Tada,
A new thread to record construction.

Network Rail Timeline plan:

* February 2007 – Outline planning permission submitted to the BCC
* July 2007 – Network Rail confirms funding for the project following publication of government’s five year rail strategy.
* February 2008 – Final stages of funding for New Street given green light by Government, Advantage West Midlands, Centro and Birmingham City Council
* September 2008 – Visionary concept designs for Birmingham Gateway project unveiled
* September 2009 – preparatory work starts
* 2012 – New station concourse opens
* 2015 – Redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station complete.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5588.aspx

From Bio
http://i27.tinypic.com/xp8qqg.gif
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=41408190&postcount=827

indicative images of design.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsnr10.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsnr8.jpg

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/cranberry/getdata_main.php?id=801

Level-by-level (from Reserved Matters planning application).
Sub-platform
Tarting up of subways
http://i50.tinypic.com/2z8cnzl.png
Platform
Clutter removed from platforms (passengers to wait upstairs). Stephenson Tower replaced by steps down to the Southside.
http://i45.tinypic.com/25ggeth.png
Lower Mezzanine
Retained lower level of Stephenson St shops
http://i49.tinypic.com/2coqyb8.png
Concourse (not too clear, I know)
North south street from steps to Stephenson St. East street also from new square to the north south street. Three waiting areas created. Landscaping in lieu of proposed twin tall towers. Navigation St footbridge extended to meet Hill St/Severn St junction.
http://i49.tinypic.com/104n3ls.png
Upper Mezzanine
Concourse is single height in places. This shows where.
http://i45.tinypic.com/mv0xw6.png
Lower Retail
Atrium created after centre core of shops removed. Escalators from concourse moved to W side of Pallasades. McD's ramp remains. New entrance in NW.
http://i49.tinypic.com/scffr4.png
Upper Retail
Existing service area for shops with alterations for atrium
http://i45.tinypic.com/newdnr.png
Roof
Stainless Steel cladding hung from perimeter, car park.
http://i49.tinypic.com/33ykunk.png

Day 1

- Temporary fencing at the entrance at Queens Drive and Stephenson St.
- Hoardings erected in The Pallasades to block access from by Argos.
- Coleman & Co are the demolition contractors.
- Signage at Stephenson St to redirect motorists to the other NCP car park.
- It'll be fricking impossible to get a decent photo of the site apart from by Stephenson St. Unless you live in Stephenson Tower.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3879699550_e08ed25f00_o.jpg

What a mouthful (the title)....as the actress said to the bishop etc etc!

I love the idea of walking behind the Odeon and getting to where the ramp is now!

And for those visitors to this new thread unsure of what the refurbished station will look like....

TA-DA

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/cranberry/getdata_main.php?id=801

This title's a bit of a mashup. Not criticising you here Feltip but I think something more like: "Gateway Plus Phase 1 | New Street Station redevelopment | [Area covered] | U/C"

I think we all know where New Street Station is y'see. :)

But it's good to keep this one for construction and maintain the other for discussion about other developments at the station and phase 2.

Thanks for the shots CG. I'll be out and about tomorrow and I'll do a walk around the station - getting all the views of it that I can. :)

No point confusing Phases Erebus, not least a phase 1 and 2 and having endless discussions about towers and why they aren't being done. Phase 2 is the towers which by the time this is done can have their own thread as New Street towers or whatever they are called. This is just the construction for the station (properly titled Phase 1 or not). And going for specific area won't work as we'd end up with twenty odd subsections. Just a simple, if not simply titled, construction thread for New Street is the aim and New Street Station is necessary for our out of town visitors who might not read 'gateway' as train station.

True but this thread is pretty much covering the entire theme when you read the title. This thread and the one for towers will end up being used for the towers' construction. It would also help differentiate between the two threads whenever someone pops along to look at construction pictures. Anyway, no point turning this into a heated debate. :)

Oh, there's already pictures of it. EYESIGHT FAIL.

True but this thread is pretty much covering the entire theme when you read the title. This thread and the one for towers will end up being used for the towers' construction. It would also help differentiate between the two threads whenever someone pops along to look at construction pictures. Anyway, no point turning this into a heated debate. :)

Well we won't need to worry about that for a while. Station might be finished by the time towers come along and hopefully they'll have a catchy title - well we can but hope :)

Post article on works starting.


New Street embarks on £600m refurbishment
Sep 2 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post

The day that Birmingham feared might never happen finally arrived yesterday as work began on a £600 million refurbishment of New Street Station.

Years of campaigning for major improvements to the city’s main rail terminus paid off when the Government approved an ambitious scheme that will see the dank, 1960s-built station, transformed into a landmark 21st century transport hub.

Contractors moved on to the site to prepare for demolition of the NCP Pallasades lower car park, which will make way for a brand new concourse enclosed by a light-filled atrium.

The new station, due for completion in 2015, will be able to handle twice as many passengers.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “It’s an exciting time for the millions of users of New Street as the transformation of the station begins to move from a vision to a reality.

“Passengers are one step closer to a massively improved station which will be bigger, brighter and so much better.”


http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/09/02/new-street-embarks-on-600m-refurbishment-65233-24585813/

Oh, there's already pictures of it. EYESIGHT FAIL.

Don't worry, the post was editted at exactly the same time you posted yours. TIMING WIN!

I didn't quite get all the views that I wanted to because of some issues with security - I did expect that though when I left the house. Oh well, I'll keep picking away at it. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3882126382_b6bf1c49fb_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3882121798_55fa992253_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3881322119_fd7d18f310_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/3881329617_9ab36840e7_b.jpg

The ramp off Stephenson Street has also been closed off now with Coleman & Co. signs up.

good start tho

Do we know what will happne to the Pallasades? Id imagine they will keep the bridge that links it to the Bullring wont they?

The Pallasades will still exist, just the central area of shops will be removed for the enlarged concourse. The link will remain as it is an important pedestrian connection between this building and the BullRing.

Re: Erebus's photos. Can anyone tell me what they are planning on doing with the border/facades of the site building along station street? Are they keeping the stairs up to the station concorse level?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3881322119_fd7d18f310_b.jpg

.

...and to think some architect was proud of that! :ohno:

I can't think of a word bad enough to describe it.

I can't believe BCC have let people live for so long in Stephenson Tower - they should have blown it up in the first regeneration in the 80s.

Re: Erebus's photos. Can anyone tell me what they are planning on doing with the border/facades of the site building along station street? Are they keeping the stairs up to the station concorse level?

This is what they are doing.



http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x13/mikeyfox23/Buildings/Southern_view.jpg

So it looks like it'll be turned into a row at shops, at least partly anyway. I think the access will be altered or completely removed.

I'm planning to get some shots of the building around Stephenson Street but the number of people there will make it really difficult - if a little intimidating as well.

[QUOTE=Erebus555;42286316]So it looks like it'll be turned into a row at shops, at least partly anyway. I think the access will be altered or completely removed.

The existing stair tower, escalator and link to Stephenson's Tower car park will go, as will the link bridge to the Pallasades. There will be a couple of shop units, which may well go when the two towers get built - don't hold your breath - and a new road access into the Station. And of course the new steps up from the junction of Hill Street and Station Street to the new South entrance into the station.

Not much point in taking photos yet, there won't be much change externally until Easter next year.

The existing stair tower, escalator and link to Stephenson's Tower car park will go, as will the link bridge to the Pallasades. There will be a couple of shop units, which may well go when the two towers get built - don't hold your breath - and a new road access into the Station. And of course the new steps up from the junction of Hill Street and Station Street to the new South entrance into the station.

Aaah thanks for the info. :)

Not much point in taking photos yet, there won't be much change externally until Easter next year.

I'm not rushing! Though I am very snap happy.

I wonder how many of us will still be using these forums when this is complete in 2015 :nuts:

^^You'd have the same post count as I do now.... my post count would be in standard form.

I reckon I will still be using the forums by then, unless I die in the mean time!

I will unless I fall under a tram on Stephenson Street!

I will unless I fall under a tram on Stephenson Street!

You sure that would be before 2015? :lol:

Masshouse man will be collecting his pension.....

