Planning consent sought for new Perry Barr railway station

Transport for the West Midlands has unveiled new designs for Perry Barr railway station as plans for the redevelopment have been submitted to Birmingham City Council. Regarded as one of the most outdated and unattractive railway stations in the region, it is set to be replaced with a new fit-for-purpose landmark station if plans are approved.

The new building will include multiple entrances, a ticket office, an accessible toilet and baby change facility, an out-of-hours entrance, lifts and new stairs. Further improvements include step free access, planters, passenger seating and cycle racks. 

The development, which is due to be completed in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, ready to receive spectators heading to the nearby Alexander Stadium for the athletics events and the opening and closing ceremonies, will provide a high quality and accessible station with strong links to north Birmingham’s road, bus and cycle networks and is part of the wider £500 million regeneration of the Perry Barr area.

Outline planning permission is also being sought for the bus interchange in front of the neighbouring One Stop Shopping Centre.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “This new station demonstrates the benefit to local people and local jobs from our region’s success in securing the Commonwealth Games.

“Because we secured the Games we’ve been able to bring forward long awaited investment that will improve things for commuters, and visitors for years to come.

“And that will help the area benefit even more from huge investment in this part of Birmingham.”

Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the West Midlands Rail Executive are working with rail industry partners including Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and Birmingham City Council on the development.

Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council said: “I’m sure most people would agree this new station will be a vast improvement on what we have currently.

“The station and bus interchange are important parts of the wider Perry Barr redevelopment project which will improve transport connectivity for people in north Birmingham.

“It is also part of the wider improvements to our railway, bus, tram and cycle networks as we bid to change the way people travel across the region.”

A detailed planning application for the bus interchange outside One Stop Shopping Centre will follow later this year.