Updated plans for the redevelopment of Perry Barr railway station have been submitted to Birmingham City Council, after the original designs were compared to a shoebox, a Nintendo console and a drive-thru Starbucks by unimpressed railway engineers and local politicians!
The proposals have now been reworked in response to feedback received from the public and stakeholders following submission of plans in September 2020.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: "The key when drawing up the plans was to create a railway station that works for passengers with safety, clear information, lifts and toilets – features the current building lacks – a priority. But we received the message loud and clear that people expected more in terms of design for this key location and went back and looked at it again. We hope the revised design will create a station that the area and community can be proud of."
Birmingham City Council is consulting on the new design, and a decision on the application is expected in January 2021.
The project is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the West Midlands Rail Executive in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Network Rail and West Midlands Trains.
Malcolm Holmes, director of rail for TfWM, added: "We have listened to the feedback and taken that on board with this fresh design. This new station will not only be a vast improvement on what is there, but will link to the wider transport network with a new bus interchange next door, the Sprint rapid bus service along the A34 and A45, and the new safe cycle route from the city centre to Alexander Stadium.
Contractor Galliford Try will be on site by the end of the year undertaking site surveys and the removal of some of the neighbouring structures. Main construction is due to begin in spring 2021, subject to planning permission. Perry Barr station is set to reopen to passengers ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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