Birmingham welcomes its new New Street station

More than three years in the making, the first half of the new concourse at Birmingham New Street station has opened to passengers, marking the completion of the first phase of the project to transform the station.

A team of over a thousand staff have been on site working around the clock to create the new station, which is already one-and-a-half times larger than the old concourse, offering passengers a better environment and experience for their journey.

The first week of opening will see an army of volunteers from Network Rail and train operators located around the station, helping passengers find their way to, from and around the new concourse as they adjust to their new surroundings.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route managing director, said: “Birmingham New Street is the busiest interchange station on Britain’s rail network and with this new concourse it’s finally getting the facilities that it needs and deserves.

“We are delighted to welcome passengers into their new station. It’s bigger and brighter with much better access to all platforms, making getting around the station easier for everyone.”

This is the first major change to New Street in over 40 years, with the station being named as one of the most hated buildings in the country in more recent years. The opening marks a significant milestone in the overall redevelopment, with people using the station now having somewhere to be proud of as the gateway to the city and the West Midlands.