^^Or he will have made a bid to take over Carillion all by himself. :|

Anyway, back on topic. Woo New Street.

Hi everyone.

After looking around on the pallasades website, they're giving the impression nothing will change at all, obviously misleading.
What exactly will happen to the pallasades? Are they completely re building the whole thing? 'Sprucing' it up?
What 'Central Shops' are to go? Are we talking about the Subway & Starbucks adjacent to the escalators?

Is the pallasades work in Phase 2?

Also, Network Rail is saying the station will be fully operational for the duration of the works, but surely when they're gutting platforms they'll need to close them right?

Sorry to bombard with questions in one thread.

Hi everyone.

After looking around on the pallasades website, they're giving the impression nothing will change at all, obviously misleading.
What exactly will happen to the pallasades? Are they completely re building the whole thing? 'Sprucing' it up?
What 'Central Shops' are to go? Are we talking about the Subway & Starbucks adjacent to the escalators?

Is the pallasades work in Phase 2?

Also, Network Rail is saying the station will be fully operational for the duration of the works, but surely when they're gutting platforms they'll need to close them right?

Sorry to bombard with questions in one thread.

1. The pallasades website will not say much as the pallasades is now under birmingham council control and any changes are years away at the moment.

2. Most of the middle shops will be going only leaving the outer ring i believe which are the likes of tesco argos etc, if you have ever been to liverpool street station i imagine new street will be fairly similar as u will be able to look down on the station from the above shops creating a very open atmosphere which will also allow for the glass roof effect and more light to the concorse.

3. The pallasades may well be spruced up slightly but this will be mainly the external alterations, there is very little information about how it will look but i imagine now bcc own it they will be interested in improving the pallasades as its the first thing people see when they leave new street station.

4. Pallasades will be phase 2 as phase one is all about creating a new concourse so that the old concourse can be spruced up to look like the new one then opening the whole thing up when phase 2 is complete.

5. Most of the platform work will happen during bank holidays i believe, someone mentioned christmas / new year time during one of the years but i cant remember which year that is due, most likely to cause huge delays and ridculous amounts of replacement buses but it will have to be done.

Welcome to the forum anyway.

1. The pallasades website will not say much as the pallasades is now under birmingham council control and any changes are years away at the moment.

5. Most of the platform work will happen during bank holidays i believe, someone mentioned christmas / new year time during one of the years but i cant remember which year that is due, most likely to cause huge delays and ridculous amounts of replacement buses but it will have to be done.


To correct Brumsgrove's point about bank holidays etc for work on the platforms there will be no optimum time, work on the platform level will continue all through both phases of West and East concourse work while the station is still open. This has to happen not least as there is a lot more that needs to be done than could be managed during bank holidays alone (i.e. lift pits, escalator pits as there will be 43 in total, new shafts in concourse level for lifts, signage etc etc. The extension to Navigation Street bridge will supposedly take place during a Christmas blockade in 2010 although obviously timings are never guaranteed either is unforseen challenges (http://www.railpro.co.uk/issues/pdfs/changing_platforms.pdf).

On retail I posted an excerpt from Director of Property to Cabinet Member for Regeneration report about Unit 48 and 49 which Simon said is the MK One unit which shows the council will be doing work but mainly to keep revenue maintained while the station works are being done.


This report seeks to inform the Cabinet Member of progress in the granting of a new lease for Units 48 & 49 of the Pallasades shopping centre in which the City Council are long leaseholders.

Background
4.1 The City Council owns the long leasehold of the Pallasades shopping centre, which was acquired on 31st March 2009 to facilitate the redevelopment of New Street station, known as the Gateway Project as approved by full Cabinet authority on 2 February 2009.
4.2 The Gateway project will see the 1960s station undergo a dramatic transformation into a bright, modern transport hub, will double passenger capacity and redevelop and regenerate the area around the station include the Pallasades.
4.3 Birmingham Property Services is responsible for the letting of the shopping centre, with support from project partners Network Rail.
4.4 This commitment is in line with the Lettings Policy for the centre and will not impede on the delivery of the Gateway project.

Reason for Decison
To grant a new lease will mitigate loss of income for the Council, help to maintain the footfall through the centre and will allow for trader activity to be maintained in this area of the shopping centre.

why don't they do platform work at night like they do on the underground?

^^They may well do but there is also the issues of noise. The underground is... well underground. New Street Station's platforms are still pretty open so noise will reverberate out into the open - not nice for those living nearby!

So what's happening to ladywood house, will it be reclad pehaps? or just left as is? and the residential tower is that going too? It's not clear on the plans.

Residential tower is getting blown up.

^^ probably not literally though, i'd expect it to be taken down a little bit more carefully given the railway next door.

This is a smashing development for Birmingham, better than the Cube I think. Big city Stations are too scruffy and intimidating and need to be revamped and modernised so this is fab stuff. Hopefully it will be as good as they say it will be and last.

^^

So what's happening to ladywood house, will it be reclad pehaps? or just left as is? and the residential tower is that going too? It's not clear on the plans.

Ladywood House will be the base for the train operators running from the station as there won't be space for them with the station redesign. At best it might get it's windows cleaned but it's fairly maintained and unlikely to be spruced up significantly.

^^What was the deal with the refurb into a hotel? I've completely forgotten about that. :|

They might split the floors up so that the hotel can occupy the lower floors?

The hotel was refused planning permission. There would need to be another application. They refused it as part of CPO and Station Redevelopment requirements as the train operators needed a base within 5 minutes of station to replace the spaces they would lose in the redeveloped station and while the hotel would be beneficial it would compromise the plans for station redevelopment.

There's every chance part of space could be something else but more likely office space still as i'm not quite sure how much space the train operators will want.

Up in town yesterday I saw the Navigation Street entrance was closed off, does anyone know if this is to do with the works, or something else?

Up in town yesterday I saw the Navigation Street entrance was closed off, does anyone know if this is to do with the works, or something else?

probably more to do with the riot

Shame ladywood house is not getting a spruce up.

Residential tower is getting blown up.

I don't think it will be blown up, too many occupied properties too close to it. It will have to be taken down piece by piece.

Ladywood House will need a lot of work doing to it to comply with the new Part L of the Building Regulations, in the form of, at least, new energy saving windows, and new more energy efficient heating / cooling systems, whether it is offices or hotel. This will significantly change the appearance, probably. Whether anything gets done to the remainder of the elevations is anyone's guess.

I believe the work to the station is going to be done with one platform closed at a time, with 11 left open, starting from Platform 1.

You're right Newby - we'll just have to imagine the glorious sight of Stephenson Tower being blown to pieces.

Still if it's crunched up slowly we can enjoy that for longer.

I think the amount of noise being generated by the building work will be less than that from the diesel engines currently starting off from the station, and with Stephenson's Tower vacant, there won't be so many people living very close to the station. Apologies to those living in the flats on Hill Street, but they should have better noise attenuation than older properties, and I can't imagine that the air quality is good enough to have their windows open during the day!:nuts:

I think the amount of noise being generated by the building work will be less than that from the diesel engines currently starting off from the station, and with Stephenson's Tower vacant, there won't be so many people living very close to the station:

Rotunda residents? :lol:

Rotunda residents? :lol:

aint most the apartments a hotel anyway so thats not a big problem, just give the rest of them ear plugs.

^^Only the top two floors are the apart-hotel. All the floors below are apartments (except the podium of course).

Same goes for the Rotunda - the trains currently make more noise than the building works will, though of course the type and duration of noise may well be different.^^

^^Only the top two floors are the apart-hotel. All the floors below are apartments (except the podium of course).
I thought many of the other apartments are so called "serviced apartments", meaning they are rented out to people a night at a time... which is what I've always thought was called a hotel!

Slightly off-topic, but apparently Network Rail have decided to stop station announcements in the concourse. This has quite understandably angered people with sight problems, who are unable to read the monitors.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322273?thread=6873426%3Blatest=1

What do people think about this? There always do seem to be literally continuous announcements at New Street, and they are actually very clear and easy to hear. On the other hand, even though I'm someone who's generally bothered by noise (I always try to sit in the quiet coach of trains) I can't say I've ever been bothered by announcements at New Street - probably because there's nowhere comfortable to sit and do anything anyway! So I think the announcements should be reinstated, given that the change has taken independence from visually impaired people.

