A project milestone has been reached on the £750 million redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station.

A new southern hub has been opened at the station, which provides exit only access to Hill Street from all platforms via the Navigation Street footbridge.

The overall development is part of Network Rail's £40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan and is nearing completion. Earlier this month, the upgrade of platform 11 was completed, marking the final platform to be refurbished.

All 12 platforms at the station have now reopened for the first time in five years, featuring improved step-free access and better facilities. In addition, the project has generated development around the station, with investment in new bars, shops and restaurants as well as further planned projects. A 26-storey hotel near the station's entrance on the southside of the city centre has recently been granted planning permission.


Patrick Power, Network Rail's Birmingham New Street station manager, said: "Birmingham New Street is a station that the people of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands can be truly proud of. The station is no longer a blocker to moving around the city centre on foot and this new southern exit means passengers can now access all corners of the city centre with ease.

"Along with the platform refurbishment completed as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, the station has been completely transformed. We are continuing to do all we can to make it even better so passengers and visitors to the city get the best possible impression of the railway and Birmingham

Work will continue to complete the outside of the southern hub and the area around it until Christmas. Plans are also in place to refurbish the outside of Navigation Street footbridge, where new cladding will be applied to bring it in line with the new-look of the station.

(LM)