Countdown to New Street's half-time switch over
Passengers using Birmingham New Street will soon see the first major changes to the station in over 40 years when the huge project to redevelop the station reaches the half way point this April.
In three months time, the station will ‘switch over’ when the existing concourse and entrances which have been in use since the 1960s will close and passengers start to use the first half of the brand new concourse.
Next week, a campaign to inform passengers about the changes kicks off with the first of a series of public exhibitions taking place at New Street station. Passengers will be able to ask questions and pick up information to find out how the changes will affect them.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail project director said: “We’ve committed to keeping New Street open to passengers throughout the redevelopment and to date, we’ve been able to do most of our work behind the scenes.
“The switchover in April will be the first time passengers see real changes in how they use, and access New Street station. By switching off the old station and opening the first half of the new concourse next door, we can keep passengers moving through New Street while we continue rebuilding the existing half of the station and shopping centre above.”
The first of a series of public exhibitions will take place next week on the main concourse at New Street between 7am-7pm on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January. Passengers can also find out more by tweeting @networkrail or from www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk.
Rail inister Simon Burns said: “The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street is already proving to be a huge success and illustrates the Government’s commitment to invest in railways and improve one of the country’s major transport hubs. We have committed £160m to this scheme which will deliver a host of improvements including more than doubling concourse capacity and providing easier access and movement for passengers. The switchover marks another major landmark for the redevelopment and hopefully will be a welcome sight to rail users and the people of Birmingham.”
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The refurbished Birmingham New Street station will provide a much improved transport interchange for the 140,000 passengers who use it every day and these changes are designed to keep passengers and trains moving while this major work goes ahead. This is a vital project for the city, stimulating economic growth and regeneration and, in the newly-named Grand Central, it will provide one of the best-connected retail spaces in the country.”
Around 1000 construction workers are currently on site at New Street, main areas of activity include:
Platforms: Platforms are refurbished one at a time, leaving the other 11 platforms open to allow a full train service to run. Platform 8 is currently closed and will reopen on Sunday 10 February when work will move to Platform 9.
Moor Street Link: This new pedestrian route will open alongside the new concourse in April providing a link between Moor Street station, Smallbrook Queensway and the new concourse via Stephenson Street.
Pallasades/Grand Central & John Lewis: Demolition is ongoing in several areas including the old car park and the centre of the building to form the new atrium which will open in 2015. The Pallasades remains open throughout the redevelopment. On the south side of the station, construction of the John Lewis department store is well underway.
Façade: The first sections of stainless steel façade were installed above Stephenson Street in December 2012. The entire north elevation and new North West corner entrance is due to be clad when the switchover happens in April.
Cllr Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for transforming rail, said: “The concourse switchover will give passengers their first real taste of the significant improvements coming their way with this exciting redevelopment.
“But it will also mean a major change in the way New Street Station operates and I would therefore encourage passengers to use the information being provided to help familiarise themselves ahead of the switchover.”
New concourse facts:
- When the first half of the new concourse opens it will have all of the facilities expected in a major station with a new bigger and improved ticket office plus improved access with new up and down escalators and lifts improving access to platforms.
- Navigation Street footbridge at the west end of the station will close to passengers as new entrances will open onto Stephenson Street and Hill Street.
- There will also be new escalators up to the Pallasades to replace the existing ones which will close to allow the old concourse to be rebuilt.
- The existing vehicle station entrance on Smallbrook Queensway will close with access to the new drop off area and short stay car park moving across to Hill Street
- The station taxi rank will temporarily move to Navigation Street.
Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner Mace.
Upon completion in 2015, the project will deliver:
- Space to accommodate passenger growth: the new concourse will be three and a half times bigger than at present and will be enclosed by a giant atrium which will flood the station concourse and shopping centre with natural light.
- Better access for all: over 30 new escalators and 15 new public lifts will make it much easier to travel between the platforms and the concourse above.
- Cutting edge design: a stunning new station façade will create a new landmark building in the heart of Birmingham.
- A revitalised city centre: the new Grand Central Birmingham anchored by the John Lewis department store will offer new retail brands alongside quality places to eat and drink, cementing Birmingham’s reputation as one of the UK’s top retail destinations.