They could get rid of the pointless announcements such as the one telling people threre's "Closed-circuit television and remote video monitoring", and that "Any unattended articles may be removed without warning!"...

I thought many of the other apartments are so called "serviced apartments", meaning they are rented out to people a night at a time... which is what I've always thought was called a hotel!

Nope. Staying Cool operate the 19th floor and one penthouse on the 20th floor. There are 14 apartments on the 19th floor. These are the serviced apartments.

Martin G would have a ball about the announcements!! Then again he'd love the lack of them!

I was on the station last night and there were definitely platfom announcements being made. Maybe not so many as previously, but still there.:)

Right, back to construction.

Any picture updates? I did grab one of the fenced off car park entrance next to Navigation Street exit I will upload when I get chance.
Also anyone noticed all the boarded off bits in the Pallasades on side by Bodycare / Argos.

I was sitting outside The Shakespeare public house yesterday afternoon enjoying the weather and noticed the ceilings in Ladywood House were all stripped and all the ductwork was seen. This looks like an internal fit out is going on, but for offices?

It's been like that for a while - don't know if it is a work in progress or stopped altogether. Didn't someone say the train companies are going in there?

Yeah should be for offices for the rail companies. They are probably fitting them out ready for their relocation from the station to Ladywood House.

As promised, couple of updates. Car park entrance on Stephenson Street adjacent to Navigation Street entrance and the boarded up areas in Pallasades.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3426/pallasadeswork.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/pallasadeswork.jpg/)

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3532/newstreetdemstephst.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/i/newstreetdemstephst.jpg/)

And one from today:
http://i31.tinypic.com/fu76f9.jpg

I do not think there is any 'work' going on in Ladywood House yet. When the work starts there will be a full strip out of carpets, windows etc over a very short period, probably with scaffolding round the outside. I suspect they are only taking ceilings down to see what is there currently so the new can be designed. Anyone moving in will have to have new ceilings and energy efficient light fittings compliant with current regulations etc.. :chill:

As promised, couple of updates. Car park entrance on Stephenson Street adjacent to Navigation Street entrance and the boarded up areas in Pallasades.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3426/pallasadeswork.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/pallasadeswork.jpg/)

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3532/newstreetdemstephst.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/i/newstreetdemstephst.jpg/)

That last picture makes me happy - demolition and New St Stn :banana:

I really like Birmingham, but my trips there have always been mired by Purgatory St Station so I'm so happy that you guys get to have a decent station!

Will there be much improvement to the platform level?

Will there be much improvement to the platform level?

It will be very much decluttered as the waiting rooms will be removed and moved up to the concourse area where they'll be lighter, especially. New lighting, colours, and wall cladding will make it look a lot brighter. There will also be new escalators and lifts installed in the whole station so access to platforms and various other parts of the station will be a lot easier.

Will there be much improvement to the platform level?
It will be very much decluttered as the waiting rooms will be removed and moved up to the concourse area where they'll be lighter, especially. New lighting, colours, and wall cladding will make it look a lot brighter. There will also be new escalators and lifts installed in the whole station so access to platforms and various other parts of the station will be a lot easier.

So in other words no! You just might not need to spend to long there.

If they put the correct number of fluorescent tubes in each light fitting in the current station then it would be a lot brighter now!

The decluttering will help, as will new ceilings and better lighting, but the most important improvement would be geting rid of the diesel trains - bring on total electrification! The existing diesels make a mockery of any attempt to lighten up things, with a rapid covering of soot. Just go and look at Paddington Station next time you are in London - all the station arches were painted a pale blue colour 10 years ago, they are now all black again - almost all the engines there are diesel.

We can't have total electrification because the lines to places like Sheffield, Bristol and Reading rely on diesel. Network Rail are planning to electrify the Paddington to Swansea route as well as the Liverpool to Manchester line, but that's all for the forseeable future.

It will be good when we are able to see across the entire station at platform level :)

The ramp in the mid-left of photo #63 is a great spot to get a glimpse of the demolition - though Coleman were drilling away at the car park barriers today :confused.com:

We can't have total electrification because the lines to places like Sheffield, Bristol and Reading rely on diesel. Network Rail are planning to electrify the Paddington to Swansea route as well as the Liverpool to Manchester line, but that's all for the forseeable future.

Electrifying the midland mainline route is very much still on the agenda, and it wouldn't surprise me if a second term tory government gave the idea the green light. Afterall, the Thameslink portion of the line is already electrified and I have my suspicions that the bi-mode IEP will be an utter shambles forcing a proper re-think of long distance diesel trains.

The ramp in the mid-left of photo #63 is a great spot to get a glimpse of the demolition - though Coleman were drilling away at the car park barriers today :confused.com:

Until it's closed :|

That corner will become an entrance and the ramp will go by the looks of the images.

That and the fact they are putting up scaffolding for covers surrounding that works entrance so we may end up not seeing much at all :(

Couple from Thursday evening

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2474/17sep09newst1.th.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/17sep09newst1.jpg/)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7765/17sep09newst2.th.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/17sep09newst2.jpg/)

Can't wait to see the wrecking ball in action here. Hopfully the demolition team won't be briefed properly and the demolish the lot. fingers crossed

Snap from today showing the hoarding surrounding where the works are going on.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9015/26sep09newstreet1.th.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/i/26sep09newstreet1.jpg/)

Thanks Felty.

These buildings never fail to appall me. They are utterly vile.

Public exhibition for showcasing the latest plans for New Street:

People can express their views between Monday 12 and Friday 23 October using an online questionnaire. Alternatively they can ask their questions in person from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October at a public exhibition inside New Street station where Network Rail will showcase the plans and find out what people think.

Cheers for the info, GI! :)

There's a new visual of the interior on the renewstreet site. Clicking on the thumbnail takes you to the old one though

I can't find any renders on the site apart from the two background pics... unless that's what you are referring to?

media info > downloads > atrium

Thumbnail and image don't match. The big background interior picture is one of them

If you cant make it to the station between thurs and saturday, you can comment online if you look on this link.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5588.aspx

There is a have your say icon and a questionnaire to fill in!

media info > downloads > atrium

Thumbnail and image don't match. The big background interior picture is one of them

Oooh, very well spotted! Initially I thought it was just that the thumbnail was a cropped version with some bits looking a bit weird as a result but then you can quite clearly see that the escalator on the right hand side of the thumbnail is nowhere to be seen on the image - despite the fact we seem to be facing exactly the same direction in both.

If you cant make it to the station between thurs and saturday, you can comment online if you look on this link.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5588.aspx

There is a have your say icon and a questionnaire to fill in!

I went to that page and the image looked amazing!

Unfortunately I then realised that it shows King's Cross, and just happened to be in Network Rail's header.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/images/5584_Inside-atrium.jpg

So we've got these two renders:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/images/5584_Inside-atrium.jpg

http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/birmingham-new-st/images/4-new-street-station.jpg

I'm hoping the first is the due proposal, I'm liking the look of the floor. The roof bubbles look more rounded too...

Public exhibition for showcasing the latest plans for New Street:

People can express their views between Monday 12 and Friday 23 October using an online questionnaire. Alternatively they can ask their questions in person from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October at a public exhibition inside New Street station where Network Rail will showcase the plans and find out what people think.

Cameras at the ready :okay:

The rounded bubbles is more like what the plans show, but I suspect the escalators may have been moved to the West side of the Atrium

New Street Station’s £600 million redevelopment model goes on show
Oct 15 2009 by Adam Aspinall, Birmingham Mail

A SCALE model of the future of Birmingham New Street station goes on public display for the first time today.

The impressive design was unveiled at a reception in the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham last night and will form the centrepiece of an exhibition inside New Street station from today until Saturday.

Funded by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands and Centro, it is hoped the station will be transformed into a landmark, 21st century transport hub.

