and this was outlined in the " Birmingham and West Midlands Rail Capacity Review " as a future capacity problem. The proposed design for the project was unveiled in June 2006 and in the following month, the business case had been completed. The business case had taken 18 months to produce and
721-466: A catalyst for regional growth and development but offer an excellent return on necessary investment." In response to the planning application, English Heritage welcomed the proposals as it promises greater integration of the station into patterns of pedestrian flow around the city centre, and therefore benefit the appreciation of Birmingham's historic environment. The Conservation and Heritage Panel of Birmingham City Council echoed this as well as stressing
824-455: A central roadway, Queens Drive. Traffic grew steadily and, by 1900, New Street had an average of 40 trains an hour departing and arriving, rising to 53 trains in the peak hours. In 1846, the LNWR had obtained an act of Parliament, the London and Birmingham Railway (New Street Station) Act 1846 ( 9 & 10 Vict. c. ccclix), to extend their line into the centre of Birmingham, which involved
927-525: A completely new station in the city. Work began on the redevelopment on 26 April 2010. Construction was completed in phases to minimise disruption. On 28 April 2013, one half of the new concourse was opened to the public and the old 1960s concourse was closed for redevelopment, along with the old entrances. The complete concourse opened on 20 September 2015, the Grand Central shopping centre four days later. The refurbished Pallasades Shopping Centre
1030-410: A cost of £12,000. One stands on platform 7 at New Street. Due to its enclosed sub-surface platforms, New Street was designated as an underground station by the fire service. In the 1990s, a number of changes had to be made to the station in order to comply with stricter fire regulations, introduced for underground stations as a result of the 1987 King's Cross fire . In 1993, a new enclosed footbridge
1133-632: A design contest notice on the Tenders Electronic Daily, supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union . The notice stated that the designs must be received by noon on 28 January 2008 with selected architects being invited to produce an architectural model on 11 February 2008. The design should include a new external façade and atrium. On 18 February 2008, the shortlist of six architectural design practices
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#17327719057581236-459: A first class lounge and Network West Midlands also provides a public transport information point for the station. The station is a penalty fare station for West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway (West Midlands Trains' brands ). This scheme is operated both onboard trains and at the automatic ticket barriers at the station. The other train operating companies that use the station do not operate penalty fare schemes. The station
1339-403: A large atrium which will allow the new concourse to "flood with light", given that a major complaint surrounding the current station is its lack of natural light. A reserved matters planning application was submitted for the design to Birmingham City Council on 20 November 2009. A public consultation period commenced immediately and ended on 31 December 2009. The Commission for Architecture and
1442-462: A new concourse, a new exterior facade and a new entrance on Stephenson Street. New Street station was built in central Birmingham by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) between 1846 and 1854, on the site of several streets in a marshy area known as "The Froggery"; it replaced several earlier rail termini on the outskirts of the centre, most notably Curzon Street , which had opened in 1838 and
1545-482: A number of sidings on the station for the stabling of trains; these are between platforms 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10. The bay platforms at either end of platform 12 were removed during the 2015 refurbishment. The sidings in front of New Street signal box have also been removed. Still in existence, but out of use, is the "Royal Mail tunnel" which connected the "b" end of the station platforms to the former sorting office (now called The Mailbox) alongside Suffolk Street. The tunnel to
1648-424: A recollection of the extraordinary scene witnessed daily at Birmingham Central Railway Station. The roof of the original station was strengthened with additional steel tie bars during 1906–07, as a precaution following the collapse of a similar roof which killed six people at Charing Cross station in 1905. Midland Railway trains that had used Curzon Street began to use New Street from 1854; however, its use by
1751-673: A result of the First World War . In 1923, the LNWR and Midland Railway, with others, were grouped into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) by the Railways Act 1921 . In 1948, the railways were nationalised and came under the control of British Railways . During the Second World War , Cowper's roof sustained extensive bomb damage as a result of air raids during the Birmingham Blitz . After
1854-589: A result of the problems with the existing station, proposals to redevelop the station gained traction in the mid-2000s. A feasibility study was approved in January 2005. Designs were shown to the public in February 2006 for a new Birmingham New Street Station, in a project known as Gateway Plus . A regeneration scheme was launched in 2006 and evolved through names such as Birmingham Gateway, Gateway Plus and New Street Gateway. The scheme proposed complete rebuilding of
