STATIONS AS PLACES Opportunity Prospectus

An integrated masterplan vision and delivery plan for Longbridge Station

MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK PROPOSED LONGBRIDGE BUSINESS PARK

2 DEVON WAY

LONGBRIDGE TECHNOLOGY PARK

OFFICES AND YOUTH CENTRE

NEW PARK AND RIDE

RAILWAY STATION

LONGBRIDGE STATION JUNE 2020 Foreword

Introducing the concept of Stations as Places The Stations as Places programme aims to promote local railway stations as community ‘hubs’ rather than simply access points onto the rail network. The vision is to develop local railway stations as an asset highly valued within the community, contributing to economic growth and acting as a hub for creativity, heritage and social amenity. The Vision

“We will develop stations as quality gateways between communities and the railway, supporting the changing needs of our passengers, residents and visitors. Stations in the West Midlands will be community assets, supporting the wellbeing and development of the areas they serve through involving local community and business.” -West Midlands Station Alliance (WMSA) Mission Statement

What does the prospectus do for Longbridge? There is an important role for the railways to play in both the economic and social regeneration of the local areas which our stations serve. This Opportunity Prospectus sets out the economic, social and geographic landscape of the area around our station and highlights some of the opportunities for commercial development, partnership working, inward investment and community regeneration. We have included a profile of Longbridge Station in this document and looked at different types of activity neighbouring our station, from local businesses providing facilities to the travelling public, local authorities using existing assets in different ways, businesses looking for investment opportunities, and the impact of new development in the surrounding area.

Contents

Chapter Page Chapter Page Why ‘Stations as Places’? 3 Opportunity Plan 19 Get in touch and keep up to date Bringing our Partners together 4 'Last Mile' Concept Plan 20 About the Station 6 The Aspiration 21 You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you! What Do We Know? 7 Community Insight 23 Survey Results 11 Development Strategy 25 You can also follow progress on Stations Services and Trains 12 Opportunities for Investment 27 as Places at: Station Layout 13 Action Plan and Targets 28 www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance The Headline Opportunities 15 Who to contact and how to get involved 29

02 Why ‘stations as places’ for Birmingham University Station?

Who are the West Midlands Station Alliance? Prospectus What do we Know WMSA is a formal alliancing arrangement This Prospectus sets out the headline opportunities for between industry partners with a common Longbridge Station; including community integration, vision and forward plan, including improvements to the passenger environment and exploiting infrastructure owner Network Rail, station the potential of Longbridge as an important hub in the local facilities owner West Midlands Trains suburban multi-modal transport network. community (WMT) and local government West Midlands Rail Executive. The role of the ENGAGEMENT WMSA is to facilitate Stations as Places by bringing together various stakeholders to work together in partnership; ensuring that the Stations as Places vision and local aspirations are shared between the stakeholders, the infrastructure owner - the station facilities owner - and the building a Local Government VISION

Why Longbridge Station has been selected?

Longbridge Station serves an important role for residents Stations as Places commuting to Birmingham and Redditch, and for people travelling PROSPECTUS into Longbridge for education, shopping and employment. The station has recently been modernised with more ticket vending machines and upgrades to the service counter. The redevelopment of the local area and connections to the Camp Hill line from nearby Kings Norton Station will continue to increase passenger numbers. Monitoring Progress & Continuing Engagement

The drivers for developing this location

The regeneration of the former Rover car factory site has significantly altered local travel patterns over the last decade, and Longbridge continues to grow as a centre for mixed development of business, education, youth centre services, retail and residential land uses. The station serves an interchange function with bus stops, a cycle hub and a park and ride car park.

3 Bringing our Partners together

Our stakeholders really matter to us. Whether it’s a major developer building new homes in reach of the station, or an individual customer that needs to be able to make an easy journey to a hospital appointment using a combination of train and bus, the Stations as Places team wants to hear views from stakeholders and customers. Our inclusive consultation approach ensures we cover the 4 dimensions of:

COMMUNITY LOCAL PERSPECTIVE

A railway station is often a great asset to a community, but a community can Some railway stations are ideally suited for some areas and not at all for also be a great asset to a railway station. others.

Longbridge Station is already a valuable community asset, but there is room for The main station building has recently been stronger links with the community. Hence, developing links with the local community refurbished to create an attractive entry point and of Turves Green and Longbridge is identified as a key opportunity for the station. ticket sales area. Work is ongoing to create a new The commercial occupiers of Longbridge Town Centre and Technology Park are multi-storey park and ride car park that will include a keen for the station to be an attractive gateway to the area. Retired neighbours are step-free route to the station. As the number of users keen to work to improve the station and prepared to assist with maintenance of the increases, more investment can be made to improve greenspace. waiting areas and extend the range of facilities.

