Key takeaways
7
year transformation
55M
passengers annual capacity
3000+
workers on site at peak
- Prefabrication of modular ‘service spine’ saved 10,000 working hours and resulted in 57% carbon emissions reduction.
- Development of ‘Mega Muncher’ allowed demolition to take place quietly, resulting in a 50% reduction in programme time.
- Signature atrium roof required the transfer of 200 tonnes of steel, a logistical challenge that required technical expertise.
Stations are increasingly becoming destinations in their own right, acting as a catalyst for inner city regeneration. Birmingham New Street station and Grand Central’s redevelopment has boosted daily passenger capacity from 170,000 to 240,000 as well as dramatically improving the overall passenger experience.
Every week the team had to solve challenges due to the complexity of a station located in the city centre with trains arriving or departing every 37 seconds, as well as issues such as crumbling 1960s concrete and the presence of significant asbestos. As Network Rail’s Delivery Partner we built ‘one team’ with us, our client and the design team collaborating to overcome these and many other challenges.
The new station concourse is five times the size of the original station with a striking triple height atrium topped with a ‘bubble’ roof made from ETFE, a fluorine-based plastic. Sitting above the station, is Grand Central, Birmingham’s newest premium shopping destination housing more than 60 new stores and a major new 23,000 square metre John Lewis store.
