A planning application for a third entrance to Birmingham Snow Hill Railway Station has been submitted by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
The new entrance will create a direct link between rail and metro services by offering faster links between the station and St Chad's metro stop.
It will also be more convenient for people living and working in the St Chad's area.
The new entrance will be constructed in a vacant railway arch, which is part of the Victorian viaduct which carries trains and trams into Birmingham city centre.
A concrete wall will be knocked through linking to the second entrance which was constructed on Livery Street a decade ago.
The £1.5 million project will include new ticketing and travel information facilities.
Currently, many metro passengers use the Bull Street stop to access Snow Hill Station, whilst others have to walk under the Lionel Street archway or along the busy Great Charles Street Queensway.
What did the officials say?
Malcolm Holmes, executive director of the WMRE said:
“This new entrance is a project which will be delivered in the short-term and make it much easier for passengers moving between rail and metro.
“It will also make accessing the station more convenient for the many businesses and people working in the Snow Hill area, connecting people with local and regional rail services on the Snow Hill lines.”
Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said:
“Reinstating better links between Snow Hill station and the tram network will make changing between the two much easier for passengers.
“A joined up public transport system is vital to a growing region and economy and this is the latest improvement being made in the West Midlands.”
Where Next?
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
West Midlands Rail Executive
Visit their website
Please forgive me for stating what seems like the bleeding obvious but why was the original Snow Hill Station closed in the first place, I know daft question.
Up here in the frozen north of course we have the same idiots in charge, went to Leeds last week and noticed that they have the same problem as Birmingham in as much as you can only expand the existing station for so long before having to build a further station elsewhere which begs the question why were Leeds Central and Leeds Wellington stations closed in the first place.
A new entrance at Birmingham Snow Hill could link up with the planned HS2 Curzon Street station aswell Birmingham Moor Street and New Street stations. As well the Central Birmingham area.