1957-458: A smaller footprint than the other. One tower will be residential whilst the other will be office. At least 10% of housing created within the proposed new towers would be reserved for affordable housing , below the city centre average of 15%. Earlier in 2006, there were reports of an extra 10 floors being added to the design. When the reserved matters application was submitted in November 2009,
2060-609: A terminus for trains from the Stour Valley Line , which entered the station from the Wolverhampton direction. On the formal opening day, the LNWR's Curzon Street station was closed to regular passenger services and trains from the London direction started using New Street. The station was constructed by Messrs. Fox, Henderson & Co . and designed by Edward Alfred Cowper of that firm, who had previously worked on
2163-520: A traincrew depot at the station and stables some trains overnight around the station. For the most part, it uses Soho TMD for electric traction units; its non-electric units are kept at Tyseley TMD to the south-east of Birmingham. CrossCountry also operates a traincrew depot at the station; it uses Tyseley TMD for the Class 170 units and its Voyagers are based at Central Rivers TMD . The basic Monday to Saturday off-peak service in trains per hour (tph)
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#17327719057582266-642: Is Birmingham International , which serves Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre . New Street is the hub of the West Midlands rail network, as well as being a major national hub. The station is one of twenty operated and managed by Network Rail. Network Rail also provides operational staff for the station. Station staff are provided on all platforms to assist with the safe dispatch of trains. For operational reasons, all trains departing New Street must be dispatched via
2369-433: Is 1,110 feet long, 205 feet wide and 80 feet high, composed of iron and glass, without the slightest support except that afforded by the pillars on either side. If the reader notices the turmoil and bustle created by the excitement of the arrival and departure of trains, the trampling of crowds of passengers, the transport of luggage, the ringing of bells and the noise of two or three hundred porters and workmen, he will retain
2472-623: Is a committee dedicated to getting the plans to materialise. The council's project manager for Gateway Plus is David Pywell, who was also the Strategic Director of Development for Birmingham City Council before retiring in September 2006. Network Rail announced in 2005 that it will be setting up an entrepreneurial team that will work with developers and investors working on the project. In April 2009, Network Rail announced that Chris Montgomery had been appointed as managing director of
2575-599: Is a sensitive location. It contains a significant amount of equipment which would be sensitive to dust. Much of this equipment is behind louvres , and could therefore be subject to dust, particularly through the construction period. Despite the criticism, the plans have also received considerable support. From the political spectrum, the project has received support from Tony Blair , the Conservative Party and from Gisela Stuart, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, who said: "The proposed redevelopment would not only be
2678-535: Is allocated the IATA location identifier QQN . All trains arriving and departing must use one of the several tunnels around the station. Network Rail, as well as operating the station, operate a customer reception located on the main concourse, provide mobility assistance and train dispatch. The booking office and barriers are operated by Avanti West Coast , with customer service or floor walker staff provided by CrossCountry and Network Rail. Avanti West Coast operates
2781-638: Is as follows: Avanti West Coast Gateway Plus The Gateway Plus (previously known as Birmingham Gateway and now known as Grand Central) project was a redevelopment scheme that regenerated Birmingham New Street railway station and the Pallasades Shopping Centre above it in Birmingham , England . It was completed in September 2015. The project aimed to enhance the station to cope with increased passenger numbers as well as expected future growth in traffic, but did not alter
2884-438: Is designated as underground. There were extractor fans that removed fumes, but these were removed with the refurbishment of the concourse and shopping centre above the platforms. They were replaced with blowers, as there are still a large number of services operated by diesel trains despite the whole station having been electrified in the 1960s. There have been environmental concerns about the level of pollution, especially NOx , in
2987-643: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Birmingham New Street railway station Birmingham New Street , also known as New Street station , is the largest and busiest of the three main railway stations in Birmingham city centre , England, and a central hub of the British railway system . It is a major destination for Avanti West Coast services from London Euston , Preston , Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley and West Midlands Trains services from Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston both via
