In a landmark moment for the West Midlands, construction has officially begun on Birmingham Curzon Street Station, the city's soon-to-be intercity rail hub and a pivotal player in its economic future. This brand new station, is the first of its kind in Britain since the 19th century.
Curzon Street Station, is designed to be net zero carbon and HS2 has been in the construction planning stage with its contractors Mace Dragados Joint Venture (MDJV) since 2021 and will begin delivering major earthworks to the site so piling and foundations work can begin in Spring.
The benefits go beyond aesthetics with hundreds of jobs expected to be created during construction, including opportunities for apprenticeships and the unemployed.
Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “Birmingham is a hive of HS2 construction, with the project already supporting thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in and around the city. This next step at Curzon Steet Station will open up hundreds more opportunities for people across the region, providing a real boost to the economy.”
HS2 has worked with multiple partners on getting to this point, including WSP and Grimshaw Architects who have been instrumental in the Victorian era design with arched roofs.
Trains will approach Birmingham through a series of structures being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). This includes the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel and a series of five connected viaducts from Washwood Heath, and over the existing Victorian railway line, Lawley Middleway and Digbeth Canal.
Sir Jon Thompson, executive chair of HS2 Ltd said: “This is a major milestone for HS2 in the West Midlands, as work begins on this brand new iconic structure in the city.
“The connectivity created by Birmingham Curzon Street Station and its public realm will create far-reaching social and economic opportunities across Birmingham’s Eastside by linking together the learning and creative quarters, new residential developments and the city centre.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, summed up the excitement: "Commencing construction on Curzon Street Station is a landmark moment for HS2, for our region and for the entire country. Building Curzon Street will create hundreds of jobs for local people and upgrade our rail infrastructure for the 21st Century.”
Operational testing on the station is scheduled for 2028, with a full programme of works to be completed. It is expected work on the station façade will begin in Summer 2025, with construction of concourse steelwork and the roof due to start in Autumn 2025.
Once that has been completed, the internal fit-out of the station will start towards the end of 2025 and finish at the end of 2028.
Photo Credit: HS2
