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University (Birmingham) Station Rebuild
- Thread starter ABB125
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trundlewagon
Member
Perfect! Just in time for the Commonwealth Games!
Perfect. I'm due there on 14 February. Let's hope they let the catering facility in the near future too
TheTallOne
Member
It’s still looking quite messy outside, drove past it today. Pavement still fenced off and the annoying traffic lights not gone yet
H&I
Member
Oof. I’m already making my way to Birmingham to check it out on Sunday when it is meant to open.
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I am very excited to see it complete and ready to open!
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Liam L
Member
Am planning on going to have a look next week, Anyone been today? Be interested to here some thoughts on it
I’ve visited 3 times today, and it’s absolutely huge compared to the old station. The footbridge is really nice, and gives great views of the trains below. There’s also a travel centre on the platform 1 side, with a large map just outside the station. The abundance of seating and waiting spaces is very welcome (there must be 100+ seats. Ticket barriers weren’t in use yet.
The old building was exit only and the staff were making sure that people were aware of that, oddly the TVMs were still on in the old bit.
All in all, it’s a really nice building, and definitely worth a look. It feels a lot less bland than the new Coventry and Perry Barr station buildings do.
TheTallOne
Member
Liam L
Member
Good to hear, I imagine the TVMs in the old will be moved over at some point in the coming weeks. Does sound like a improvement though which is fantastic to hear.
TheTallOne
Member
The old building is now exit only.
I do wonder if they should have it setup for exit only in the morning (as everyone heads to lectures) and entry only after say 2pm (everyone heading home)?
I do wonder if they should have it setup for exit only in the morning (as everyone heads to lectures) and entry only after say 2pm (everyone heading home)?
ABB125
Established Member
If they did that, then that would reduce the number of people going through the new buildings. Which would result is reduced sales at whatever retail outlets they have at the station...
Liam L
Member
As mentioned above and from what I saw today from my visit, They want most of the traffic to go through the new buildings, With a security guard on the old entrance to direct people round to it. Would be useful if they put some proper signage up to make it more clearer.
TheTallOne
Member
Ahhh, very good point
DavidGrain
Established Member
- Joined
- 29 Dec 2017
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- 1,242
A couple of YouTube videos.
centraltrains
Member
I was quite disappointed there was no cafe. In the original flythrough video there was a nice space labelled "additional waiting and cafe space" but seems to be just closed off for some NHS thing I can't quite remember.
(2:17)
It's interesting how much extra staffing this new station needs, 3 excess fare booths, 3 gate lines, platform staff both sides, security staff - seemingly one just to tell you the old entrance is now exit only!
Otherwise a lovely spacious open building.
It's interesting how much extra staffing this new station needs, 3 excess fare booths, 3 gate lines, platform staff both sides, security staff - seemingly one just to tell you the old entrance is now exit only!
Otherwise a lovely spacious open building.
TheTallOne
Member
I’ll be glad when they finish the outside works and get rid of the temporary traffic lights
I’ve not visited yet, although I might have a wander down the canal from Selly Oak tomorrow and then get the train into Birmingham from uni.
I’ve not visited yet, although I might have a wander down the canal from Selly Oak tomorrow and then get the train into Birmingham from uni.
DavidGrain
Established Member
- Joined
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- Messages
- 1,242
A friend of mine described the canal entrance to the station as his own private entrance as his usual walking route to the station is by the canal towpath.
swt_passenger
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 31,603
I noticed in one of the videos the chap thought the term “link bridge” wasn’t very useful to differentiate from the ‘footbridge’, perhaps referring to it as the ‘canal bridge’ might be more logical?
TheTallOne
Member
I’ll probably forget about that entrance and walk up the steps to the old entrance (or exit as it is now!). Muscle memory.
I noticed A4 printed signs on each door in the new station saying the doors close at 2200 (2000 on Sundays)
One to watch out for on an evening, have to use the old building late at night.
Also it’s a shame they have a nice new building with tatty A4 paper notices on all the doors.
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ABB125
Established Member
No only that, the towpath entrance is only open 0600-1800 (from 0900 on Sundays). Quite why this needs to be closed early I'm not sure, as it doesn't require any additional staffing, it's literally just an automatic opening door...
Mordac
Established Member
Old University station building reopened on Wednesday as exit only. Incidentally, I commute through there daily and I think I can count on my fingers the number of times the barriers have been closed. There's always staff milling around but the barriers are always open anyway. Total disregard for the investment.
Remembered to use the old building to leave the station today. Dunno what they did during all the time it was closed, looks exactly the same. Managed to be less transformational than the Square Peg refurbishment (one for the other Brummies here). To top it off, the barriers always used to be closed before and now were open too, even though a staff member was milling around. Must be nice to be paid to do that. No wonder our productivity is in the tank.
Remembered to use the old building to leave the station today. Dunno what they did during all the time it was closed, looks exactly the same. Managed to be less transformational than the Square Peg refurbishment (one for the other Brummies here). To top it off, the barriers always used to be closed before and now were open too, even though a staff member was milling around. Must be nice to be paid to do that. No wonder our productivity is in the tank.
ABB125
Established Member
Yes, there seems to be a huge number of staff standing around doing nothing. And much of the time when I pass through the barriers are open...
Do the bosses not get management information telling them when barriers are open and closed?
mr_moo
Member
I do wonder if it's something to do with unions.
Often you need to agree working practices with the unions before implementing them. This will include risk assessments and agreements regarding safety of staff, liklihood of abuse, expected passenger flows and crowding and what staff requirements are needed to manage or support those analysis.
It's possible that these assessments are not yet agreed and thus the barrieres remain open to avoid ssues until such time as the agreements or crrect staffing provision is in place.
Or perhaps they are just broken!
Often you need to agree working practices with the unions before implementing them. This will include risk assessments and agreements regarding safety of staff, liklihood of abuse, expected passenger flows and crowding and what staff requirements are needed to manage or support those analysis.
It's possible that these assessments are not yet agreed and thus the barrieres remain open to avoid ssues until such time as the agreements or crrect staffing provision is in place.
Or perhaps they are just broken!
ABB125
Established Member
Sometimes the barriers are closed, so I don't think they're broken. Would be interesting to find out what the staffing and barrier policy is for the station - running costs must have increased substantially compared to the old station! I wonder who is paying for this,? Presumably it was factored into the original planning for the station, that staffing costs would be significantly higher...
Mordac
Established Member
Was two members of staff on the old building today, one of them carrying a clipboard. The barriers were, of course, open, so presumably the manager was checking of the other employee's milling around was to standard.