3090-467: Is that at the great Birmingham Station…" When first opened, New Street was described as the "Grand Central Station at Birmingham" by Richard Foster. The internal layout of tracks and platforms was designed by Robert Stephenson and his assistants; the station contained a total of nine platforms, comprising four through and five bay platforms. The main entrance building on Stephenson Street incorporated Queens Hotel, designed by John William Livock , which
3193-522: The Cross-City Line as an example, showing that stations can currently take a maximum of six carriages and that the lengthening proposals would increase train length to 12 carriages. A total of ten letters and one petition were submitted in response to the outline planning application. Three letters were in support of the planning application whilst one letter queried whether work would be carried out at night. In February 2007, Arup called for
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3296-477: The Department for Transport . Gateway Plus has been subject to uncertainty in funding, a problem Mike Whitby claimed to have been responsible for removing in early October 2006. However, a report later said that the financial part of the project had already been secured before he came to power as the leader of Birmingham City Council. In March 2007, Birmingham City Council was given an additional £40 million by
3399-652: The Department of Trade and Industry . This was further supported by the leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby, who is also the Chairman of the New Street Gateway Steering Committee. Separate from this, the project received more support, this time from the shadow transport minister, Julian Brazier of the Conservative party . Following the announcement by Ruth Kelly for the £128 million funding package for New Street, it
3502-610: The West Coast Main Line . The CrossCountry network centres on New Street, as well as local and suburban services within the West Midlands ; these include those on the Cross-City Line between Lichfield Trent Valley , Redditch and Bromsgrove , and the Chase Line to Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley . The three-letter station code is BHM. The station is named after New Street , which runs parallel to
3605-417: The West Midlands region . The redevelopment of New Street is expected to accommodate passenger growth to at least 2046, depending on the accuracy of the growth predictions. Between 2,200 and 3,200 permanent jobs will be created as a result of the redevelopment with further jobs being created during the construction work at the station. The new station will be an improved transport destination for tourists and
3708-562: The Birmingham Alliance, also responded with a holding objection to the proposals as concern has been raised in respect of the moving of the escalators which lead from the concourse level to the Pallasades Shopping Centre. They were also concerned over the work made to the entrance at Smallbrook Queensway. Savilles, on behalf of BT , lodged a holding objection on the basis that their facility on Hill Street
3811-495: The Birmingham Gateway proposals to be abandoned because it did not address rail capacity issues. Their report said that New Street station would reach its railway capacity by 2025 and further increases would be constrained by the bottleneck to the east of the station, where twelve tracks become four. Instead they proposed building a new "Grand Central station" to the east. This scheme was not considered by Network Rail or
3914-564: The Built Environment gave the project its approval in January 2010, although warned that it could be "watered down" to cut costs. The application received approval from the Planning Committee on 4 February 2010. The initial design for the station was produced by John McAslan + Partners in conjunction with engineers WSP Group , who were appointed in 2005. The design submitted for outline planning approval involved
4017-534: The Cabinet. Martin Chambers, Programme Director for New Street at Network Rail, said in June 2007 that he expects the government to approve the first payment towards the project in mid-July. He expected Network Rail to announce a £122 million package on 18 July. On top of this, a further £136 million has to be paid by the Department for Transport , and £100 million from Advantage West Midlands must be approved by
4120-768: The Government after they described the West Midlands Local Transport Plan being scored as "excellent". £3 million of this was put towards the Gateway Plus project. A£128 million funding package was announced by British Government for the Gateway Plus project in July 2007. It was announced by Ruth Kelly , the Transport Secretary, when she unveiled a government White Paper Delivering a Sustainable Railway , which also includes
4223-574: The Midland Railway was limited by the fact that those trains going between Derby and Bristol would have to reverse, so many trains bypassed New Street and ran through Camp Hill . This was remedied in 1885, when a new link to the south, the Birmingham West Suburban Railway , was extended into New Street, which allowed through trains to and from the south-west to run via New Street without reversing. To cope with
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4326-447: The UK and the busiest outside London, with 35.3 million passenger entries and exits between April 2023 and March 2024. It is also the busiest interchange station outside London, with over 5 million passengers changing trains at the station annually. In 2018, New Street had a passenger satisfaction rating of 92%, the third highest in the UK. The original New Street station opened in 1854. At