Built in 1967 to cater for 60,000 passengers each day, the station currently sees more 140,000 people using its services on a daily basis. Preparatory work has already begun on the £600 million redevelopment of the much-maligned station.

Designed to cope with growing passenger numbers, the new concourse is expected to open to the public in 2012. This will then be followed by the second phase, when the old concourse will be redeveloped to deliver a world-class station upon completion in 2015.

It is estimated that the re-development will bring more than £2.3 billion-worth of economic benefits to the city.

Richard Kirkman, Senior Commercial Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “The main aim of the new design is as much about the movement of people as the movement of trains. The old New Street has divided the city centre for far too long and we are aiming to re-connect the city centre by allowing pedestrians to walk through the atrium of the building 24/7.

“The new station will have eight entrances.”

Provisional work began last month and will eventually provide a concourse that is three-and-a-half times bigger than at present and enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium.


http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/10/15/new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-97319-24936314/

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/2/5/image-2-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-31699880.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/2/0/image-5-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-70110246.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/0/1/image-7-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-535386566.jpg

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-videos-pictures/birmingham-picture-galleries/2009/10/15/new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-97319-24937826/

Oh my good god, there's glass floors allowing ACTUAL NATURAL LIGHT TO GET TO THE PLATFORMS

What the fucking fuck? Natural light on New Street's platforms!? My brain can't even comprehend such an outlandish thing!

Got to go and check this out, the platform renders look great, very Selfridges!

looks like it has had a roof redesign to me, i'll go an have a look 2morrow after i finish work

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....AMAZING

i said about 2 years ago... 'If they cant open up the platsforms, why dont they just put a glass floor down... AND THEY HAVE!!!!!

amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^ Common sense prevails! :banana:

I'm really looking forward to this!

:banana: They finally did something with the light on the platforms - it may be only a small area but this will have a massive effect, I reckon! And, crikey! Don't them platforms look swish?

This is going to look amazing - and I think they are going for the Grand Central Station look with the roof in terms of how it allows the light in. I am very very excited. :)

who wouldnt be excited?!

^^Elizabeth Kinoke? :|

^^ :rofl:

Have to say looking very very nice indeed - what's going on at platform level with the reflection on the ceiling?...is it a mirrored ceiling? :naughty:

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/0/1/image-7-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-535386566.jpg


Look at those idiots standing at the bottom of a busy escalator, don't they know they could cause a virtual accident.

Looks good. Few more pics from the birmigham mail.

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/3/9/image-1-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-921406979.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/0/5/image-3-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-77036802.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/1/9/image-6-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-475887056.jpg

it looks great, and natural light what an amazing technological advance, we must be in the space age

Look at those idiots standing at the bottom of a busy escalator, don't they know they could cause a virtual accident.

"yow alroit bill, bloimy Oi remember when this station was a roit dump"
"Yow've not been down to the platforms yet then Oi take it????"

thing is even if this is a complete crushing disapointment, it'll still be better than the old one.

OMG it looks incredible!! It's so space-age it looks like something they dreamt up in 1974 that would have been the future of train travel in 1999! I do like that we are getting something towards the great glass arched glass roof and some transparency down to the platforms!!

The reporter was talking with someone from advantage west midlands who said this was not a project that was going to be held up by the economic downturn and its already ahead of schedule and may well be complete before the due date of 2015!

Stunning look, the white glossy curves are quite reminiscent of the plans for King's Cross

http://kingscrossstation.com/images/Kings_Cross_New_Concourse.jpg

so has no-one been to the consultation yet?

So we've got these two renders:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/images/5584_Inside-atrium.jpg

http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/birmingham-new-st/images/4-new-street-station.jpg

I'm hoping the first is the due proposal, I'm liking the look of the floor. The roof bubbles look more rounded too...

I think I prefer the rugged "dinosaur rib-cage" look of the older picture - although when you look closely is still has the uniformlty of the newer model.

Not complaining though.

The model is now in the middle of the station by the Pallisades escalators, most people seemed to be moaning about the lack of increased platforms or tracks coming in or out of the station, one old bloke even said, when are they going to knock it down.

Apart from a small bit of backing info, there isn't much else there.

is there plans to have ticket inspectors like they do at new street at the moment?

There will be ticket barriers, leading into sectioned off areas of the concourse with seating and escalators down to the platforms.

the only thing I would to see something else done with are these horrible walls. Anyone know if there are any plans for them?

http://i35.tinypic.com/ioi70n.jpg

Back to the construction...well demolition I suppose.

Hoardings are placed behind the road learning school prior to demolition.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/4017779634_c68c00bc17_o.jpg

i was at the model in the station 2day, its amazing how little people know about the station, and how much less the people who are telling them about the model know. both of them didnt know which side was the usual birmingham - london side and wolves side. found myself getting asked about the model by people instead.

Anyway the info: the bits in the pic that have the screens on the outside are called "the eyes"

there will be 2sets of lifts to each platform, most platforms will have 2 escalators apart from some for fire regs and space reasons, there will be stairs at all platforms

there will be a big hole in the floor letting natural light down

they seem really impressed about the rib cage thats all they wanted to talk about.

the full concourse will be the length of 2 football pitches

the shops on the upper level will overlook the station and u'll be able to know info about ur train some how...i never got what she said propa at that part, but thats what she said

there will be 8 new entrances, i count 5 new ones but it depends what they define as new i suppose, i think we have 3 now right?

once the car park is done it will open to the public (its will be larger than the current concourse) which will then close for 2yrs.

they didnt say this but kept talking about the kiss and ride when i asked about car parking, so i assume there will be no short stay.

the metro is still planned to go passed the one side.

ermmm, thats all they said really. not much on platform level, makes me think its not really sorted yet, just the hole, new signage and lighting down there and they are pushing this idea of no1 on the platform untill the train is approaching or waiting to approach.

Can you take photos of the model? i'm planning to visit tomorrow.

It's shamefully not the first time we've had consultations or launches where we seem to know more than those supposedly in the know. Do they not do research before launches, consultations etc?

Can you take photos of the model? i'm planning to visit tomorrow.

It's shamefully not the first time we've had consultations or launches where we seem to know more than those supposedly in the know. Do they not do research before launches, consultations etc?

Yeah, I went to one about 1 Snow Hill Plaza.

The bloke there knew nothing.............











........only joking Woodie! :)

Has anyone got the floorplans for the new internal layout at all? Can't seem to find them on the birmingham.gov.uk planning site

i thought i was damn good at that public consultation

Went to the consultation. One thing has made me really happy, (i know i've not stopped moaning about it since we have discussed the redevelopment), is there will be public toilets on the concourse side and the public non-ticket side.

With regard to the 8 entrances and public access 24/7 she said the only route kept open 24/7 linked to security and safety would be the north-south public right of way which will be at ground level.

Some photos of the model and two images from the flythrough for comparison.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM10.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM11.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM12.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM17.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM3.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM4.jpg

Few more.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM5.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM6.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM7.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM8.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM9.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsnr10.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsnr8.jpg

so elegant... so demure... NOT

This is going to be quiet something when complete, I just wish the office building ontop was part of the design it just looks so crap with absolutely no relation to the new station's architecture. I just don't get why its been so blatently ignored do they think it will just disappear into the background?

Is there anything they can actually do about it? I don't think they even own it...

Not sure? What were British Rail thinking selling an office building ontop of the station anyway? I'm sure FOA would do wonders to the building if they were allowed too.

Some of my notes -
that's a serious overhang of the "eye" over Navigation St
it looks like they are just cladding the extg high level multistorey carpark with the curves
ditto the newest bridge of extg structure (entrance from Nav St)
good to see the walkway behind the Odeon (is that the north / south route that felty said was only 24/7?)

Is there anything they can actually do about it? I don't think they even own it...

I believe it is owned by Network Rail.

I guess the need for a base for the train operators and the budget and the lack of wholesale rebuilding of the station means they have kept it.

