Birmingham New St / Grand Central construction thread (large images)

[the sniper]

The map shows ticket barriers in three places, which as planned will mean that all platform access is behind gates. Will these though be proper automatic ticket barriers from opening or as an interim measure will it just be an extension the current half arsed, part time 'barrier' operation? Here's hoping it's the former.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

The footbridge has been removed completely on the little plastic/wooden model they have had on display at New Street station. The Navigation Street exit seems fairly redundant considering the new exit onto Stephenson Street is practically a stones throw away.

I'm more interested in seeing what this new pedestrian route over to Moor Street looks like.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The map shows ticket barriers in three places, which as planned will mean that all platform access is behind gates. Will these though be proper automatic ticket barriers from opening or as an interim measure will it just be an extension the current half arsed, part time 'barrier' operation? Here's hoping it's the former.

I wouldn't expect them to continue with the current set-up in a brand new building. Gating New St properly has been on the cards since LM gates the likes on Snow Hill and Five Ways a few years ago.

 

[moggie]

Does anyone know if the footbridge that leads out onto Navigation St (the westernmost bridge) is being closed permanently? The map isn't overly clear, but I'd imagine the new concourse / entrance would remove a lot of its purpose. It'd also be one less gateline to staff!

The footbridge has been removed completely on the little plastic/wooden model they have had on display at New Street station. The Navigation Street exit seems fairly redundant considering the new exit onto Stephenson Street is practically a stones throw away.

Not certain what their plans are as the new entrance /exit from the new concourse onto Navigation St and Hill St would appear to render the footbridge redundant. But a few months ago they added a load of new steel work to extend the footbridge over to platform 12b and in the process re-aligned the plat 10/11 stairs. Despite this, the new bridge section over to 12 has remained closed to passengers and looks incomplete. Like the rest of the damn thing the new bit leaks like a sieve. Fortunately the temporary light fittings catch some of the water.:eek:

 

[the sniper]

I wouldn't expect them to continue with the current set-up in a brand new building.

I have very low expectations when it comes to all parties involved. I wouldn't be surprised if the current part time barrier arrangement is just continued.

Gating New St properly has been on the cards since LM gates the likes on Snow Hill and Five Ways a few years ago.

Well aware that it's been planned for a long time. Like the other stations you mention though, it'll be interesting to see how many hours of the day/days of the week the barriers will be in operation, if there are indeed any barriers installed on opening.

 

[The Planner]

Interesting to see how many barriers there would be too, in my experience of using the Navigation St exit, if a Virgin and a Cross City are dumping out their passengers at the same time then the queues will be horrendous.

 

[pinguini]

Regarding gate line, London Midland are currently recruiting for ticket inspector staff at New Street and are interviewing next week - both fixed term and permanent contracts.

 

[the sniper]

Interesting to see how many barriers there would be too, in my experience of using the Navigation St exit, if a Virgin and a Cross City are dumping out their passengers at the same time then the queues will be horrendous.

Too true. Been a few years since I used that entrance in the morning peak, but there was a point where a 6 car unit off the cross city, a three car unit off the Chase and a Pendo all chucked out at the same time. Folks were queuing almost from P6/7 on the bridge to the exit. As you say, it'll be interesting to see how many gates are provided.

I think the bigger shock to most off peak passengers travelling into Birmingham from many stations in the Network WM area will be that they actually have to buy a ticket to get into Brum!

Regarding gate line, London Midland are currently recruiting for ticket inspector staff at New Street and are interviewing next week - both fixed term and permanent contracts.

That is good news.

 

[dvboy]

Looking at the plan posted above, there appears to be two ways down to the platforms from the new concourse. The one on the right (west) appears to be the existing concourse, current B-end, presumably for best access to the A-end of the platforms now, so you'll have to make a decision on A or B end of the platform before you go through the ticket barriers.

The plan also implies no escalator access to platform 1.

I think it will be a squeeze at peaks, especially the A end, as 2 exits combine into one.

 

[Mojo]

I think the bigger shock to most off peak passengers travelling into Birmingham from many stations in the Network WM area will be that they actually have to buy a ticket to get into Brum!

I say it depends how well they staff it. It didn't take long after the installation of ticket gates in suburban London for the undesirables to realise just how easy it is to get through the gateline without a ticket.

 

[Jeni]

Someone has posted some internal shots to Flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveharte/sets/72157632932816360/with/8534538342/

In my opinion, it looks fairly cramped in there!

 

[pinguini]

I say it depends how well they staff it. It didn't take long after the installation of ticket gates in suburban London for the undesirables to realise just how easy it is to get through the gateline without a ticket.

Here in Coventry I regularly overhear otherwise perfectly nice people discuss plans to catch the train to Birmingham and not bother buying a ticket because they know they'll never be asked. I have a drawer full of tickets to/from Brum that have gone unchecked although I continue to buy them anyway. The 'undesirables' will always try it on, but there are plenty of people who will feel the need to start buying tickets when the barriers come in.

 

[the sniper]

I say it depends how well they staff it. It didn't take long after the installation of ticket gates in suburban London for the undesirables to realise just how easy it is to get through the gateline without a ticket.

True, but as pinguini says, it should stop the casual fare evaders, these far outnumber the type that you can clearly see are trouble. The casual fare evader will always pay when asked, but will knowingly walk past every opportunity to pay without even thinking twice about it.

I'd still like to see some hard proof that there'll be barriers in operation from opening in April. Who funded these barriers?

