Another major landmark was reached in the redevelopment of Birmingham's New Street station today, as Network Rail submitted an outline planning application to Birmingham City Council.  This progress follows the recent publication of a regional rail capacity study and vocal support from West Midlands MPs and leading figures from the business community in the region.

The outline planning submission seeks agreement in principle from the city council to proceed with the detailed planning phase of the £500m investment programme to transform Birmingham New Street and regenerate a large part of the city centre. It also reveals more about the New Street Gateway scheme, including:

Capacity to handle 150 per cent more passengers during the peak periods every day. Passenger flow and access to the platforms will be greatly improved by new lifts and escalators and a Concourse that is more than three times bigger

The creation of a pedestrian street similar to the thoroughfare in the International Convention Centre linking the north and south sides of the station

A new hi-tech atrium roof, which will be constructed from the same material used on the Eden Project. This will allow natural light to flood into the concourse, transforming the environment for passengers

Plans to maximise the development opportunity on the South Side of the station by bringing in 200m of private sector investment. This will generate up to 3,000 new jobs, creating new commercial space and residential development

A new public square in front of the station, improving pedestrian links to the Bullring and acting as a further catalyst for regeneration

The project will be redeveloped in two phases enabling the station to continue to operate throughout construction. This will minimise disruption for passengers and make it possible for Gateway to deliver the first half of the project by early 2011.

The submission of the outline planning application brings with it further confidence that the planned start of site work in early 2008 will be acheived. Network Rail will be using this time until the start of works to undertake detailed analysis of the construction plans to ensure the continued operation of the station throughout the construction period.

More information available at the Network Rail media centre