SOCIAL VALUE LEGACY

Transforming a railway station from a ‘passenger An important objective of Stations as Places is thoroughfare’ into a genuine community asset will to provide a long-term legacy by establishing have a positive impact on the local community. integration and community involvement as the heart of the Longbridge Station. The ongoing development of Longbridge Town Centre is bringing mixed retail, education, commercial and Growing commercial and residential development residential development around the station. The former in the neighbouring area is helping to revitalise the industrial area of the Longbridge car plant is fast station as an important local hub along the cross-city becoming a new ‘district centre’ in its own right. The railway line. Longbridge Station is well-connected to station lies at the heart of the community between local bus services, has a secure cycle parking area the established Turves Green residential area and and is located on the National Cycle Network. the newly redeveloped town centre. Rail travel is an essential mode of transport for local residents, students and staff at Bournville further education college.

4 About the station

KEY FACTS STATION TYPOLOGY • The Longbridge site was home to the largest car factory in Europe and spiritual home of the UK car industry, at one point employing up to 25,000 Local Gateway - serves small town, local centres and local interchanges. people at its peak. Key Features: • Closure of the car plant gave birth to a regeneration partnership between • Serves Longbridge neighbourhood centre Birmingham City Council, St Modwen, Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council. • Busy suburban station • This successful regeneration is bringing more employment, education, retail • Provides connections to local bus services and housing to the area. What was once a factory has now become a town • Serves nearby residential communities centre. The Longbridge Area Action Plan was adopted in 2009 and has guided the development throughout this period. • Acts as a gateway to the railway to serve local destinations on the Cross City line, plus Birmingham New Street and Bromsgrove/Redditch for • Rail patronage is increasing rapidly. The station has been recently refurbished wider rail connections and made more accessible. • Future growth offers the chance to consolidate and extend the range of facilities available for rail travellers and to better connect the station into the new community that is growing around it.

FACILITIES OVERVIEW Longbridge Station CCTV Customer infomation screens and announcements Ticket Office staffed: Monday to Friday 06:00 to 20:00 /Saturday 07:00 to 20:00/Sunday: 09:30 to 15:00 34 sheltered cycle parking spaces with CCTV A ticket vending machine is located in the booking hall. Accessible ticket machines are available at this station. Customer help points are located on both platforms Payphone Toilets (Passengers in possession of a RADAR key can access the toilets at all times) Ramp to access Platform 2 and a lift to access Platform 1.

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¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ ¬ What do we know?

Public Transport, Walking and Cycling Access Access to the station is step free from Longbridge Lane, with a ramp available cycle routes to link to Longbridge (southwards) and Rubery, and the Longbridge to access the southbound platform, and a lift for the northbound platform. area is included as a priority area for walking improvements, as a Green Travel A toucan crossing is located on Longbridge Lane, providing a safe connection to District (also in Birmingham Connected) and as a Core Walking Zone. westbound bus services. Bus stops are located adjacent to the station, on Longbridge Lane, and adjacent to A walking audit identified the following deficiencies in the pedestrian infrastructure the toucan crossing. These stops are served by the number 19, 39, 42, 49 and 145 local to the station: bus services, a summary of these services is provided within the table. • Missing tactile paving at dropped kerbs on routes to local facilities including TfWM is to deliver a Sprint bus rapid transit route in 2026 between Birmingham City Centre schools, shops and local centres along the A38 Bristol Road to Longbridge and Frankley.

• Lack of adequate lighting on Tessall Lane Service Destinations Frequency (Daytime) A Secure Cycle Parking hub, which is managed by TfWM, accommodates 26 cycle 19 Cofton Hackett to Birmingham City Centre (Via Every 30 minutes parking spaces and is located adjacent to the station onLongbridge Lane. Five University) additional Sheffield stands are located by the station entrance. 39 Longbridge - Worlds End via Northfield Hourly NCN 5 Rea Valley Route is located in close proximity to Longbridge Station, on 39A Woodgate Valley - Longbridge via Northfield Hourly Tessall Lane (and is to be diverted past the station). The cycle route provides a link 42 Hollymoor Way - West Heath via Longbridge Hourly northeast to Northfield and beyond to Birmingham City Centre, and southwest to Bromsgrove. 49 Solihull - Northfield via Cotteridge Every 20 minutes The Birmingham Walking and Cycling Strategy 2020, includes proposed off-road 145 Rubery - Longbridge - Bromsgrove - Droitwich Hourly