4429-574: The Use Classes Order (England) April 2005" Construction was expected to begin in 2009, with Phase 1 being completed in April 2011 and Phase 2 by Spring 2013. A later report stated the entire station would be completed for the 2012 London Olympics . In late October 2006, the developers of New Street station expressed their interest in technology being developed in Japan where the footsteps of
4532-498: The acquisition of some 1.2 hectares (3 acres) of land and the demolition of around 70 houses in Peck Lane, The Froggery, Queen Street and Colmore Street. The Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion chapel, on the corner of Peck Lane and Dudley Street, which had only been built six years before, was also demolished. The station was formally opened on 1 June 1854, although the uncompleted station had already been in use for two years as
4635-408: The architects were that the designs presented were only initial ideas. Objections to the proposed twin towers were raised by the residents of Stephenson Tower, under the name "Stephenson Tower Residents Association" on the outline planning application. The group submitted a petition regarding the planning application. Stephenson Tower, a 20-storey tower block on New Street station, will be served with
4738-447: The concourse will be covered in seamless plaster. The exterior will be covered in a curved, stainless steel façade, said to be inspired by Birmingham's undulating skyline, that will rise to the top of the multi-storey car park . Eye-shaped LED screens will be installed on three of the corners of the building which will provide travel information. The new entrance at Station Street, as proposed by John McAslan + Partners will remain, with
4841-472: The demolition and replacement of the station's existing concrete façade with a curved glass frontage. All existing entrances were to remain, with a new entrance to be installed at Station Street. The plans were to flank the entrance on Station Street with two mixed-use 130m towers, on the site of Stephenson Tower. The existing glass "arrowheads" which are located on the Navigation Street elevation at
4944-505: The design of the Crystal Palace . When completed, New Street had the largest arched single-span iron and glass roof in the world, spanning a width of 211 feet (64 m) and being 840 ft (256 m) long. It held this title for 14 years until St Pancras station opened in 1868. It was originally intended to have three spans, supported by columns; however, it was soon realised that the supporting columns would severely restrict
5047-624: The end of the platforms were to remain. The current station consists of five escalators and two lifts serving the station however, it was proposed to increase the number of escalators to 42 and lifts to 15. The demolition of part of the Pallasades Shopping Centre would allow for the construction of a glass roof to allow natural light to reach the concourse, which will be expanded by 350% to new 10,500 m . Foreign Office Architects were appointed following an international architectural design competition managed by RIBA Competitions . Their design differed massively from that of John McAslan. As proposed in
5150-514: The entire width of both the LNWR and Midland stations. Queens Drive was lost in the 1960s rebuild, but the name was later carried by a new driveway, which served the car park and a tower block , and is the access route for the station's taxis. On 1 February 1910, the LNWR introduced a "City to City" service between New Street and Broad Street , in the City of London . The service only lasted for five years, before being withdrawn on 22 February 1915, as
5253-611: The exception of those adjacent to the Signal Box which can only be cleaned. The number of escalators will be increased to 31, and lifts to 16, improving connectivity between the platforms and station concourse. The outline planning application included plans for two 130-metre (427 ft) tall mixed-use towers, flanking the Station Street entrance. The two glass towers were proposed to both be 30 storeys maximum and would be completely identical except for one tower will have
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#17327719057585356-484: The existing waiting rooms and modernised. Holes will be cut in the floor of the concourse and filled with glass to allow light to pass from the concourse to platform level. The floor of the concourse will also be repaved. To allow natural light into the concourse, part of the Pallasades Shopping Centre will be demolished and three elongated glass domes will be constructed, reaching 26 m (85 ft) in height, with four glass skylights inserted between them. The interior of
5459-413: The facade at street level providing additional retail units. The existing retail units will also be redeveloped. There will also be extensive landscaping works around the station. The southern entrance at Station Street will form the main drop-off area for cars and taxis, allowing the existing drop-off area to be enclosed within the concourse. There are six voids above the railway tracks, and so as part of
