University Station revamp gets planning and funding approval

Plans to radically transform one of the busiest stations in the West Midlands received the green light in July, following planning approval from Birmingham City Council and funding confirmation from the Department for Transport.

Credit: West Midlands Combined Authority

SLC and AECOM are providing project, engineering, design and commercial support to build the new landmark station on behalf of West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).

University station not only serves the University of Birmingham (the UKs 4th largest university) but also the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, one of the largest single-site hospitals in western Europe. Demand is expected to rise by 75% to 7 million passengers a year over the next decade, following planned improvements to regional rail services and the opening of High Speed Two (HS2).

Ian Walters, Managing Director of SLC Rail said: “This project is going to make a big difference to the people who live and work in the area.

“The station was never designed to handle so many passengers each year and receiving this planning approval means we are one step closer to creating this much needed and improved gateway.”

Transport for West Midlands is leading a consortium to fund the scheme which includes the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP.

Contracts for the detailed design and construction are to be awarded soon with work starting on site later this year.