There's no bridge being demolished (that I'm aware of!), but as I mentioned before the canal is shut this weekend, so I imagine it might be to do with that.
There is a footbridge to be constructed across the canal and the track to the new station building linking the University Campus to the Station. Hence the closing of the towpath and perhaps the need for the beams is as pads for heavy plant working on creating this bridge.
I wouldn't have thought they'd be installing the new bridge yet, the site doesn't look ready for it. There aren't any upright supports anywhere. Though admittedly that's the only reason I can think of that they might need to close the canal.
I think the canal is open south of the access point next to the station, so hopefully I'll be able to get down to canal level there.
Thanks. Here are the traffic lights on Vincent Drive:
), trespassing is not allowed, coronavirus (you must wear a mask), and "the next bus to arrive...".
Thanks.
Very impressive work.
Indeed it is.
University station opened in 1978 on an existing line in a cutting between a road and a canal which crossed the University and Queen Elizabeth Hospital campus so of necessity it had to be very constrained. It very soon exceeded it planned capacity. The new station has had to take over land previously used as carparking near the West Gate of the University. The height of the station does surprise me but that is partly due to the rails being in a cutting and the need for it to span both the railway and the canal in order to provide access from both sides. When the Birmingham West Suburban Railway was built, it was a condition imposed by the landowner that it had to follow the canal as closely as possible. Both the canal and the railway had restrictive covenants that there were to be no wharfs, factories or goods handing facilities on the line through Edgbaston.
I think it's the bulk of the buildings - and having them on both sides - that creates the 'canyon' effect at platform level, and it may be that the angle of the photograph emphasises the scale (and canopies may help once it's all completed). I like the fact that the design (once the brick facades are added) will mirror the architecture of the campus - it is reminiscent of the University's old library.
Not only is the track in a cutting but clearance is required above the OLE for a bridge between platforms and the initial plans showed the structure looks better when viewed from the QE side of the site but it is still high.
The original station was projected to have 400,000 passengers a year. Pre Covid it was roughly 3.9m
Some ubiquitous retail outlets I believe.
Yes, you're probably right - after all, they've got a captive audience, so it makes sense.
Indeed - there really isn't anywhere to go in the immediate vicinity. Perhaps the outlets will have reasonable prices as a result, to encourage non-travellers to use the facilities?
)
