The Chamberlain News

New Street-Moor Street station walkways to get £5.5m ‘world class’ makeover

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A £5.5 million plan to improve pedestrian links between Birmingham’s New Street and Moor street stations is expected to be approved by city council leaders.

The ‘One Station’ scheme will make it easier for passengers to move between the two stations and will eventually link to the planned HS2 terminus at Curzon Street, creating a “world class public area” according to the council.

Although the proposal is in its early stages, a report to the council cabinet says the type of improvement that could be delivered includes measures to match the public realm upgrade at New Street Station, with upgraded surface materials, enhanced crossings and signs and improvements to make the walkway through St Martins Queensway Tunnel safer and more attractive.

A stakeholder group has been established to help design the new look.

It includes representatives from Bullring shopping centre owners Hammerson’s, whose consent will be required to implement the scheme, as well as Network Rail and Centro.

The cost will be met through a £3.5 million grant from the Local Transport Board, £1 million from the city centre Enterprise Zone and £1 million from Centro.

Cabinet members meet on June 30 to consider recommendations that they approve borrowing of up to £376,000 to develop a full business case, including detailed designs, authorise negotiations with landowners in the area to secure their agreement to the proposed improvements and secure formal public access on the walkway through St Martins Queensway tunnel.

Proposals to include a cycle hub within the scheme will also be considered as part of the full business case.

Cllr Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “The route between New Street and Moor Street stations is currently used by around 1.4 million rail passengers each year, and this is forecast to nearly double to 2.3 million with the arrival of HS2 in 2026.

“This means there is a real need to enhance this area and provide improved connections not only between these stations but to other destinations in the city centre.

“While the proposals are still in the very early stages, this is an important first step in delivering a truly world class scheme which will bring significant environmental and economic benefits to the city.”

Subject to capital grant funding being approved in December 2014 and the full business case being approved by the council’s cabinet in January or February 2015, it is anticipated that work on the scheme will begin in spring 2015, to be completed by the end of the same year.

An environmental impact study drawn up by the council explains why the scheme is felt to be important. It says the project will improve an area which at the moment is characterised by outdated highway and pavement designs and busy road junctions, as well as poorly sited pedestrian crossings and bus queuing areas.