- Regeneration and economic growth: new pedestrian links will open up the city centre, stimulating regeneration and creating new jobs. We’re also working to open up job opportunities to the local workforce during construction.
- The station will remain open throughout the redevelopment.
Next week, a campaign to inform passengers about the changes kicks off with the first of a series of public exhibitions taking place at New Street station. Passengers will be able to ask questions and pick up information to find out how the changes will affect them.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail project director said: “We’ve committed to keeping New Street open to passengers throughout the redevelopment and to date, we’ve been able to do most of our work behind the scenes.
“The switchover in April will be the first time passengers see real changes in how they use, and access New Street station. By switching off the old station and opening the first half of the new concourse next door, we can keep passengers moving through New Street while we continue rebuilding the existing half of the station and shopping centre above.”
The first of a series of public exhibitions will take place next week on the main concourse at New Street between 7am-7pm on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January. Passengers can also find out more by tweeting @networkrail or from www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk.
Rail inister Simon Burns said: “The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street is already proving to be a huge success and illustrates the Government’s commitment to invest in railways and improve one of the country’s major transport hubs. We have committed £160m to this scheme which will deliver a host of improvements including more than doubling concourse capacity and providing easier access and movement for passengers. The switchover marks another major landmark for the redevelopment and hopefully will be a welcome sight to rail users and the people of Birmingham.”
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The refurbished Birmingham New Street station will provide a much improved transport interchange for the 140,000 passengers who use it every day and these changes are designed to keep passengers and trains moving while this major work goes ahead. This is a vital project for the city, stimulating economic growth and regeneration and, in the newly-named Grand Central, it will provide one of the best-connected retail spaces in the country.”
Around 1000 construction workers are currently on site at New Street, main areas of activity include:
Platforms: Platforms are refurbished one at a time, leaving the other 11 platforms open to allow a full train service to run. Platform 8 is currently closed and will reopen on Sunday 10 February when work will move to Platform 9.
Moor Street Link: This new pedestrian route will open alongside the new concourse in April providing a link between Moor Street station, Smallbrook Queensway and the new concourse via Stephenson Street.
Pallasades/Grand Central & John Lewis: Demolition is ongoing in several areas including the old car park and the centre of the building to form the new atrium which will open in 2015. The Pallasades remains open throughout the redevelopment. On the south side of the station, construction of the John Lewis department store is well underway.
Façade: The first sections of stainless steel façade were installed above Stephenson Street in December 2012. The entire north elevation and new North West corner entrance is due to be clad when the switchover happens in April.
Cllr Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for transforming rail, said: “The concourse switchover will give passengers their first real taste of the significant improvements coming their way with this exciting redevelopment.
“But it will also mean a major change in the way New Street Station operates and I would therefore encourage passengers to use the information being provided to help familiarise themselves ahead of the switchover.”
New concourse facts:
- When the first half of the new concourse opens it will have all of the facilities expected in a major station with a new bigger and improved ticket office plus improved access with new up and down escalators and lifts improving access to platforms.
- Navigation Street footbridge at the west end of the station will close to passengers as new entrances will open onto Stephenson Street and Hill Street.
- There will also be new escalators up to the Pallasades to replace the existing ones which will close to allow the old concourse to be rebuilt.
- The existing vehicle station entrance on Smallbrook Queensway will close with access to the new drop off area and short stay car park moving across to Hill Street
- The station taxi rank will temporarily move to Navigation Street.
Notes:
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station and the Pallasades Shopping Centre is backed by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Department for Transport, Centro and Advantage West Midlands.Network Rail is delivering the project alongside its delivery partner Mace.
Upon completion in 2015, the project will deliver:
- Space to accommodate passenger growth: the new concourse will be three and a half times bigger than at present and will be enclosed by a giant atrium which will flood the station concourse and shopping centre with natural light.
- Better access for all: over 30 new escalators and 15 new public lifts will make it much easier to travel between the platforms and the concourse above.
- Cutting edge design: a stunning new station façade will create a new landmark building in the heart of Birmingham.
- A revitalised city centre: the new Grand Central Birmingham anchored by the John Lewis department store will offer new retail brands alongside quality places to eat and drink, cementing Birmingham’s reputation as one of the UK’s top retail destinations.