5562-517: The former Head Post Office at Victoria Square is bricked up, with the subway between the platforms remaining in use for railway staff. The former baggage subway at the "a" end is now used for railway staff and as a fire exit. All signalling is controlled by West Midlands Signalling Centre in Saltley, with the former New Street power signal box at the Wolverhampton or b end of the station; it can be seen at street level on Navigation Street. The station
5665-574: The government to provide the necessary funding for the project and said he expected a decision by Christmas Day , 2007. On 12 February 2008, Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly announced that the Department for Transport will be providing £160 million on top of the £128 million that is to be provided through the railway White Paper. A further £100 million will be provided by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and will be channelled through Advantage West Midlands ,
5768-586: The government. On the Commons Transport Committee, a number of MPs raised similar concerns about railway capacity. This was reported on the BBC News Website on 21 July 2008. Other criticisms were towards the architecture of the station. The proposals have been attacked by councillors and planners who considered the designs to be of poor architectural quality and disputed whether the two towers were iconic enough. The reply from
5871-419: The increase in traffic that this would bring, the station required an extension, the construction of which began in 1881. A number of buildings, mostly along Dudley Street, were demolished to make room for it, including a number of cottages, some business premises and a small church. Built immediately to the south of the original station, the extension contained four through platforms and one bay. It consisted of
5974-415: The need for high quality design. When completed, it is expected to have cost over £550 million. The financing for the project depends upon a mixture of public and private funding. Private funding will account for £150 million whilst the rest will be publicly funded. The four key funding partners for the project are: In May 2006, outline funding applications were submitted to Government agencies including
6077-480: The need for the station. Also in 2005, British architect Will Alsop produced designs for New Street station, incorporating a glass roof. The designs were then commercially validated. Other proposals for alleviating the pressure on New Street station have also been suggested. These include the lengthening of trains, however, this has been criticised by Arup who claim that there are many stations that are unable to take trains any longer than they currently are. They used
6180-441: The number of daily users of the station was surveyed. On a Thursday, the number was 22,452 and on a Saturday it was 25,334. Initially, the extension was used by both the LNWR and Midland Railway but, from 1889, it was only used by Midland Railway trains. It was separated from the original LNWR trainshed by Queens Drive, which became a central carriageway, but the two were linked by a footbridge which ran over Queens Drive and across
6283-601: The ongoing resignalling project for the station area. No. 1 Engine Siding was located at the north end, between platforms 4 and 5, and was lengthened some years ago to form platform 4C. A Sutton Coldfield model railway enthusiast, Don Jones, built a scale model of the entire 1960s station and surrounding buildings including the Rotunda , the old Head Post Office and the signal box, at OO scale ; open days were held to raise funds for local charities. Private visits were held for Robert Redford and King Hussein of Jordan . As
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#17327719057586386-439: The platform occupy the entire length of the platform, such as Class 390 Pendolinos . Trains departing towards Proof House Junction ( a end) can depart from any platform, but there are restrictions on trains departing from the b end. All platforms can accommodate trains heading towards Wolverhampton; however, due to the platform layout and road bridge supports, only 5–12 can accommodate trains heading towards Five Ways. There are
6489-514: The previous station. The platforms were covered over by a seven-acre (2.8 ha) concrete deck, supported by 200 columns, upon which the concourse and other buildings were constructed. Escalators, stairs and lifts were provided to reach the platforms from the concourse. The new station had sold its air rights , leading to the construction of the Pallasades Shopping Centre (then known as the Birmingham Shopping Centre) above
6592-417: The principle of the development, however, feel the proposal should be amended to mitigate the loss of value on the shopping centre, improve pedestrian connectivity; reduce the scale of the void proposed within the shopping centre to provide direct pedestrian connections and provide additional retail floorspace. Therefore, they objected to the proposal at this stage. Donaldsons LLP , who were writing on behalf of
6695-495: The private sector. Network Rail is also investing £350 million in renewing the signalling systems through New Street station and the West Midlands over the next ten years. The Chancellor George Osborne confirmed in his June 2010 budget that central government funding for the redevelopment would still be provided despite the economic downturn. The project has been split into two phases since its approval in 2003. The New Street Gateway Steering Committee, chaired by Mike Whitby,
