Prosposals for a £10m upgrade at Birmingham’s second busiest rail station have been given the go-ahead by members of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority.

Councillors voted for a new entrance to be built at the northern end of Snow Hill Station (at today’s meeting).  They consider it will provide better access for that area of the city centre, boost regeneration and link with a future Midland Metro stop.

“There are some very clear benefits to passengers in proceeding with this scheme.  It can make a difference to something like half a million journeys a year and will give a boost to integrated public transport,” says PTA Chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.  “Our colleagues on Birmingham’s Cabinet have also emphasised the substantial regeneration benefits for this area of the city and I am keen to give them our backing.”

The Snow Hill Second Access was originally intended to provide a multi-modal interchange with a new coach station proposed for a neighbouring site on Great Charles Street.  It makes use of an existing railway arch to provide new access to the northern end of Snow Hill Station platforms – without this passengers from the Ludgate Hill area need to cross the A38 by a subway, climb the hill to Colmore Row then re-trace their steps via a bridge link back into the station.

Although the coach station proposal has since been dropped by Birmingham City Council, Centro’s report showed there is still a strong business case for the new rail station entrance.