Work starts on new Perry Barr railway station following demolition of outdated buildings

The unattractive and outdated Perry Barr railway station has been demolished clearing the way for the £30m redevelopment.

Time lapse footage shows the station and attached row of shops pulled down at night to avoid disruption to the rail services still using the line.

A new purpose-built standalone station will be constructed over the next 12 months and be ready in time to welcome visitors to the area for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

They will find a light and airy station with increased capacity, offering a vastly improved environment and facilities for passengers including lift access to the platforms, improved ticket office, accessible toilets, CCTV security cameras and cycle parking. 

More than 40 people are employed on this development, with many more jobs and businesses being supported through the construction supply chain. 

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "This redevelopment of the eyesore Perry Barr station is long overdue, and I am delighted that just days since being re-elected as Mayor we've been able to get on with the work and tear the old station down. It was a hideous building with poor access for wheelchair and pushchairs, and almost certainly put people off using public transport. 

"The new, modern, Perry Barr station will have more space, public toilets, better travel information, and CCTV, to create a far better experience for passengers. Given the station will be a gateway to the Commonwealth Games next year, it is absolutely vital we get this much-needed work done. 

"The development is also taking shape just at the right time as we look to bounce back quickly from the pandemic - with jobs being created both on site and in the supply chain. Infrastructure projects such as this are going to be critical to my plans to create 100,000 jobs and employment opportunities in just two years." 

The development, being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), is taking place alongside the wider regeneration of Perry Barr which includes a new road layout and thousands of new homes. 

The £30 million funding package will also cover the redevelopment of the bus interchange outside the One Stop Shopping centre. 

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is also developing a Sprint bus corridor, due to launch in 2022, offering reliable and rapid services along the A34 and A45 between Walsall, Birmingham and Solihull. The existing A34 segregated blue cycle lane will also be extended to the nearby Alexander Stadium and Perry Park. 

Cllr Brigid Jones, WMCA portfolio lead for inclusive communities and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It is great to see this long-awaited project taking shape. 

"The new station will not only be a vast improvement on what came before, but will also link to the wider transport network through the new bus interchange next door as well as the reliable and rapid bus services along the Sprint corridor and the new safe cycle route stretching from the city centre to Alexander Stadium. 

"These improved links are vital if we are to encourage people to switch from cars to more sustainable forms of transport, helping us reduce traffic congestion and move towards achieving our #WM2041 target of being a net zero-carbon region within the next 20 years." 

Dave Penney, Network Rail's central route director, said: "The new Perry Barr station will transform passenger experience and provide a fitting gateway to the Commonwealth Games stadium. It's great to see work progressing on this important development."

The project partnership includes TfWM, the West Midlands Rail Executive, Birmingham City Council, Network Rail and West Midlands Trains. The majority of funding has come from the WMCA, Birmingham City Council and the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government (MCHLG). 

This development is part of a £500 million+ investment in Perry Barr led by Birmingham City Council. The Perry Barr regeneration programme will see the delivery of new homes, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, new community facilities and lively public spaces to make it the most well-connected area in the region. Find out more:  https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/perry-barr-regen  

Cllr Brigid Jones, apprentice Haroon Sajad and Mayor Andy Street view the progress on the station site