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Perry Barr station and bus interchange

We’re investing £30.9 million to redevelop Perry Barr station and bus interchange by spring 2022. This is part of the West Midlands Rail Programme (WMRP). 

The project will create a modern, fit-for-purpose new rail station and bus interchange. It will also improve the area around the station.   

This work will also provide:

  • increased capacity 
  • better facilities and access

This will support the Perry Barr regeneration programme led by Birmingham City Council. It will also support the council’s ambitions for a greener future by providing a realistic alternative to travelling by car.

The new station will be used for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics.

The challenge - why we're doing this

Perry Barr station was rebuilt in the 1960s when the railway line was electrified. It was designed to accommodate up to 250,000 journeys per year. Between 2018 and 2019, passengers made just under 700,000 journeys. 

At the moment, the station has poor access. There is a narrow entry between shops and there are no lifts. The station lacks facilities - there are no toilets and there is no bike parking. There is an underpass that connects the station to the east of the A34. People do not think the underpass is safe. 

The bus interchange is outdated and difficult to access from the station. Pedestrians have to cross several traffic lanes to reach it. The current road layout also means it takes a long time for buses to access the interchange.

The solution - what the project will do

We’ve demolished the old station and the buildings next to it. This means we can build a new, much bigger station with improved lighting and facilities. The new station will be able to support 1.1 million passengers per year.

The new station building will have:

  • an accessible toilet
  • passenger help points
  • a waiting area
  • a ticket office
  • secure bike parking
  • CCTV
  • lifts and upgraded stairs

There will be new entrances on both sides of the station. This will make it easier to get to. It will also link the One Stop Shopping Centre and local commercial centre to the railway. 

The area around the station will change. It will become safer and more attractive. The project will: 

  • improve the public area outside the station with landscaping
  • remove the underpass
  • encourage more people to get the train instead of driving

The new bus interchange will have:

  • a better layout so buses can get to it more quickly
  • new bus shelters
  • a new stop for the Sprint service
  • a new pedestrian area between the interchange, train station and One Stop

The Perry Barr regeneration programme will also include:

  • new homes
  • walking and cycling routes
  • improvements to public transport
  • new community facilities and public spaces

Our partners

We’re working on this project with: 

  • Transport for West Midlands
  • West Midlands Trains (operators of West Midlands Railway)
  • Network Rail
  • Birmingham City Council
  • Midlands Engine
  • Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership
  • Galliford Try
  • SLC-AECOM Joint Venture