Went to the consultation. One thing has made me really happy, (i know i've not stopped moaning about it since we have discussed the redevelopment), is there will be public toilets on the concourse side and the public non-ticket side.
But will you have to pay to use them? I haven't used the toilets at New Street for very many years, since I was child. Since, in fact, they started to charge. If there's time, I go up to the free toilets in the Pallasades. I think at least the "airside" toilets should be free for passengers. After all, the reason they charge is to stop undesirable people using them for illicit purposes (but again, the Pallasades manages not to charge).

Thanks for the photos. Look how gloomy the platforms look though, even on the model!

it looks like they are just cladding the extg high level multistorey carpark with the curves
ditto the newest bridge of extg structure (entrance from Nav St)
good to see the walkway behind the Odeon (is that the north / south route that felty said was only 24/7?)
The whole design is pretty much the existing building with curvy cladding, after all (plus a few internal changes).

I've said it before (probably more than once) but it really reminds me of the Pink Panther cartoon The Pink Blueprint:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmF2xrKuOXU
Watch the closing moments of it to see what I mean! :lol:

you mustn't have used the pallasades toilets for a while, they've started charging for them too,

before it was 20p which wasn't great but could be worse but they're now 30p. You wouldn't mind if they were deluxe and nice but they're average.

i thought i was damn good at that public consultation

So did I Woodie...:hug:


Thanks for the pictures Felty. I think it's great apart from two things....

The RAMP........ :down:


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM17.jpg


....and those bleedin' awful walls! :gaah:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM9.jpg

Why won't they build over the tracks there and spare us all from the nightmare?

no idea....... probably too expensive.... it would be very expensive to build a building over the top of it, and the monetry return of building a square over it wouldnt be worth the cost

Problem with the ramp is the 2.56 million people who walk up and down it every hour, when they open another 4 entrances, it'll be a lot quieter and it'll be fine. If a little ugly.

Talking of which, main entrance is opposite the HSM, it'll be the first thing they see, excellent!

So did I Woodie...:hug:


Thanks for the pictures Felty. I think it's great apart from two things....

The RAMP........ :down:


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM17.jpg




In an ideal world... The HSBC building with McDonalds in it should be dropped completely, and the area on that side of the station opened into a small square. They wouldn't need to demolish the back of Waterstones to extend the Metro that way. It would get rid of that god awful ramp (which will be used a lot less when the station is complete anyway, lets not forget!) and open up that entire area, and provide even better access to the Bullring from that part of town.

In an ideal world the above proposal wouldn't exist at all because we'd have a sympathetically upgraded victorian station...

Hell, in an ideal world wouldn't need trains because we'd all have wings or jetpacks or non-polluting indestructible automated private jets

Hell, in an ideal world wouldn't need trains because we'd all have wings or jetpacks or non-polluting indestructible automated private jets

Are you always this cheerful? ;)

Instead of building a building over the voids cant the council transform it into a huge public square? Probaly too expensive but if not I think lowering the walls so you can see onto the track and the station would be much better for the area.

They probably can't lower the walls cos of the risk of people falling/jumping onto the tracks or something, and covering over the holes would actually increase the already bad problems of soot in the station itself. However I think it would be worth it to not have such unwelcoming streets directly outside the station.

They probably can't lower the walls cos of the risk of people falling/jumping onto the tracks or something, and covering over the holes would actually increase the already bad problems of soot in the station itself. However I think it would be worth it to not have such unwelcoming streets directly outside the station.
Don't some of the plans in circulation show trees and greenery planted on those streets and bridges? Improving the streetscape would make a huge difference even if they are still just as walled in.

Ironically, these are some of the remaining elements of the old Victorian New Street station that people keep wishing we still had. From photos, many parts of the old station actually look quite grim, even if the train sheds were amazing. If the Victorian station was still there, people would no doubt have been complaining about it for a long time, just as they have the 60s monstrosity (although of course it could now be given the St Pancras treatment and become a 21st century station, instead of a 60s station wrapped in curvy material).

Has anyone seen any GOOD renders of what we can expect on platform level, or is that going to be pretty much what we have at the moment.

Biggest waste of time and plastic.

I'm off for a pint!:cheers:

Instead of building a building over the voids cant the council transform it into a huge public square? Probaly too expensive but if not I think lowering the walls so you can see onto the track and the station would be much better for the area.

Network Rail would never allow that as all bridges over railway lines have to have solid parapets of that size and scale.

To get rid of those walls we'd have to have an open square or shops fronting the streets.

The '60's carbunkle exacerbated the impact of those walls because they moved Queens Drive from the junction at the corner. Up until that point the walls had more of a bridge feel about them. Afterwards, the walls just dominated the whole junction.

I do find that actual 3d models always help me understand the construction much better. But surely the guys who did this one could have clubbed together and got a pot of silver paint?? It looks far too clinical in white.

And as for the people describing the new station...... :bash:

i think it would be a massive improve,emt if you were able to plant trees along the street itself... (anywhere along it would do) and maybe even replace the concrete with some form of toughened glass/plastic... this would lighten up the street and soften the appearence and not feel so boxed in.... and even if it did, atleast people would know why they are boxed in. its suprising to me how many people dont realise they are walking over train lines there!

According to the person I was talking to, the South part of the void gets filled in, the walls around it get taken down and its turned into a public space, as well as the additional building. Moving all the existing taxi / short stay car park frees up quite a lot of space, so it should be a lot more open and 'user friendly' May even have some trees....

There was also talk of a competition to provide some public art to cover the remaining walls around the void and make them look somewhat less obnoxious than they do currently. Mind if they become another pile of bricks or a plastic cow then I don't see the point personally. (I just don't get modern art) Something like Amsterdams elephants woudn't be too bad though it would need to be extended throughout the city centre.

As well as the toughened glass idea, I don't see why a few lightweight retail units couldn't be cantilevered off the bridges and roads around the voids to provide at least some active useage for passers by. There have been much bigger engineering feats achieved.

As well as the toughened glass idea, I don't see why a few lightweight retail units couldn't be cantilevered off the bridges and roads around the voids to provide at least some active useage for passers by. There have been much bigger engineering feats achieved.

That's exactly what I was thinking of as well as cutting the corner back to create a small public space

http://i33.tinypic.com/21mxg0n.jpg

Quick update from today. Platform one has been closed off to the public and services have been routed to other platforms. I think its due to site surveying although i only glanced at what the board said.

Something on that corner would be good, and just an attractive wall elsewhere (glass will get scratched).

As well as the toughened glass idea, I don't see why a few lightweight retail units couldn't be cantilevered off the bridges and roads around the voids to provide at least some active useage for passers by. There have been much bigger engineering feats achieved.
Putting retail units above the railway lines to improve them. That sounds somehow familiar. Didn't they try that in the 60s? ;)

I was thinking of some retail along those walkways too - on the lines of a slimline coffee bar with lots of barstools and a long newspaper / magazine kiosk.

Well they're definitely widening the Navigation street bridge aren't they? And using the extra width to widen the pavements rather than provide any retail, but it does mean we'll get new walls at the very least.

According to the person I was talking to, the South part of the void gets filled in, the walls around it get taken down and its turned into a public space, as well as the additional building. Moving all the existing taxi / short stay car park frees up quite a lot of space, so it should be a lot more open and 'user friendly' May even have some trees....

Yeah, it's clearly visible in the model and in the images we've seen so far.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM5.jpg

that last photo also shows a brand new walkway to go underneath the Odeon

Good spot! :banana:

Does anyone remember the old railway carriage that was set into the rear of the old Midland (now the Burlington) Hotel and was used, I think, as a bar?
A bit wacky I know but I can visualise an old carriage replacing the corner wall on Navigation Street and being used as a coffee shop - with street view one side and track view on the other!

There's going to be a walkway going underneath the Odeon?! Where is that going to emerge at? We're just reverting back to the subway days... :ohno:

There's going to be a walkway going underneath the Odeon?! Where is that going to emerge at? We're just reverting back to the subway days... :ohno:

I don't think he meant literally under it, think he meant below it along the back wall towards the Rotunda.

one of the 8 entrances maybe?

http://i27.tinypic.com/xp8qqg.gif

yep look... its a new entrance ...seems this one passed us by!