Crime and Safety Figures

7 What do we know?

Car Parking and Accessibility Annual Passenger Footfall

A park and ride car park is under construction and will be completed in late 2020. The new 2016/17 2017 / 18 2018 / 19 facility will be charged and will provide 490 spaces. 963,322 974,082 1.053 Million The former car park had capacity for 102 spaces and 5 blue badge spaces. Occupancy data for April 2018 demonstrated that the car park was operating at around 94% full. Patronage grew by almost 80,000 (8%) in just one year, reflecting the rapid economic development of this area The new car park will provide a step-free route from car park to station entrance. A ramped and the important role of the station. access will be provided to the southbound platform, with a lift and step access to northbound platform. Source: Office of Rail and Road (ORR), Estimates of Station Usage 2018-19

There is a layby for drop-off diagonally opposite the station on Longbridge Lane and a loading only bay near the station. Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) The SHLAA has indicated that there is the capacity for 1,630 new homes within a one-mile radius of Longbridge Station.

Source: Persimmon Homes

8 What do we know?

Local Activities and Enterprise

Heritage Regeneration

The history of Longbridge is dominated by car production. The site was famed for Following the closure of MG Rover, a Task Force partnership was established, and production of many popular models from the Austin 7 to the Mini, and was once one regeneration plans published in the Area Action Plan (2009). This plan is still being of the largest factory sites in the world. The station was one of two interchanges implemented and the area is now a thriving hub of mixed retail, entertainment, education, previously used by workers to access the factory. A historic line used to link Halesowen offices and premises for start-up businesses. with Longbridge. Turves Green was the common grazing land by the River Rea. The Austin Village of prefab wooden bungalows was built here in 1917 to house munitions Recent residential development includes a retirement village and a range of private workers at the Longbridge factory. The housing areas were modernised and extended housing, bringing more people into the local area. out to West Heath from the 1940s to 1960s although some of the original cedar wood cabins remain in Coney Green Drive and Hawksley Crescent, and can be seen from the Further residential and commercial sites will be delivered in the next five years bringing railway. The area is now a conservation area. additional housing and a new business park.

9 What do we know?

Local Activities and Enterprise

Community Connectivity

There is already a strong relationship between Birmingham City Council, TfWM, WMRA and The regeneration has included improved local bus interchange facilities on Longbridge developers as a result of the extensive regeneration activity. Lane and closure to traffic at Tessall Lane. St Modwen have proposed major public realm improvements on Longbridge Lane and within the town centre. B31 Voices is an online resource (b31.org.uk) that provides a virtual community group across the wider area to help empower local communities through voluntary practical help With good rail and road connections to the regional and national transport networks the and advice. regeneration of Longbridge looks set to continue. The proposals within this Station Travel Plan will build on the success of the Longbridge redevelopment scheme. An active residents’ group in Longbridge Retirement Village is keen to be involved in future development of the station.

St Modwen works closely with the commercial occupiers to organise community events such as fun runs and is a potential conduit for disseminating promotion.

South Birmingham College (operators of Bournville College) has an active travel plan for staff and students with regular targeted sustainable promotions particularly for the new intake each year.

Local cycle shop 3CJ runs a local community cycling club and there is a wider ‘Cycle South Birmingham’ group of activists.

Credit: Elliott Brown

10 Survey Results

How did you travel to the station? Where did you park at the station? What was the main purpose of your journey today?

Walk Taxi Parked at the station Work Meeting friends/relatives Car driver Cycle Parked on street Education Personal business Car passenger Dropped off Shopping Bus Leisure/recreation

Did you know? Did you know? These surveys were undertaken whilst the park 59% of survey participants used Birmingham New Street as their departure station, indicating that Longbridge and ride facility at Longbridge Station was closed. serves more users as a destination rather than a departure station. This would have been reflected in the 13% of users currently parking on-street, and as such it is 55% of survey participants live within 1 mile of their departure station, with the average person living just considered that the provision of the new park and 1.7 miles from their station. This demonstrates that there is a realistic opportunity to change the way people ride facility will draw people away from parking on travel to the station, particularly those driving to the station. local streets.

11 Services and Trains

OVERVIEW

• Longbridge Station offers the frequency of a train every 10 minutes on the core section of the Cross City Line between Longbridge and Four Oaks.

