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"DAY TO CELEBRATE" AS NEW STREET REVAMP APPROVED

12-02-2008

Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby has called this "a day to celebrate" after hearing that the New Street Station revamp will finally get the go-ahead.  Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly will make the official announcement when she visits the city today.

Whitby, who has steered the station’s Gateway Project for the last four years, was in jubilant mood after hearing that the government has sanctioned a £400 million investment.

That will trigger a further £200 million from private developers – and Whitby promises there will be more to come:  “I guarantee that we will be able to accelerate that, and shortly we’ll be announcing another major project.”

The leader’s role in pulling the scheme together should not be under-estimated. 

He’s had to win the backing of other local authorities around the West Midlands, who’ve agreed to spend £100 million to ensure that New Street can become a rail hub worthy of the region it serves.

“When I got involved in 2004, there was just £10 million on the table, and 23 different options,” Whitby recalls.

“We had to work hard until all the different parties came behind the Gateway Project – and once we’d made up our minds, we had to go for it.

“That said, four years isn’t a bad time period for a Grand Project, so let’s enjoy the moment.  This is a day to celebrate.”

Today's announcement represents a major turnaround, given that until recently the government seemed unconvinced by Gateway.

Last year, they only set aside £128 million in the Rail White Paper, and there were claims that Birmingham hadn’t put a proper business case together.

Now, though, all is sweetness and light, with Ruth Kelly saying, “"Birmingham is a key gateway to towns and cities across Britain and this investment will make New Street a more enjoyable experience for the 17m passengers who use it each year. 

“This scheme has been in development for some time and has improved immeasurably so that it can now meet the needs of passengers and deliver a much needed boost to capacity. 

The Government is making a major investment in Birmingham New Street and it is now up to Birmingham City Council and its partners to transform this station into one of the best in our country.”

Are you excited by the New Street development?  Leave a comment on The Stirrer Forum.