University station
In January 2024, we completed the rebuild of University station in Birmingham, which is part of the West Midlands Rail Programme (WMRP).
The new station will make a huge difference to passengers, improving access to some of Birmingham’s world-leading institutions, including:
- the University of Birmingham
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
The new state-of-the-art station buildings provide more capacity and better facilities. It is much easier to use and navigate.
New facilities and improvements
The station has new and improved facilities, with an increased capacity and more space for passengers. It is now capable of accommodating 7.2 million passengers a year.
The new station buildings have:
- new toilets
- space for an NHS facility
- a ticket office
- seating
- customer information screens
- CCTV
New entrances and exits make it much easier to get in and out of the station. There is also a new pedestrian bridge over the canal which provides direct access to the University of Birmingham. Passengers are also able to get to the station from the canal towpath.
The station also provides:
- full-length canopies on the platforms to protect passengers from the weather
- a new footbridge, stairs and lifts between the platforms – improving accessibility for all passengers
The new station will encourage more people to use the trains instead of driving, reducing congestion on the road network.
We are also carrying out electrical and telecoms works on the original station building. These upgrades will last around 6 weeks and commence in March 2024, following the completion of the passenger drop off point on Vincent Drive. During this time the original station building will be closed. Once the works are complete the building will reopen as an exit only.
Take a closer look at the station
Gallery
Why we rebuilt the station
The original University station was built in 1978 and designed to accommodate half a million passengers a year. Between 2018 and 2019 there were just under 4 million passenger journeys through the station, making overcrowding a serious issue. Furthermore, this was predicted to over 7 million per year by 2069.
The station was often overcrowded, especially at peak times and the platforms were narrow with limited shelter for bad weather. High passenger numbers contributed to delays.
Our partners
We worked on the station rebuild with:
- Transport for West Midlands
- West Midlands Trains (operators of West Midlands Railway)
- Network Rail
- University of Birmingham
- Department for Transport
- Birmingham City Council
- Midlands Engine
- Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership
- Canal and River Trust
- CrossCountry
- VolkerFitzpatrick
- SLC-AECOM Joint Venture