 

[jopsuk]

Barad-dur, Sauron's dark tower was inspired by the clock tower at Birmingham University, which is known on campus as "Old Joe". It's huge btw, taller than Big Ben and as far as I am aware it is still the tallest free standing clock tower in the world. It certainly was in Toilken's day. You can see it from the train as you head towards University station.

I'd guess the new one in Mecca (modelled, sort of, on the clock tower at the north end of Westminster) doesn't really count, as it is a hotel that just looks like a clock tower? 601m tall to the tip.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Yeah, I thought about that one but it is a hotel with a massive clock on the roof. The one in Birmingham, much like Big Ben, exists purely to be a clock tower.

 

[sprinterguy]

Does anyone know if the footbridge that leads out onto Navigation St (the westernmost bridge) is being closed permanently? The map isn't overly clear, but I'd imagine the new concourse / entrance would remove a lot of its purpose. It'd also be one less gateline to staff!

The Navigation Street footbridge will close at the same time as the new section of the concourse opens on April 28th, but it is expected to reopen when the fully refurbished new station opens in 2015, following a refit: The fly-through of the completed station that Network Rail are presently touting as current shows the Navigation Street footbridge coated in those same shiny, reflective panels that the main station is being clad in.

I must admit that I agree to being somewhat bemused by this decision when the new concourse, and the new escalators at the West (Wolves) end of New Street, render the footbridge fairly superfluous!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The map shows ticket barriers in three places, which as planned will mean that all platform access is behind gates. Will these though be proper automatic ticket barriers from opening or as an interim measure will it just be an extension the current half arsed, part time 'barrier' operation? Here's hoping it's the former.

It is intended for fully automated ticket barriers to be installed when the fully refurbished station opens for business in 2015. However, for the interim, the new concourse that opens at the end of next month will utilise manned gatelines the same as the existing arrangement.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The Navigation Street footbridge will close at the same time as the new section of the concourse opens on April 28th, but it is expected to reopen when the fully refurbished new station opens in 2015, following a refit: The fly-through of the completed station that Network Rail are presently touting as current shows the Navigation Street footbridge coated in those same shiny, reflective panels that the main station is being clad in.

I must admit that I agree to being somewhat bemused by this decision when the new concourse, and the new escalators at the West (Wolves) end of New Street, render the footbridge fairly superfluous!

Thanks for the info

For anyone curious, there's a blown-up map of the new concourse (in a similar style to the one linked above) in the Customer Reception at New St, which fully details locations of all the facilities on offer in the new building, including the First Class Lounge and retail outlets IIRC.

 

[Jeni]

I must admit that I agree to being somewhat bemused by this decision when the new concourse, and the new escalators at the West (Wolves) end of New Street, render the footbridge fairly superfluous!

It's usually a lot quieter than the main concourse, so it's easier to make quick changes via that end.

 

[D1009]

I must admit that I agree to being somewhat bemused by this decision when the new concourse, and the new escalators at the West (Wolves) end of New Street, render the footbridge fairly superfluous!

Is it because there needs to be a separate exit not utilising the new concourse for use in emergency?

 

[Philip Elliott]

No it is simply because the aim of the project is to increase access to the platforms by having more routes. Spending £650m to have the same number would be stupid in the extreme.

 

[Class172]

London Midland have posted a few pictures on their facebook page of a tour showing some people around. Looking at the pictures I hope that the interior isn't finished yet.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

The pictures in question

 

[Cletus]

Received an email from Cross Country today:

Birmingham New Street station is changing. From Sunday 28 April 2013, as part of the Network Rail project to rebuild the station, entrances and exits you may have used previously will be closed and the first half of the new station will open. It will have all the facilities you expect, with better access to the platforms.

If you're travelling to or from Birmingham New Street, or changing trains there, please familiarise yourself with the new station layout before travelling, particularly the locations of the new entrances.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk...topCTA&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BNSemail

 

[the sniper]

Non of the Drivers or Guards have been shown around the new New Street, or given anything but bare details, so it'll be interesting to see if there are any delays over the first couple of days due to people not knowing where anything is...

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Will it affect train crew much? XC have been in their new cabin for a while now, LM's are still waiting for theirs to be built, but all you really need to know is the way from the mess room to the platforms. I can't see it causing major disruption.

 

[brianthegiant]

Inane bit of related trivia: Toilken was a Brummie (or at least an adopted one) and most of the geography from his books were based on or inspired by places in Birmingham.

Likewise I believe the Misty Mountains are inspired by Mid Wales as seen from the train to Aberystwyth.

 

[pinguini]

Big day for this project tomorrow. I'll be changing trains at New Street tomorrow, which should be interesting!

 

[williamus]

Big day for this project tomorrow. I'll be changing trains at New Street tomorrow, which should be interesting!

Yes, I'm intrigued to see what this "half-time" stage looks like and how it works. I'll be going into town on the cross-city earlyish whith my camera to see for myself.

I may be in a minority, but I've always been impressed with New Street and think it's much maligned. It's warm, dry, functional and the busiest station outside London. It's also slap bang in the middle of the city, a rare commodity when it comes to provincial city stations.

 

[Harbon 1]

I'll be having a nosey this afternoon i think

 

[cjmillsnun]

I may be in a minority, but I've always been impressed with New Street and think it's much maligned. It's warm, dry, functional and the busiest station outside London. It's also slap bang in the middle of the city, a rare commodity when it comes to provincial city stations.

It's done OK but was a dark dirty place. Mainly due to BR/RT/NR not spending money doing anything other than essential maintenance for many years. It's pleasing to see it getting the investment it deserves.