Plans to transform New Street station into a world class gateway for Birmingham and the region were unveiled today. The "Birmingham Gateway" scheme would see £500 million of public and private investment in the complete redesign and redevelopment of the station and surrounding area.

Plans for the station include:

• More space, greatly increasing passenger capacity and relieving congestion
• World class passenger facilities:
  • Brighter, cleaner and clearer platforms
  • Better access to platforms facilitated by 42 new escalators and 14 new lifts
  • A new, enlarged concourse three and a half times bigger than the current space
  • A hi-tech transparent roof
  • Transformation of the concourse level into a giant atrium, flooding the station with natural light
  • Comfortable, spacious and modern waiting lounges
  • World class customer information systems, improving communications with passengers
• A new contemporary station exterior, in keeping with a modern city centre
• Two new open public spaces: a piazza on the south side of the station and a public square opposite the Bullring
• New pedestrian links across the city centre with direct access and interchange with the planned Metro stop in Stephenson Street

The new plans are the product of 18 months of detailed analysis by a study group including senior representatives from Network Rail; Birmingham City Council; Advantage West Midlands; Centro; and the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority (WMPTA). The analysis shows that Birmingham Gateway is good value for money, and meets transportation and regeneration objectives.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's Director, Operations and Customer Services said: "Birmingham New Street station handles 3.5 million passengers every year. The Gateway project would transform the station, increasing capacity and significantly easing passenger congestion. It would provide passengers with world class facilities, enabling New Street to accommodate the growth of the railway for generations to come. It will be a great gateway to a great city.

Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council added: "Birmingham Gateway is the product of a lot of hard work and analysis by a strong partnership of dedicated professionals. As well as being a catalyst for economic development at the heart of our city, this scheme is good value for money and would deliver significant wider regeneration potential for the region."

Nick Paul, Chairman of Advantage West Midlands said: "This scheme would deliver a world class gateway to the region, acting as a catalyst for regeneration and redevelopment in the hinterland. The analysis shows that Birmingham Gateway would mean better access to jobs and training for local people, and an increase in the number of business travellers and visitors seeking to invest or spend in the region."

Councillor Gary Clarke, Chairman of the WMPTA concluded: "With one in five people arriving at peak times in Birmingham by train, redeveloping New Street station is a top priority for WMPTA and Centro. We're fully backing these plans to give the city and region the gateway station it needs and deserves."

Over the next year the Birmingham Gateway partners will be working on funding arrangements and planning processes to get the scheme moving. Work on the project could start as early as 2008.

Please contact Network Rail's press office for further information on 0121 345 3100

Notes to editors:

1. Visual images of the plans for New Street are available, contact Network Rail press office on 0121 345 3100
2. The Birmingham Gateway project allows for £500 million investment to improve and modernise the passenger facilities and space at New Street station. Of this £350 million will come from the public sector including regional government and development agencies. It is envisaged the scheme will also lever in £150 million worth of private investment by commercial redevelopment on the south side of the station
3. The redevelopment of New Street will take around four and a half years from the start of work in 2008. The station would remain open throughout, minimising disruption for passengers and the railway while the work is carried out
4. More information on the Birmingham Gateway project can be found at www.renewstreet.co.uk
5. Network rail is the 'not for dividend' owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure, which includes the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level crossings and stations - the largest of which they also manage
6. Network rail are working to rebuild Britain's railway and provide a safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure for freight and passenger trains to use
7. Network Rail's website is: www.networkrail.co.uk