03.05.18
Birmingham International station set for £286m revamp
The plans for a £286m revamp of Birmingham International station have been revealed after it secured more than £9m for a redesign project in preparation for the arrival of HS2.
Over £9m has been awarded to the Urban Growth Company (UGC) via devolution funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority at its investment board meeting earlier this week.
These initially secured funds will allow the UGC to have consultants move forward with the technical design of the station, as well as appoint design and build contractors to start the delivery of the project.
The plans would see the existing station be transformed into a multi-modal transport exchange, bringing together existing rail, future high speed rail, air, trams, buses, rapid transit, private vehicles, taxis, bicycles by 2025.
The plans form a major part of the vision for the UK Central Hub, the area in Solihull that’s home to Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham Airport, Arden Cross, the NEC and Jaguar Land Rover.
The UGC predicts that up to 77,500 jobs, 4000 new homes and £4.1bn GVA could be generated each year from the plans.
Kathryn James, managing director, conventions and exhibitions, NEC Group, said: "The connectivity of our site is a major draw for the seven million visitors and guests attending the NEC, the Genting Arena and Birmingham Resorts World each year.
"We’re hugely supportive of a revitalised Birmingham International station as our region experiences record levels of growth. NEC Group is playing a key part here."
Anne Brereton, director of managed growth at Solihull Council, said: "The creation of this transport exchange will improve connectivity between some of the key employment zones across the West Midlands, providing better access to jobs and services.
"It’s also a sustainable plan because of its focus on improving public transport, rather than relying on private vehicles."
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