Partners Welcome New Street Funding Announcement
The key partners behind the New Street Station scheme today welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) to give the green light to Network Rail's £128 million contribution to the Gateway project, the first of 3 tranches of funding required.
Mike Whitby, Chairman of the Steering Committee which is overseeing the scheme, urged the Government to make a swift decision on the 2 outstanding applications for funds, which are required to allow the £600 million project to go ahead.
He said "This is good news for Birmingham. The redevelopment of New Street Station is one of the vital components in our plans for a £10 billion transformation of Birmingham City Centre over the next 10 years. Today's announcement is positive news and we can now begin to see the key elements of this complex project fitting together.
"The redevelopment of New Street is essential for Birmingham. To be a global city we must have world-class transport infrastructure that serves both our visitors and the local community.
"We warmly welcome today's announcement, but it is only a third of what we require. I shall continue to maintain the pressure on Government to deliver what they have promised us - a station fit for the 21st century city.
"I am confident of further announcements later in the year which will enable the Steering Group to push ahead with our ambitious plans so we can play our role in the nation's growth agenda. In order the deliver the scheme it is essential that all the funding is secured, as quickly as possible."
John Edwards, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said:
"The future prosperity of the West Midlands economy will be helped enormously by Birmingham having a station which creates the right first impression for the region. We have assessed plans for New Street and the Gateway scheme is one of the better solutions that will unlock the regional economy and drive growth still further. We welcome the announcement of this first tranche of funding."
Cllr Gary Clarke, Chairman of Centro-WMPTA said:
"The region's rail network carries 33 million passengers a year, and is also the hub of the UK network. It is vital to both the regional, and UK economy. It is essential that New Street is transformed and we support the Governments decision to back Gateway in its High Level Output Statement"
Martin Chambers, Programme Director for New Street at Network Rail, added:
"Every year more people use New Street station than Gatwick - equating to twice as many as originally planned. Network Rail has made redeveloping New Street station a top priority in our plans for the national rail network, and we welcome the Government's commitment to this vital project. The Gateway scheme will unlock growth at New Street and offer passengers the kind of facilities they deserve."
Notes to editors
This funding decision represents the first tranche of public sector funding.
Further decisions as part of the DfT's Regional Funding Allocation, and a joint council/Advantage West Midlands bid for money from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DEBBR) are expected to be made later in the year.
The New Street Gateway plan 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 the entire region.
The work is expected to more than double passenger and train handling capacity, relieve congestion and be a catalyst for creating more than 5,000 jobs.
Linked to the work will be a redevelopment of the surrounding area which will include the installation of 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, Advantage West Midlands.
For more information please contact Barbara Bojang on 0121 303 3885.
Barbara Bojang
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0121 303 3885