She certainly gets around :lol:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/john_Birmingham/5584_Inside-atrium-1.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/john_Birmingham/etnahouse-1.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/xp8qqg.gif

yep look... its a new entrance ...seems this one passed us by!

No. It's been discussed, certainly on the old New Street Thread.

There's an existing, albeit private passage where part of the route will go. You can see part of it if you go down passage behind exchange house.

I think an innovative approach to the walls would definately add something to station's approach, a square just won't happen but some interesting lighting and pehaps making the walls more open and less brutal would do wonders.

:lol: Great spot bde! I don't even wanna know how you noticed that one!

:lol: Great spot bde! I don't even wanna know how you noticed that one!

I take my renders VERY seriously :angel:

Does anyone remember the old railway carriage that was set into the rear of the old Midland (now the Burlington) Hotel and was used, I think, as a bar?
A bit wacky I know but I can visualise an old carriage replacing the corner wall on Navigation Street and being used as a coffee shop - with street view one side and track view on the other!

Good idea Jon!! It was called the Arms Park I think - don't know why it was named after Cardiff but I remember walking past it a lot and thinking it was a real train!! I also saw Joe Frazier (ask your dad you youngsters!!) walk out of it when I was kid!

Yep! I remember the old railway carriage. I thought it was great when I was a nipper. I really liked the old Burlington Arcade - a sad loss as it had a real feel of times gone by - in a good way.

As with most things historical in this place though it met the fate of the wrecking ball.

The Burlington Arcade was demolished?! I just thought they refurbed it by sticking a glass roof on it?! :?

Ian Allen Bookstore on Navigation St is moving to the old SPCK shop on Ethel St this week, presumably as the old unit will be removed in the redevelopment?

She certainly gets around :lol:


It's masshouse mans wife. She's going to build New St all by herself...

With regards to the bridge. Couldn't they replace the concrete with some thick curvy metal girders inset with some glass (to stop detritus being blown onto the tracks) to at least show what's beneath the bridge whilst providing some modicum of strength should a car plough into it at the mega-high speeds one can drive around the city centre?

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM2.jpg

That's a magificent curve - bring's out one of the assets of the existing structure.

Tender for the roof


Network Rail seeks supplier for Birmingham New Street station roof
20 October, 2009 | By Mark Hansford

Network Rail is seeking expressions of interest for the contract for the supply and installation of an ETFE roof to an atrium that shall be formed to the existing shopping centre above Birmingham New Street Railway Station.


The contract includes the erection of the structural steel framework that supports the 100m long by 50m wide ETFE roof, as well as the finishes to the steel work as required, and associated insulation. The scope includes interfacing with mechanical and electrical services contractors. Design of the works will be carried out by the project’s lead consultant and concept architect.

The contract is estimated at between £4M and £7M and will run from July 2010 to December 2011.

Interested firms must have successfully carried out previous ETFE roofing works of contract values in excess of £3M and have an annual turnover of £15M. Firms must have been established for a minimum of five years and need to provide evidence of a strong record in the delivery of ETFE / atrium roofs or similar structures.

The contract is part of the wider redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station.

http://www.nce.co.uk/news/structures/network-rail-seeks-supplier-for-birmingham-new-street-station-roof/5209711.article#

The Burlington Arcade was demolished?! I just thought they refurbed it by sticking a glass roof on it?! :?

No, they ripped out all the shops and removed most of the arcade.

The part we still have was a gently sloping ramp, very narrow with a tailors shop, Rizzo hairdressers and a couple of other shops including the railway carriage cafe.

There was then also another arcade that went at a "T" all the way to Wotsit St (can't remember the name) where Flannels other door exits to the street.

This was equally narrow and had two entrances to Hudsons bookshop (became Dillons) and a few other little shops - including a currency exchange booth and a lovely little coins and stamp merchant called Margoschis.

All that got trashed. Sad really.

I remember too much sometimes, I worry myself!

Are there any plans to have a metro linking up with merry hill still?

Ladbrokes is moving to Lower Temple St/Stephenson St corner according to the licence application in the windows. Opposite Diesel.

No, they ripped out all the shops and removed most of the arcade.

The part we still have was a gently sloping ramp, very narrow with a tailors shop, Rizzo hairdressers and a couple of other shops including the railway carriage cafe.

There was then also another arcade that went at a "T" all the way to Wotsit St (can't remember the name) where Flannels other door exits to the street.

This was equally narrow and had two entrances to Hudsons bookshop (became Dillons) and a few other little shops - including a currency exchange booth and a lovely little coins and stamp merchant called Margoschis.

All that got trashed. Sad really.

I remember too much sometimes, I worry myself!

Yes I remember that narrow arcade too. It was also an entrance to the V&A Bar (upstairs was nice and relaxing while downstairs was a bit rowdy in the mid to late 80s). Pass me the Werthers lol!

Are there any plans to have a metro linking up with merry hill still?
http://sweetsamoa.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/pie-in-the-sky.png

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSM2.jpg

That's a magificent curve - bring's out one of the assets of the existing structure.

And just what assets do you consider the existing moment connection frame has? Its a rectangular box adjusted to fit over the platforms below. The new Atrium and the cladding will give some relief to the boxiness of the building, at last.

^^I think Bio is referring to the nice sweeping curve along the south side of the station. They are keeping that and making it into an integral part of the design. It's currently difficult to notice the curve because all the car park business is in the way of the view!

Precisely - it is one feature (the only one?) that harks back to the old station - the one station was straight and the other curved. :)

Unfortunately it's also one feature of the old station that was bad. Curved platforms are a problem for modern long trains.

is there any news with this?!?!?!?

Yes, we're all just keeping it secret from you.

i wouldnt expect anymore from you ILC..... ;)

From what I hear, on a sunny day in a week or so's time it might be worth a walk down the canal towpath beside Small Heath Station , with a camera and sunglasses.

Just a reminder .

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/news-gallery/2009/10/15/new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-97319-24937826/

From what I hear, on a sunny day in a week or so's time it might be worth a walk down the canal towpath beside Small Heath Station , with a camera and sunglasses.

Care to enlighten? :)

Is there going to be cladding Mock-up? In Small Heath? Or am I just reading into his comment a bit too much...

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/2/0/image-5-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-70110246.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/6/9/image-4-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-714190775.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/oct2009/2/5/image-2-for-new-street-station-s-600-million-redevelopment-model-goes-on-show-gallery-31699880.jpg

:banana:

If this weather keeps up, it may be worth leaving it a little longer.

From what I hear, on a sunny day in a week or so's time it might be worth a walk down the canal towpath beside Small Heath Station , with a camera and sunglasses.

It might be useful to be a bit more precise on time.

The thought of loitering around the canal in Small Heath with a camera and sunglasses doesn't sound the best of ideas....:shifty:

...and high-collared overcoat, Panama hat and leather gloves...

I hear that the detailed planning application has gone in for this now! :)

From what I hear, on a sunny day in a week or so's time it might be worth a walk down the canal towpath beside Small Heath Station , with a camera and sunglasses.


what on earth does that mean?

I hear that the detailed planning application has gone in for this now! :)

fabulous

Link to the application:
http://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/DocumentExplorer/Application/FolderView.aspx?type=eplprod_DC_PLANAPP&key=387688

Friday 20th November 2009

NETWORK RAIL SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION FOR BIRMINGHAM GATEWAY PROJECT

The next step in the transformation of Birmingham New Street station was taken today with the submission of the detailed planning application to Birmingham City Council.

Since outline consent was granted in 2007, the team has been working behind the scenes to further develop the plans, incorporating feedback from across the city so that the Gateway project provides the best solution for passengers, Birmingham and the region.

Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, said, "Birmingham is home to world class design so we have to deliver a station that is visionary and adds to this great architectural heritage. Our plans for New Street will further enhance the growing reputation of Birmingham and improve the travelling experience for the millions of passengers who use the station every year."

The planning application follows a public exhibition held by Network Rail last month where people had the chance to provide their comments on the design. Over 2,000 people visited the exhibition and over 600 questionnaires were returned.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 91% of respondents agreeing that the design was an improvement on the current station. Other key findings include:

- 90% ranked improving accessibility for disabled passengers and those with luggage or buggies as important or very important;

- 86% of respondents ranked creating more entrances to the station as important or very important;

- 86% also ranked as important or very important creating more space for people to wait for their train.