- Regeneration and economic growth: new pedestrian links will open up the city centre, stimulating regeneration and creating new jobs. We’re also working to open up job opportunities to the local workforce during construction.
- The station will remain open throughout the redevelopment.
Ten-year deal powers Britain’s biggest rail electrification programme in a generation
Network Rail has awarded EDF Energy a ten-year deal for the supply of low carbon electricity to power Britain’s growing electrified rail network.
The contract will see EDF Energy, the largest producer of low-carbon energy in the UK, supply around 3.2TWh of electricity a year, powering a network which carries 3m passengers and tens of thousands of tonnes of freight a day. EDF Energy will ensure 100% of the electricity it supplies to Network Rail will be matched by low carbon energy generated from its eight nuclear power stations.
The majority of electricity supplied will be used to power electric trains, which now account for 55% of rail traffic. This is set to grow considerably over the coming years as Network Rail carries out work to electrify more than 2,000 track miles across Britain.
Once electrification schemes are complete including the Great Western Main Line, Liverpool to Manchester and Preston, the ‘electric spine’ from Southampton docks to the West Midlands and Yorkshire, three-quarters of all rail traffic in Britain will be electric powered.
David Higgins, Network Rail chief executive, said: “Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and this partnership with EDF Energy will help us make it greener still. Our work to electrify hundreds of miles of railway represents the biggest programme of rail electrification in a generation and will provide faster, quieter and more reliable journeys for millions of passengers every week while cutting the cost of the railway.
“Thanks to a firm commitment from government to invest in electrification schemes across the country, we are transforming the railway and providing Britain with a sustainable, world-class transport system that is fit for the future. This innovative contract for low-carbon energy will provide excellent value to the rail industry and means we are not only providing a greener railway, but also a better value railway for Britain.”
Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy, said: "Network Rail is the biggest single electricity customer in the UK so this long term deal is a massive vote of confidence in our nuclear-backed energy. Rail is already one of the least carbon intensive ways to travel and the huge investment in electrification will be backed by a stable and affordable supply of low carbon energy.
"The deal places nuclear energy at the heart of the UK's infrastructure for the next 10 years and serves to underline that nuclear power is part of everyday life in Britain. It's a big boost for EDF Energy following our success in winning the supply contract for the UK Government – which includes the NHS, Highways Agency and the Metropolitan Police – along with a deal agreed last year to supply the majority of Scotland's public bodies."
Under the ground-breaking arrangement, EDF Energy is offering Network Rail the unique capability to purchase their electricity requirements up to 10 years in advance, helping to deliver greater certainty over costs and significantly reduce exposure to short term, volatile energy prices.
With a network containing more than 20,000 miles of railway, tens of thousands of signals and hundreds of signal boxes controlling 25,000 trains a day, Network Rail is the single biggest consumer of electricity in Britain.
Network Rail procures electricity centrally for the rail industry. Traction electricity charges recover the costs of electricity supplied by Network Rail to train operators for their use of traction electricity through overhead lines and third rail power systems.
Currently only 40% of the rail network is electrified, including most of the south east of England, and the main lines from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the Merseyrail network around Liverpool and the Glasgow suburban network. By 2020, 54% of the network will be electrified with electric trains accounting for 75% of all rail traffic.
On Tuesday 8 January 2013, Network Rail set out its plans to build a bigger, better railway for Britain over the 2014-19 funding period. These plans included the following electrification schemes:
• Great Western Main Line (Maidenhead to Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff) and Thames Valley branches
• Cardiff to Swansea and Welsh Valley lines
• Midland Main Line (Bedford to Corby, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield)
• North-West Electrification Scheme (Liverpool to Manchester, Manchester to Preston and Blackpool)
• Transpennine Electrification Scheme (Manchester to Leeds and York)
• Electric spine (Southampton to Nuneaton and Bedford via Oxford)
Benefits of an electrified railway:
• Electric trains are not only better for the environment, but are quieter and smoother for passengers while causing less wear and tear to the track.
• They are more reliable and often faster.
• Further electrification will also help open up more diversionary routes, helping keep people on trains and off buses as planned rail improvement work is carried out.
• Compared to diesel traction, electric services have lower rolling stock operating costs, higher levels of train reliability and availability and lower leasing costs.
