New designs revealed for Birmingham and Solihull HS2 stations

How Interchange station will look

Updated designs for the two new high speed rail stations in the West Midlands have been unveiled, with HS2 saying it wants to create two of the most environmentally-friendly railway stations in the world.

The stations at Curzon Street in Birmingham and Interchange in Solihull have been designed to a focus on open space and landscaping. They will both be net zero carbon in operation and achieve a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard. Both stations will adopt the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies including capturing rainwater and sustainable power generation.

The designs for Curzon Street are now on display at Millennium Point, kicking off a fortnight of engagement events ahead of planning applications being submitted to Birmingham City Council. The designs for Interchange go on display today (21 January) ahead of submission to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

HS2 has been working with WSP and Grimshaw Architects on the design for Curzon Street and with Arup on the Interchange station in Solihull. Initial designs went on display in autumn 2018 with more than 1,750 people providing feedback which has now been incorporated into the new designs.

The designs for the new Curzon Street station

Curzon Street station in Birmingham city centre will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the since the 19th century. Eventually, there will be nine trains per hour onto the high speed network in each direction from the station.

The new net zero carbon in operation station design will maximise the benefit of natural resources such as sunlight and water and have new public spaces surrounding it. The designs will also incorporate the existing historic Old Curzon Street building and link it to the new station’s eastern concourse at New Canal Street.

The designs also improve access to different modes of transport. The Midland Metro runs alongside and underneath the station while pedestrian routes lead to local bus services, Sprint rapid transit bus services and other train services. The design also provides space for more than 250 bicycles.

Interchange Station in Solihull will be a major new gateway for the region close to Birmingham Airport, Birmingham International station and the NEC.

Like the Curzon Street design, Interchange will be net zero carbon in operation, focusing on reducing energy use by maximising natural daylight and ventilation and using on-site solar panels. The station roof can capture and re-use rainwater and the new designs incorporate sunken rain gardens in the public plaza and an outdoor terrace to the station concourse.

Another key change is the creation of a dedicated pedestrian access into the station from the east of the railway, along with cycle access to the new station from the north, west and south-east through a mixture of dedicated routes.

The new station will be linked to the NEC, Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport via an automated people mover carrying up to 2,100 passengers per hour in each direction.

In the next few weeks, the process of appointing a contractor to build Curzon Street Station will start.

Chris Hayter, WSP project director, said: “The new Curzon Street Station design harmoniously ingrates architecture and engineering in the true tradition of our great railway stations, bringing the passenger experience up-to-date with modern traveller expectations, in keeping with Birmingham’s ongoing transformation.

“With its open and naturally-lit concourse and dwell spaces allowing easy movement for customers and visitors alike, the station will be as much a destination and meeting place as a functioning station.

“Much effort has gone into integrating the station into its surroundings in a way that will benefit both commuters and the city’s communities by providing high-quality, safe and environmentally-sensitive landscaping and public spaces that will add to the quality of city life.

“Our 160-strong project team including new recruits into our apprenticeship scheme, worked tirelessly to deliver this iconic design and we are committed to boosting the skills of Britain’s next generation while delivering this transformative project, better connecting our towns and cities and making the Midlands Engine a reality.”

Kim Quazi, Arup’s lead architect, said: “The design of HS2 Interchange Station has been influenced by its unique rural setting on the edge of a built-up, urban area and its glass facade will offer expansive views over the surrounding landscape. The striking roof design will maximise the use of natural daylight to create a light, bright and airy interior that is easy to navigate even during the busiest of periods. Passenger experience has been forefront in the way we have designed the station. Outside, green design features such as sunken rain gardens will enhance the public space while also contributing to Interchange’s impressive environmental credentials.

“The new driverless People Mover system we have helped to design will cement Interchange Station as gateway for the West Midlands, enabling more people living in and visiting the region to capitalise on the fast and frequent, high-capacity connection to Birmingham International Railway Station, the NEC and Birmingham Airport.”

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