The Gateway project will transform New Street into a 21st century transport hub, create a stunning new building for the city and region and provide a major stimulus for the regeneration of the areas surrounding the station.

The project is backed by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands, Centro and the Department for Transport.

Notes to editors:

1. The £600m Gateway project will see 1960s-built New Street station transformed into a bright, modern, 21st century focal point for Birmingham. It will double passenger capacity and deliver:

* a concourse that is three-and-a-half times bigger than at present, enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium
* more accessible, brighter and clearer platforms, reached by new escalators and new lifts
* a stunning new station facade, adding to Birmingham's growing reputation for good design
* better links to and through the station for pedestrians, with eight entrances
* a major stimulus for the physical regeneration of the areas surrounding the station

Phase 1 of the Gateway project will see a brand new concourse built in a former car park next to the station. This concourse is expected to open in 2012 and preparatory work to clear the site started in September 2009. Phase 2 will then see the existing concourse closed for redevelopment. The project is expected to complete in 2015.

2. The Gateway project is backed by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands, Centro and the Department for Transport. It will be delivered by Network Rail.

3. Further information on the results of the public exhibition can be found at www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk.

4. The full application and supporting documents will be publicly published by Birmingham City Council, beginning a formal consultation period of at least 28 days. During this period members of the public will be able to view the application and submit any views they wish members of the planning committee to consider ahead of deciding upon the application. Copies of the planning application can be viewed by visiting Birmingham City Council's planning department on the 9th Floor, Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street, or by logging onto www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningonline (reference number: 2009/05720/pa)

5. New Street in numbers:

* 40m - people who use New Street every year
* 140,000 - passengers using the station every day
* 60,000 - the amount of passengers per day New Street was designed to cater for when it was rebuilt in 1967
* £2.3bn - the economic benefits of New Street station redevelopment
* £350m - the amount Network Rail is investing in renewing the signalling systems through New Street and the West Midlands over the next ten years


http://www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk/press_releases/

Excellent news and thanks for those Brumsgrove! :)

I'm gunna be up all night reading this, me thinks.

Just seen the listings of a metro station in new street :D

^^There was always a plan to have a Metro stop on Stephenson Street, just next to the station. It was proposed in the outline planning application back in 07. :)

I'm struggling to get my head round the concourse plan in relation to how it is today. It's all gone! It's literally all changed.

I had a good read through the plan for the walls surrounding the voids and they seem very thorough. Most will be clad in grey granite, with two being selected for public art works and the top of another to be incorporated into one of the art works. Some of the ones to the west of the station will be cleaned and generally tidied up, especially the one by the Signal Box as it has to preserve the setting of the listed building. For the walkway running behind the Odeon, they will create a new wall made from plate glass with stainless steel supports. The wall running from Smallbrook Queensway along the entrance road to the current car park will be faced in grey granite and have the name of the station on them in stainless steel.

Further details of the proposals will be submitted by December 15th. :)

I just had a read through the wall document myself lol. Yeah everything seems to be proposed as grey which worries me a little but at least they are tidying it all up and treating the surface. I like the idea of new street station being written in big stainless steel letters on one of the walls, gives the station better identitiy.

I wouldn't be too worried about the colour scheme really. Granite is a very high quality material and so this will really be reflected as opposed to the colour. It'll weather much much better than concrete, especially.

Also interesting to note the various bits and bobs in the planning app regarding future expansion of facilities. On the layout plan, there are area's designated for the future installation of escalators if needs be, and additional provision of cycle parking on the west side of the station (between the ramp and station building itself). Also liking the idea of changing facilities for cyclists to encourage people to cycle there.

Also interesting to note the various bits and bobs in the planning app regarding future expansion of facilities. On the layout plan, there are area's designated for the future installation of escalators if needs be, and additional provision of cycle parking on the west side of the station (between the ramp and station building itself). Also liking the idea of changing facilities for cyclists to encourage people to cycle there.

Very interesting i hadn't spotted that. Its a shame there isnt a provision for adding extra lines into the station but i guess thats pretty much impossible now.

This might help everyone understand what we are on about when we are talking about walls.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/4120287500_3383f53d3b_o.jpg

Very interesting i hadn't spotted that. Its a shame there isnt a provision for adding extra lines into the station but i guess thats pretty much impossible now.

Yeah, unless they tried deep tunnelling which is immensely expensive. The closest thing I could find to adding extra lines was the provision of space for extending the east dock by Platform 12. :|

Liking this news. I think the day this will hit home for me, will be the start of demolishion on Stephenson Tower. Can't wait.

Reading some of the comments from the public consultation is brilliant. Here are some of the best ones:

"EASTSIDE! EASTSIDE! EASTSIDE!"

"Bin them and start again."

"Can this possibly be the first building to be 'on time' and 'on budget'??"

"i hope it will look nice it will. yeh" - Was this person 5?

"It is good to see investment plans outside London. There is a need for many more."

"Pallasades needs to go! replace it will bullring 2!"

"The atrium space looks a bit minimalist. Will there be anything in it?"

And there are an awful lot about the lack of improvements to train capacity and the bottlenecks at either end of the station. Many moot constructing a new station elsewhere or reopening Curzon Street for local services.

Interesting bits.

2. Existing track capacity / number of platforms
Around 60 people made comments about the perceived limitations of existing
track/platform capacity, with a number suggesting that the redevelopment of
New Street was simply “cosmetic”.
A report commissioned by the Department for Transport on rail capacity in the
West Midlands (Birmingham and West Midlands Rail Capacity Review,
Department for Transport, 2006) found there was sufficient rail capacity for a
120% growth in passenger numbers at New Street station (based on 2004
numbers). However, this growth would be constrained by a lack of passenger
handling capacity, i.e. space at concourse and platform level.
Moreover, the report found that passengers would continue to want to travel
to a station at the heart of the city centre, concluding that significant changes
would be needed at New Street to allow for this growing demand rather than
creating a new station in a less central part of the city.
The Gateway project is designed to alleviate the problem of passenger
congestion and to ensure that people can travel into the heart of the city for
many years to come.

4. Integrated public transport
Over 40 people made comments about the importance of integrated public
transport including cycling provision.
Many requested increased cycle storage, improved links to Moor Street
station and local bus services, better drop off / pick up provision and
integration with the proposed Metro extension.
Integration of services is at the heart of the Gateway project. As part of the
scheme, the access points for vehicles will be reconfigured. Taxi drop-off,
passenger pick-up/drop-off, disabled parking and short stay parking will be
accessed from Hill Street. Taxi rank and pick up access will be from
Smallbrook Queensway.
Storage for 24 bicycles is currently available. This will increase to 52 with
provision made for expansion to meet future demand. The new stands will be
in a covered location in the West of the station building adjacent to the new
pick-up/drop-off zone.
Provision to accommodate the Metro extension has been made in the design,
and the proposed route along Stephenson Street will interface with the new
North-Eastern entrance.

--

Design and Access Statement has gone up in the last hour or so. Interesting reading - especially into why the current design of station failed to be future-proofed. :)

Just seen the listings of a metro station in new street :D
Well, John Madin's 70s Central Library had a bus station, you know!

I had a good read through the plan for the walls surrounding the voids and they seem very thorough. Most will be clad in grey granite, with two being selected for public art works and the top of another to be incorporated into one of the art works. Some of the ones to the west of the station will be cleaned and generally tidied up, especially the one by the Signal Box as it has to preserve the setting of the listed building.

I've always sort of liked the old Victorian brick walls when going into the station. That's what railway architecture should look like, as far as I'm concerned. So I'm glad they'll be retaining some of them.

Or perhaps it's just that the whole station is so dire that anything other than concrete alongside looks good.

I know what you mean. Victorian architecture and railways just go hand in hand because of the history between them but, alas, we cannot do that nowadays. At least they're going for a stunning design still for the site! :)

anything on the project to improve the link between Moor Street / New Street along the tunnel? There was supposed to be a separate couple million pound project looking at it but not sure who was funding it. Be nice if it was linked into this.

