Plans have been unveiled to transform Birmingham International to a multi-modal transport hub ready for when HS2 arrives.
This project has taken another step forward as the key parties involved have agreed a crucial design stage.
The designs outline how the current 1970s building will be redeveloped into a new international gateway that will be able to accommodate 16 million passengers a year.
The designs also suggest how the station will bring existing rail together with future high-speed rail, trams, buses, rapid transit, private vehicles, taxis, bicycles and an automated people mover.
The project is being led by the Urban Growth Company (UGC). The Hub comprises Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Business Park and Arden Cross.
The first outcome of this agreement saw £20m of regional funding being secured to redesign a key traffic roundabout.
Nick Brown, Chairman of the UGC, said: “A huge amount of work has been undertaken by all the partners over the last year in particular, with everyone pulling in the same direction and working towards the same end game.
“The recently-launched Arden Cross masterplan is to be welcomed as it aligns perfectly with our wider ambitions for the UK Central Hub. As part of that vision for Arden Cross we now also see HS2 on board with support for multi-storey car parks rather than surface car parks, which would hugely frustrate development opportunities there.
“We've worked hard to bring together all the partners and agree shared principles. It means we are moving ever closer to our joint goal of greenbelt release and delivering high-quality, sustainable, mixed-use development. That is how we'll create the jobs, homes, commercial spaces and world-class connectivity the region needs now, more than ever, starting with this Birmingham International Station project.”
Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “These designs really bring this project to life and show how The Hub is being transformed into Europe's best-connected destination for business, leisure and living.
“Over 450,000 people will be within a 45-minute public transport commute to The Hub with its vastly improved connectivity and high-value jobs that will be created – that's before the first high-speed train pulls into the nearby HS2 Interchange Station. Importantly, because of the work we are putting into making sure everything is connected, we will end up with our regional transport network meshing seamlessly to the new HS2 Interchange Station.
“This and other schemes will support existing major businesses who have significant growth plans of their own, such as Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park. They also complement the recently-launched Birmingham Airport Connectivity Plan from Midlands Connect, which could significantly increase the number of services using Birmingham International Station.
“Finally, the vision will allow additional commercial opportunities adjacent to Birmingham International Station in the future, including a new 800 space multi-storey car park, a 180-bedroom hotel and up to 9,300m2 of brand new, Grade A office space.”
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If Birmingham International station is to be redeveloped. Then perhaps add more extra platforms for TfW trains to terminate at Birmingham International. And with London Northwestern Railway & Avanti West Coast trains that serves the station.
And West Midlands Railway to operate a shuttle service between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street/Wolverhampton.
Good for local businesses and for Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham NEC. Coventry railway station needs a redevelopment and re-modenisation. Because the station looks like it’s still in the 1960s or 1970s. Unless it’s a listed building which cannot be demolished and rebuilt.