• The superior acceleration of electric trains can also help reduce journey times.
• Electric trains also provide more seats than diesel trains increasing capacity, while electric freight locomotives can haul longer trains.
• Electrification can also play a role in reducing carbon emissions as well as improving air quality and reducing noise.
• Electric vehicles, on average, emit 20% to 30% fewer CO2 emissions than diesel.
Network Rail has signed up to an EDF Energy Blue product, which comes with a guarantee that the electricity supplied to a customer is matched by electricity from low-carbon nuclear generation. The product is currently available to both residential and business customers.
About EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-sixth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear power stations, wind farms, coal and gas power stations and combined heat and power plants. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customer accounts and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain.
EDF Energy's safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK's largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear plants, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain's homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK's future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. In the 2012 Business in the Community Awards for Excellence EDF Energy won the awards for Environmental Leadership and Building Stronger Communities. In addition the company received eight BITC "Big Tick" awards in recognition of responsible business practice and was shortlisted for Responsible Business of the Year.
EDF was an official partner and the electricity supplier of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, real time energy monitoring and electric vehicle research.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe's largest power companies. The company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.
For more news from EDF Energy please see www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/ . To find out more about the UK's energy challenges look at www.edfenergy.com/energyfuture/
EDF Energy media contact: Nick Foley, senior media relations manager - 020 7752 2196
www.railway-technology.com Feature....
Read about the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway Line, China.
China has crossed another milestone in its high-speed railway network development, with the inauguration of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway line in December 2012.
The Beijing-Guangzhou railway line is the world's longest high-speed railway line, as of December 2012. It stretches 2,298km (1,425 miles) in length and can accommodate trains travelling with average speeds of 300kmph. The line reduces travel times to eight hours, as compared to the 22 hours it takes on traditional railway lines.
The line was a part of nationwide project that would bring 18,000km of high-speed rail to China by 2015. The line is part of China Railway High-speed (CRH), China's high-speed railway network.
China Railways is expected to operate 155 pairs of trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou line with a frequency of one train for every half an hour.
Shedmaster Railway News
From railwaygazette.com - Rail Business Intelligence is the incisive and analytical newsletter which has been reporting on the transformation of Britain's railways since privatisation.
World Heritage & Railway News
From bbc.co.uk - See how volunteer railway builders are working every day to try to meet a deadline for the reopening of the Bluebell Railway extension to East Grinstead.
Railway Engineering News
The majority of electricity supplied will be used to power electric trains, which now account for 55% of rail traffic. This is set to grow considerably over the coming years as Network Rail carries out work to electrify more than 2,000 track miles across Britain.
Once electrification schemes are complete including the Great Western Main Line, Liverpool to Manchester and Preston, the ‘electric spine’ from Southampton docks to the West Midlands and Yorkshire, three-quarters of all rail traffic in Britain will be electric powered.
David Higgins, Network Rail chief executive, said: “Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and this partnership with EDF Energy will help us make it greener still. Our work to electrify hundreds of miles of railway represents the biggest programme of rail electrification in a generation and will provide faster, quieter and more reliable journeys for millions of passengers every week while cutting the cost of the railway.
“Thanks to a firm commitment from government to invest in electrification schemes across the country, we are transforming the railway and providing Britain with a sustainable, world-class transport system that is fit for the future. This innovative contract for low-carbon energy will provide excellent value to the rail industry and means we are not only providing a greener railway, but also a better value railway for Britain.”
Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy, said: "Network Rail is the biggest single electricity customer in the UK so this long term deal is a massive vote of confidence in our nuclear-backed energy. Rail is already one of the least carbon intensive ways to travel and the huge investment in electrification will be backed by a stable and affordable supply of low carbon energy.
"The deal places nuclear energy at the heart of the UK's infrastructure for the next 10 years and serves to underline that nuclear power is part of everyday life in Britain. It's a big boost for EDF Energy following our success in winning the supply contract for the UK Government – which includes the NHS, Highways Agency and the Metropolitan Police – along with a deal agreed last year to supply the majority of Scotland's public bodies."