^^Well, there's just a mention of creation a cantilevered walkway abutting but not touching the Odeon cinema but no other mention of what will happen beyond it.

well i think we can forgive them for now ;)
hopefully it's still being looked at by someone.

A few images from the Design Access Statement to keep us going. I don't think my computer will cope trying to get the better images up.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/BNSb1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/NSa1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/bsf7.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsc2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsd4.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nse6.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsg8.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsh9.jpg

The glare report looks interesting but a lot of it goes over my head, partly as it's this late.

Here's the last paragraph though


The glare tests have identified that direct reflections occur from the façade, and due to its complex and reflective nature this is likely to be unavoidable. These reflections could interfere with the use of visual display equipment. Given that the glare scenarios tested did not produce results showing uncomfortable levels of glare, significant periods of high level discomfort glare seem unlikely. For this reason further detailed studies are not deemed to be necessary.

The interior is such a leap forward for Birmingham, the architecture I'm sure will be stunning too.

Really like this new eastern sqaure especially considering we have all been on about the lack of open spaces in birmingham. Plus the new walk way is visible and looks like we have some greenery between it and the odean which should improve the area.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsc2.jpg

That looks a lot better and the Odeon walkway is a nice addition.However ,there is one thing that is quite evident there ; the cladding is just a strip around the front .I mistakingly thought it would cover the roof .

We can also see the station signage along the wall .

It won't cover the roof mainly due to the cost of needing to produce even more cladding panels but also because the roof will have to be strengthened - they are going to do some strengthening work for the addition of new plant machinery such as stuff which will be used to clean the facade.

I'm not sure if that green on the image is actually ground. In feltip's render looking along the walkway, it appears as a wall or hedge.

Filling that void makes a massive difference

Shame that the void with walls numbered 8,9,10 couldn't be done too. It'd release a Victoria sq sized piece of land.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2575/4120287500_3383f53d3b_o.jpg

There's skylights bringing some natural light down to the platforms :)

Yeah, noticed them last time they released some platform level renders, I think all in all it'll be a good refurbishment. Just a shame it'll look so hideous externally.

it looks stunning from the outside ...even if it does remind me of the flight of the navigator!

i cant help but think whether you like the design or not, everyone can see the massive improvement this will bring to our city

im loving the lighting details proposed in the d&a

Really like this new eastern sqaure especially considering we have all been on about the lack of open spaces in birmingham. Plus the new walk way is visible and looks like we have some greenery between it and the odean which should improve the area.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsc2.jpg

I hope that some thought goes into the public realm at this entrance - looks a bit empty from this image. I hate walking out of New Street from the "front" and seeing the the bland frontage of the Bullring.

So if the front is going to be pedestrianised, where do the taxis and cars go?

There will be a 'kiss and drive' point and taxi rank outside the Hill st entrance.

There will be a 'kiss and drive' point and taxi rank outside the Hill st entrance.

Fair enough, but hope its big enough...its all very well paving over the roads here there and everywhere, but it is essential that folk can drop off loved ones in the car if required also...

The taxi drop off will be near the new Hill Street entrance to the footbridge, access from Hill Street. The taxi pick up will be much bigger further along what is now Queens Drive, with access from Queensway. The two will be separated by the new stairs down to Station Street / Hill Street junction. This will become the new major entrance from the South side of the station

The public drop off will be accessed from from Hill Street, with a new ramp onto what was the car park, and exit onto Navigation Street. The existing ramp up to the car park from Navigation Street will become the access to and exit from the new short stay car park.

im loving the lighting details proposed in the d&a

What proposals are they Woody? Or what site are they on?

From today's Post .

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=new-street-station-won-t-be-demolished-in-redevelopment%26method=full%26objectid=25268788%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

Yet again, the BP seem to be telling us old news.

They obviously didn't pay much attention to the plans when they were "campaigning" for the approval of funding.

Really like this new eastern sqaure especially considering we have all been on about the lack of open spaces in birmingham. Plus the new walk way is visible and looks like we have some greenery between it and the odean which should improve the area.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b141/Feltip/Planning%20Images/nsc2.jpg

.... the only problem with that image is that they've conveniently left of the overhead power cables .... still think this area will look a mess, IMO.

Nobody is going to be tall enough to see over the big granite faced walls they're replacing the concrete ones with anyway.

there was loads of contruction workers in orange hi viz jackets in and around new street today taking measurments and looking at plans etc.

From today's Post .

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=new-street-station-won-t-be-demolished-in-redevelopment%26method=full%26objectid=25268788%26siteid=65233-name_page.html (http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=new-street-station-won-t-be-demolished-in-redevelopment%26method=full%26objectid=25268788%26siteid=65233-name_page.html[/QUOTE)

New Street Station won't be demolished in redevelopment

Nov 27 2009 (http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-transport-news/2009/11/27/) By Paul Dale
Comments (6) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom)
Recommend (1) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/#none)



Network Rail has revealed it won’t be knocking down Birmignham's New Street station as part of redevelopment plans.

New Street Station’s grimy concrete exterior will be disguised rather than knocked down when the £600 million Gateway scheme gets underway next year, planners have revealed.

Contractors aim to bolt a new reflective stainless steel and glass structure on to the outside of the station in order to avoid costly and disruptive demolition.

When the project is completed in 2015, a towering six-storey atrium at the centre of the station will allow natural light to flood into a new-look Pallasades shopping centre and, for the first time, down on to some of the 12 platforms.

Network Rail this week submitted a formal planning application to Birmingham City Council, which is expected to be approved early in the new year.

Richard Kirkman, a spokesman for Network Rail, said the station’s concrete walls, although “an eyesore”, had been built to last and were in good condition.

“Demolishing the existing framework would have meant closing the station for several years while work took place and severely disrupting the Pallasades shopping centre,” he said.

“That is something no one was prepared to contemplate.”
The partnership behind New Street Gateway – Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands and Centro – was awarded Government funding of almost £400 million a year ago.

Network Rail is freely admitting that the makeover of one of the few major city centre railway stations anywhere in the country will not allow more trains to use New Street and will not solve the “bottleneck” problems caused by services queuing to get into and out of the station.

Mr Kirkman described Gateway as a “people movement” project and not something which would increase the number of trains able to use the station.

It will, however, put paid to “hideous over-crowding” for the 140,000 passengers who crowd into the existing small waiting areas, he said.
The new station will have eight public entrances, 26 new escalators and 14 lifts, making access to the platforms from the concourse far easier.
Public consultation into the station design triggered a surprisingly high level of interest.

More than 2,600 people inspected a scale model of the proposed changes at New Street and 650 questionnaires were completed.

Didn't we already know this???

Yes we did, but I suspect many members of the public probably didn't.

Yes we did, but I suspect many members of the public probably didn't.

Very true! Easy to forget because we do so much digging for information and read the planning applications, etc, that the man in the street probably doesn't know half of what is planned.

Very true! Easy to forget because we do so much digging for information and read the planning applications, etc, that the man in the street probably doesn't know half of what is planned.
Even so, it says "planners have revealed" as if this is something new that's just been announced. It wouldn't have taken much in the way of investigative journalism to tell the public about this a long time ago. And maybe if enough people had protested, they'd have to have come up with a better scheme.

Even so, it says "planners have revealed" as if this is something new that's just been announced. It wouldn't have taken much in the way of investigative journalism to tell the public about this a long time ago. And maybe if enough people had protested, they'd have to have come up with a better scheme.

Completely agree with you on that. What is worrying is as Trinity Mirror scale back the Birmingham Post & Mail, are we going to have less investigative journalism to inform of projects in detail in the future.:ohno:

news for the sake of news ...same old!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8364000/8364695.stm

has anyone seen this angle of the renders? this looks amazing in my opinion

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46745000/jpg/_46745830_new_street200_470x200-1.jpg

has anyone seen this angle of the renders? this looks amazing in my opinion

we have now.

I think they look amazing from this angle:) i especially like the new entrance at the botom of the picture