New designs showcasing the planned £286 million regeneration of a West Midlands railway station have been revealed.
The images (above and below) show how the 1970s Birmingham International could look after undergoing a major overhaul designed to accommodate the predicted 16 million passengers who will use the station annually over the next 20 years.
The work will create a 163,600 sq ft transport hub in Solihull with links to the adjacent airport and NEC complex as well as buses, rapid transit, private vehicles, taxis, bicycles and HS2 via a new automated people mover.
A tender process to recruit a design-and-build contractor is under way with an appointment expected in February.
Construction work is due to start after the 2022 Commonwealth Games and is expected to be completed by 2026 and ahead of HS2's arrival.
Related activity as a result of the regeneration could see a new 800-space multi-storey car park, 180-bedroom hotel and up to 100,000 sq ft of grade A office space developed adjacent to the station.
The revamp of the station is being led by the Urban Growth Company which was set up by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to co-ordinate and lead infrastructure investment in the area around the airport and NEC.
Known collectively as The Hub, its aim is to maximise the benefits of HS2 arriving in Solihull at the new Interchange station on land east of the M42.
Coun Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "These designs really bring this project to life and show how The Hub is being transformed into Europe’s best-connected destination for business, leisure and living.
"Over 450,000 people will be within a 45-minute public transport commute of The Hub with its vastly improved connectivity and high-value jobs that will be created.
"That is before the first high-speed train pulls into the nearby HS2 Interchange station.
"Importantly, because of the work we are putting into making sure everything is connected, we will end up with our regional transport network meshing seamlessly to HS2.
"This and other schemes will support existing major businesses who have significant growth plans of their own, such as Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park."
