NETWORK RAIL BEGINS SEARCH FOR CONSTRUCTION DELIVERY PARTNER FOR NEW STREET GATEWAY

Thursday 20 September 2007 15:00

Network Rail has launched its search for a construction delivery partner for the Birmingham New Street Gateway project. The successful company will form an Integrated Project Team with Network Rail working to transform one of the UK’s busiest stations.

New Street Gateway is essential to Birmingham, its continued prosperity and the wider economic success of the West Midlands. The project will address the immediate and long-term passenger capacity challenges for Birmingham and is of national strategic importance for the wider UK rail network.

Martin Chambers, Network Rail Programme Director for Birmingham New Street, commented: "We are looking for the best in the construction industry to help us transform Birmingham New Street. The new station will create a world-class passenger experience, improving the flow to and from train services, increasing passenger capacity, and creating a more pleasant environment. This is a complex job and we are looking for an experienced delivery partner to help us turn New Street into a station the city and region can be proud of."

Notes to Editors:

Further details of the tender can be found in the attached OJEU document

The Government announced £128m of funding for New Street Gateway in July 2007

Further decisions as part of the Department for Transport’s Regional Funding Allocation, and a joint Birmingham City Council/Advantage West Midlands bid for money from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) are expected to be made later in the year

In total the New Street Gateway Steering Committee has bid for £350 million in public money to fund the redevelopment, which once secured will unlock a further £200 million in private sector investment for the scheme

New Street Gateway will see the 1960s built station undergo a dramatic redevelopment, transforming the dark, crowded underground station into a bright, modern 21st Century transport hub for Birmingham and the West Midlands region

The project will double passenger capacity of the station, relieving congestion and be a catalyst for creating more than 5,000 jobs

The project will redevelop and regenerate the area around the station and will include better pedestrian connections right across the city centre

The New Street Gateway Steering Group is made up of representatives from: Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, Centro WMPTA and Advantage West Midlands