LONGBRIDGE’S new-look railway station has fully reopened after a £1.7million revamp, writes Roman Filkin.
The old station rooms were demolished to create a larger concourse, complete with new flooring, automatic doors, accessible toilet and a bigger ticket counter.
A new front, glazed roof and cladding has also improved the appearance of the building and increased the amount of natural daylight.
The project was delivered by Network Rail as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan.
The majority of the funding has come from the £70million National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) which is helping transform railway stations across the country. Other cash for the scheme has come from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Network Rail’ Harpreet Singh-Moore, who managed the project, said: “This major overhaul of Longbridge station is a huge improvement for passengers who use the station each week.”
He added the new bright and modern station was now fit for the area currently being enhanced by new businesses, leisure and housing developments.
West Midlands Railway’s head of corporate affairs Francis Thomas said: “Travelling by rail in the West Midlands has never been more popular.
“It is great to see new investment in Longbridge Station.
“This redevelopment has significantly improved the experience for our passengers.”
He added the company was investing £1billion overall into upgrading services across the network and that would include the new trains on the Cross City Line.
Northfield MP Richard Burden, said he and other stakeholders had campaigned for Longbridge Station to be transformed so it could provide the town centre a welcoming gateway, as well as the transport benefits to residents, businesses and Bournville College.
“These improvements are an important step towards achieving those objectives.”
