GENSOCIAL
Revamped designs have been unveiled for a Birmingham station which will play a key role in the city’s hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The updated plans for Perry Barr have been lodged with the city council following feedback from the public and stakeholders when they were initially submitted in September.
Our sister website BirminghamLive reported at the time that residents had slammed the proposed designs, saying the station looked like something out of video game Minecraft and a portacabin in a car park.
Under the proposals, the existing station will be replaced by a new building containing a ticket office, toilets and baby change facilities, lifts and stairs to the platforms.
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The updated plans, which have been designed by Jewellery Quarter practice Glancy Nicholls, contain more windows and perforated metal panels with the aim of creating a “visual landmark” for Perry Barr during the day and night.
Proposals for landscaping the public areas surrounding the station have also been amended to reflect the design.
At around 20 minutes on foot, Perry Barr is the closest station to Alexander Stadium which will host the track and field events during the Commonwealth Games..
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “The key when drawing up the plans was to create a railway station that works for passengers with safety, clear information, lifts and toilets – features the current building lacks – a priority.
“But we received the message loud and clear that people expected more in terms of design for this key location and went back and looked at it again.
“We hope the revised design will create a station that the area and community can be proud of.”
As well as a new full planning application for the railway station, outline planning permission is also being sought for the bus interchange in front of the neighbouring One Stop Shopping Centre.
A decision is expected on planning consent in January and work is due to be completed ahead of the 2022 games.
Malcolm Holmes, director of rail for Transport for West Midlands, added: “We have listened to the feedback and taken that on board with this fresh design.
“This new station will not only be a vast improvement on what is there but will link to the wider transport network with a new bus interchange next door, the Sprint rapid bus service along the A34 and A45, and the new safe cycle route from the city centre to Alexander Stadium.”