6798-405: The project. Atkins is the lead consultant on the project and Mace Group will be providing construction and logistics management, which will involve monitoring of track possessions, night working and the placement of hoardings for minimum disruption, as well as being the principal contractor. It is claimed that the redevelopment of the station would result in £2.3 billion being invested into
6901-475: The proposals were publicly welcomed by Birmingham City Council in August 2006. It was given an application number of 'C/05066/06/OUT' and the application was summarised on the city council's website as: "Outline planning application, including the approval of access, for the major refurbishment and associated development of New Street Station and adjoining land, in connection with alterations and reconfiguration of
7004-634: The proposals, the void adjacent to Queens Drive, to the east of the station, will be covered to create a new public square. A new walkway will be created from the Queens Drive entrance along the largest eastern void, around the back of the Odeon cinema to the Bull Ring. This will give visitors a direct and signed link to Birmingham Moor Street railway station . Most of the parapet walls to the voids will be redecorated with new cladding or art features, with
7107-486: The proposed Gateway development would leave the railway capacity of the station more or less unaltered has not escaped attention. In July 2008, the House of Commons Transport Committee criticised the plans; it was not convinced they were adequate for the number of trains which could use the station. It said if the station could not be adapted, then the government needed to look for alternative solutions which potentially included
7210-635: The regional architect for British Railways London Midland Region. The eight-level structure with five main storeys, including track & street levels and cable chamber below track level, is at the side of the tracks connected to Navigation Street. As of 2020, it is a Grade II- listed building . Until recently, two small sidings (nos. 2 & 3 Engine Sidings) were located in front of the signal box which were used for stabling electric locomotives in connection with locomotive changes from diesel to electric traction on XC services heading north. As they are no longer needed, these have now been removed in connection with
7313-422: The regional development agency. The announcement brought the total amount of Government spending on the project to £388 million. In total, £100 million will be given by Advantage West Midlands, £288 million from the Department of Transport, £100 million from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, £128 million from Network Rail and £10 million from Centro. There will be additional funding from
7416-425: The regional development agency. The announcement brought total government spending on the project to £388 million. After earlier proposals were discarded, six architects were shortlisted to design the new station following a call for submissions and it was announced, in September 2008, that the design by Foreign Office Architects had been chosen. The approved plans for the redevelopment included: The fact that
7519-666: The remaining tranches of funding. However, Alistair Darling failed to mention the project in his Pre-Budget Speech to the House of Commons , instead mentioning the Crossrail project for the South East of England , provoking fury among business leaders who accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown of dithering. Rod Ackrill, President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and group chairman of developer Chase Midland, demanded
7622-439: The reserved matters application of November 2009, the internal concourse will be reconfigured and enlarged so that it is 45 m (148 ft) long from east to west. The new atrium will have an area of 2,800 m (30,139 sq ft). New ticket barriers will allow passengers into one of three lounge areas. When their train arrives, they will be allowed onto the platforms to board the train. The platforms will be cleared of
7725-450: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title New Street . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Street&oldid=1125136731 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Road disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
7828-529: The station between 1968 and 1970. The public right of way across the station, which had previously been maintained by the station footbridge, was retained in the new station via a winding route through the shopping centre. The station and the Pallasades were partly integrated with the Bullring Shopping Centre via elevated walkways above Smallbrook Queensway. Also above the station was a nine-storey office block called Ladywood House, and
7931-443: The station facilities and comprising changes to the Pallasades Shopping Centre, the demolition of Stephenson Tower (Use Class C3), construction of two tall buildings, associated highway works, public spaces and infrastructure works (including uses A1 (retail), A3 (restaurants and cafes), A4 (drinking establishments), A5 (hot food take-away), A2 (financial and professional services) B1 (business uses including offices) C3 (residential), of
8034-470: The station was unpopular with its users. In a 2007 survey, it scored a customer satisfaction rate of only 52%, the joint lowest of any Network Rail major stations along with Liverpool Lime Street and East Croydon . The station had become inadequate for the level of traffic with which it was dealing; it had been designed with capacity for 650 trains and 60,000 passengers per day. In 2008, there were 1,350 trains and over 120,000 passengers per day. By 2013, it