Under the ground-breaking arrangement, EDF Energy is offering Network Rail the unique capability to purchase their electricity requirements up to 10 years in advance, helping to deliver greater certainty over costs and significantly reduce exposure to short term, volatile energy prices.
With a network containing more than 20,000 miles of railway, tens of thousands of signals and hundreds of signal boxes controlling 25,000 trains a day, Network Rail is the single biggest consumer of electricity in Britain.
Network Rail procures electricity centrally for the rail industry. Traction electricity charges recover the costs of electricity supplied by Network Rail to train operators for their use of traction electricity through overhead lines and third rail power systems.
Currently only 40% of the rail network is electrified, including most of the south east of England, and the main lines from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the Merseyrail network around Liverpool and the Glasgow suburban network. By 2020, 54% of the network will be electrified with electric trains accounting for 75% of all rail traffic.
Notes:
Proposed electrification schemes:On Tuesday 8 January 2013, Network Rail set out its plans to build a bigger, better railway for Britain over the 2014-19 funding period. These plans included the following electrification schemes:
• Great Western Main Line (Maidenhead to Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff) and Thames Valley branches
• Cardiff to Swansea and Welsh Valley lines
• Midland Main Line (Bedford to Corby, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield)
• North-West Electrification Scheme (Liverpool to Manchester, Manchester to Preston and Blackpool)
• Transpennine Electrification Scheme (Manchester to Leeds and York)
• Electric spine (Southampton to Nuneaton and Bedford via Oxford)
Benefits of an electrified railway:
• Electric trains are not only better for the environment, but are quieter and smoother for passengers while causing less wear and tear to the track.
• They are more reliable and often faster.
• Further electrification will also help open up more diversionary routes, helping keep people on trains and off buses as planned rail improvement work is carried out.
• Compared to diesel traction, electric services have lower rolling stock operating costs, higher levels of train reliability and availability and lower leasing costs.
• The superior acceleration of electric trains can also help reduce journey times.
• Electric trains also provide more seats than diesel trains increasing capacity, while electric freight locomotives can haul longer trains.
• Electrification can also play a role in reducing carbon emissions as well as improving air quality and reducing noise.
• Electric vehicles, on average, emit 20% to 30% fewer CO2 emissions than diesel.
Network Rail has signed up to an EDF Energy Blue product, which comes with a guarantee that the electricity supplied to a customer is matched by electricity from low-carbon nuclear generation. The product is currently available to both residential and business customers.
About EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-sixth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear power stations, wind farms, coal and gas power stations and combined heat and power plants. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customer accounts and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain.
EDF Energy's safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK's largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear plants, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain's homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK's future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. In the 2012 Business in the Community Awards for Excellence EDF Energy won the awards for Environmental Leadership and Building Stronger Communities. In addition the company received eight BITC "Big Tick" awards in recognition of responsible business practice and was shortlisted for Responsible Business of the Year.
EDF was an official partner and the electricity supplier of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, real time energy monitoring and electric vehicle research.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe's largest power companies. The company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.
For more news from EDF Energy please see www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/ . To find out more about the UK's energy challenges look at www.edfenergy.com/energyfuture/
EDF Energy media contact: Nick Foley, senior media relations manager - 020 7752 2196
www.railway-technology.com Feature....
Read about the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway Line, China.
China has crossed another milestone in its high-speed railway network development, with the inauguration of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway line in December 2012.
The Beijing-Guangzhou railway line is the world's longest high-speed railway line, as of December 2012. It stretches 2,298km (1,425 miles) in length and can accommodate trains travelling with average speeds of 300kmph. The line reduces travel times to eight hours, as compared to the 22 hours it takes on traditional railway lines.
The line was a part of nationwide project that would bring 18,000km of high-speed rail to China by 2015. The line is part of China Railway High-speed (CRH), China's high-speed railway network.
China Railways is expected to operate 155 pairs of trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou line with a frequency of one train for every half an hour.
Shedmaster Railway News
From railwaygazette.com - Rail Business Intelligence is the incisive and analytical newsletter which has been reporting on the transformation of Britain's railways since privatisation.
World Heritage & Railway News
From bbc.co.uk - See how volunteer railway builders are working every day to try to meet a deadline for the reopening of the Bluebell Railway extension to East Grinstead.
Railway Engineering News
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