8137-406: The station would increase by 57% by 2020. Between 1995 and 2005, rail passenger journeys in the West Midlands increased by about 44%, and at New Street station, passenger numbers have increased by about 53%. In the next ten years, this is expected to rise by another 28%. With the station serving more train journeys, the approach from the east, underneath the Bullring Shopping Centre , has become
8240-462: The station, although the station has never had a direct entrance from New Street except via the Grand Central shopping centre. Historically, the main entrance to the station was on Stephenson Street, just off New Street. As of 2022, the station has entrances on Stephenson Street, Smallbrook Queensway, Hill Street and Navigation Street. New Street is the thirteenth busiest railway station in
8343-772: The station. Since the privatisation of British Rail , thirteen train companies have regularly called at New Street: Arriva Trains Wales , Avanti West Coast , Central Trains , CrossCountry , First North Western , London Midland , Silverlink , Virgin CrossCountry , Virgin Trains West Coast , Transport for Wales , Wales & Borders , Wales & West and West Midlands Trains . Currently Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Trains provide services from New Street: Chiltern Railways has occasionally used New Street during engineering works. West Midlands Trains operates
8446-411: The street-level buildings and refurbishment of the platforms by 2013, with track and platform level remaining essentially unchanged. The approved planning application of August 2006 showed a glass facade with rounded edges. The entrance on Station Street originally included two curved 130 metres (427 ft) tall towers on the site of Stephenson Tower. Due to the economic slowdown, the "twin towers" plan
8549-413: The time of its construction, the station had the largest single-span arched roof in the world. In the 1960s, the station was completely rebuilt. An enclosed station, with buildings over most of its span and passenger numbers more than twice those it was designed for, the replacement was not popular with its users. A £550m redevelopment of the station named Gateway Plus opened in September 2015; it includes
8652-486: The towers were not included and it was noted that these would be subject of a separate planning application. It was reported in August 2009, that the plans for the towers was delayed due to the economic conditions. In 2005, Arup headed a campaign for a new major railway station named Birmingham Grand Central to be built in the Eastside of Birmingham, however this vision did not materialise and politicians dismissed
8755-474: The train capacity of the station. In 2008, the station handled passenger numbers far in excess of the capacity of its existing design. The current station and Pallasades Shopping Centre were completed in 1967 and became the subject of criticism for the congestion of the station and shabbiness of the shopping centre and parts of the station. It is part of the Big City Plan . Birmingham New Street station
8858-576: The upgrading of 150 further stations. This is the first of three tranches of funding required for the development. The other two tranches of funding total £223 million. In October 2007, it was reported by the Birmingham Mail that the Comprehensive Spending Review by Alistair Darling would confirm the remaining funding for Gateway Plus. This came as concerns were raised that the government would refuse to provide
8961-459: The use of Right Away (RA) indicators. They display a signal informing the train driver it is safe to start the train, instead of using more traditional bell or hand signals. The twelve through platforms are divided into a and b ends, with an extra bay platform called 4c between 4b and 5b, with the b end of the station towards Wolverhampton; this, in effect, allows twice the number of platforms. Longer trains that are too long for one section of
9064-440: The visitors could be used to generate electricity as well as the turnstiles which can be used to generate energy. They also expressed interest in a glass dome to allow heat to enter and heat the station. In early November 2006, the development was faced with delays. It was first noted that the development would be decided upon in summer 2007. This came as Gisela Stuart , MP for Birmingham Edgbaston , warned that this development
9167-440: The war, the remains of the roof were dismantled after being deemed beyond economic repair. It was replaced with austere canopies over the platforms, made from surplus war materials, which remained in use until the station was rebuilt in the 1960s. The station was completely rebuilt in the 1960s, as part of the modernisation programme for the West Coast Main Line . Demolition of the old station and Queens Hotel began in 1964 and
9270-427: The workings of the railway. Cowper's single-span design, was therefore adopted, even though it was some 62 feet (19 metres) wider than the widest roof span at that time. George Gilbert Scott praised Cowper's roof at New Street, stating "An iron roof in its most normal condition is too spider-like a structure to be handsome, but with a very little attention this defect is obviated. The most wonderful specimen, probably,
9373-413: Was 140,000 passengers per day. This made overcrowding and closures on safety grounds more common. Furthermore, the 1960s concrete architecture and enclosed design was widely criticised on aesthetic grounds. In November 2003, the station was voted the second biggest "eyesore" in the UK by readers of Country Life magazine. In books on railway station architecture, it was described by Steven Parissien as
9476-405: Was built to cater for 650 trains and 60,000 passengers per day, which was roughly the same usage it experienced when it was first constructed. It was believed that demand for rail travel would decrease. However, it now caters for 1,350 trains and over 120,000 passengers – twice its design capacity. Passenger usage of New Street has increased by 50% since 2000. It was predicted that passenger usage of
9579-432: Was completed by Christmas 2006. The proposals received outline planning consent from Birmingham City Council's Planning Department. In December 2006, Douglas Alexander revealed that the government were aware of the need for the redevelopment of New Street station however did not reveal what was being done. In February 2007, plans for the acquisition of Stephenson Tower through a Compulsory Purchase Order were discussed by
9682-518: Was created by representatives from Network Rail , Birmingham City Council , Advantage West Midlands , and the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority (WMPTA). During July and August, Warner Estates, the owners of the Pallasades Shopping Centre , were in negotiations with the developers. A planning application for outline planning permission was submitted on 9 August 2006 with designs and renders and
9785-500: Was no longer adequate for the level of traffic. Samuel Carter , solicitor to both LNWR and the Midland Railway , managed the conveyancing . The LNWR originally shared the station with the Midland Railway; however, in 1885, the Midland Railway opened its own extension alongside the original station for the exclusive use of its trains, effectively creating two stations side by side. The two companies' stations were separated by
9888-505: Was not completed until 1966. The rebuilt New Street station was opened on 6 March 1967 to coincide with the introduction of electric expresses on the West Coast Main Line. It cost £4.5 million to build (equivalent to £103,170,000 in 2023). The new station was designed by Kenneth J. Davies, lead planner for British Rail London Midland Region . Twelve through platforms replaced the eight through and six bay platforms of
9991-403: Was opened at the Wolverhampton end of the station, with access to the platforms separate from the main building; this was built primarily as a fire exit, but the new exit from the station into Navigation Street was opened to the public. All wooden fittings were removed from the platforms and new fire doors were also installed at the foot of the stairs and elevators on the platforms. By the 2000s,
10094-451: Was opened on the same day. It was built in an Italianate style and was originally provided with 60 rooms. The hotel was expanded several times over the years and reached its final form in 1917, with the addition of a new west wing. The scale of the station at this time was documented in the station's entry in the 1863 edition of Bradshaw's Guide : The interior of this station deserves attention from its magnitude. The semicircular roof
10197-509: Was released: The successful practice will act as concept architects, redesigning the station's exterior and creating a new atrium at a cost of about £30 million, while working alongside lead consultant Atkins and architect BDP. On 18 September 2008, London-based Foreign Office Architects were chosen as the concept architects for the New Street redesign, and will be working on the project alongside Atkins and BDP. Their design incorporates
10300-519: Was renamed Grand Central and included a John Lewis department store. During heavy winds on 30 December 2015, several roof tiles blew off, landing in the adjacent Station Street, which was therefore closed by the police as a precautionary measure. Around 80% of train services to Birmingham go through New Street. The other major city-centre stations in Birmingham are Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill . Outside Birmingham, in Solihull ,
10403-473: Was shelved. In February 2008, the Secretary of State for Transport , Ruth Kelly , announced that the Department for Transport would provide £160 million in addition to £128 million through the government white paper Delivering a Sustainable Railway . A further £100 million came from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and channelled through Advantage West Midlands ,
10506-475: Was stated that the station would be completed by 2015, later than the previous dates of 2012 and Spring 2013. In July 2007, the council were told in a letter from the Department for Transport to find a cheaper alternative for the redevelopment project to New Street station. This resulted in speculation over whether the Government were to grant the further two tranches of funding towards the project. On 21 December 2007, Network Rail with RIBA Competitions issued
10609-407: Was vital for Birmingham. A campaign was launched for the public to pledge their support for the development by writing their name and addresses on leaflets and posting them in ballot boxes located around the station. These will be sent to the Department for Transport. If successful, the redevelopment of the station will make it into the priority list for development being drawn up by the government and
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