• The station has 2 trains an hour to Redditch during weekdays.

• Served by 3 car Class 323 Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) which have recently been refurbished with new interiors, better handrailing, accessible toilets and on-board information systems.

SERVICE DETAILS

Destinations and Key Stations Monday-Saturday Daytime Sunday Daytime (trains per (trains per hour) hour) Lichfield Stations 4 2 Longbridge 6 2 Birmingham New Street 3 4 Four Oaks 6 2 Redditch 2 2 Bromsgrove 1 1

• First Train: 06:05 – Birmingham New Street to Redditch

• Last Train: 00:03 – Longbridge to Birmingham New Street

TIMETABLES https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/timetables

12 Station Layout

Map Key

Cycle Parking Lifts Seats Pay Phone

Ticketing Help Point Waiting Room Toilet

13 Existing and Planned Development

MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK

OFFICES AND YOUTH CENTRE

NEW PARK AND RIDE

RAILWAY STATION

14 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Physical Improvements

• The existing shelter on the northbound platform is currently stepped, as such it would be beneficial to provide a step free access in the form of a simple concrete ramped infill to assist people with wheelchairs and pushchairs.

• As a longer term improvement, the station would benefit from enclosed, heated waiting areas on the platforms. These waiting areas could include advertisement boards and promote local businesses, such as the 3CJ cycle centre.

• The station serves as a gateway to a large employment and education centre and experiences a large footfall, as such, it may be suitable to provide a coffee kiosk within or adjacent to the station.

• The grass and shrub areas behind the platforms could be improved by decorative floral planting to enhance the sense of arrival and work could be undertaken with assistance from local community groups and businesses.

• The security of the Sheffield stands located adjacent to the station could be improved with installation of CCTV. The provision of bike maintenance facilities, such as bike tools and bike pumps would also be beneficial to cyclists using the facilities.

• The provision of parcel delivery lockers would also be a great convenience facility for those passing through the station as part of their daily commute and would strengthen the station’s role as the hub of the community.

• Consideration should be given to access northbound platform from the southern side of Longbridge Lane.

• There is the opportunity to explore more fundamental improvements at platform level to improve the sense of arrival whilst also looking at improving accessibility to the southbound platform.

15 The Headline Opportunities THE STATION

Operational Improvements

• New electric trains will be introduced next year on the Cross City line. They will offer increased capacity and a more pleasant customer journey.

• The new Camp Hill Line services will offer new interchange for passengers from Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell to interchange onto Bromsgrove services at Kings Norton.

• Services from Hereford, Cardiff and Bristol pass through the station, however at present there are no opportunities to interchange until University or Birmingham New Street. Whilst it would be a long term aspiration for these services to stop at Longbridge, it is not currently feasible due to capacity constraints.

• Operational improvements are constantly being reviewed, including train lengths and the precise timetabling of specific services to maximise performance.

Integration

• The new Park and Ride car park is due to open this year and will provide a vital facility for those heading into Birmingham city centre, particularly once Birmingham City Council’s clean air zone has been launched.

• Diversion of National Cycle Network 5 along Tessall Lane and Longbridge High St (2020) will provide a more direct route for those cycling to station. The new route will be incorporated into the Longbridge West redevelopment and will provide infrastructure for those undertaking onwards journeys by bike.

• It is the aspiration of Transport for West Midlands to launch a bike share scheme with docking stations across the city. Longbridge Station would be a prime location for a terminal and would provide rail users with a sustainable option for onward journeys.

• The provision of real time bus information at the station exits would improve the effectiveness of any interchange.

16 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Longbridge Station Wider connectivity improvements to the station Cycle infrastructure providing a connection Longbridge Station is located within Birmingham City Council area but is close to the border to Northfield with the County of Worcestershire and the District of Bromsgrove. These three local authorities have been important partners in shaping local regeneration, working with the private sector and public transport providers.

Road improvements were completed along the A38 and Longbridge Lane to improve access. Accessibility to Junction 4 of the M5 and the A38 is an advantage for commuters using Longbridge for park and ride on route to Birmingham. However this could lead to future parking Towards pressure on surrounding streets if the new park and ride becomes oversubscribed. Birmingham City Centre The NCNR 5 will be diverted along Tessall Lane, and Longbridge Lane, providing a more direct Rail to Brimingham New Street connection for cyclists to the station. This route would benefit from enhanced wayfinding and public realm improvements, particularly along Tessall Lane which has recently been closed to Rail to Barnt Green vehicular traffic. The route will re-join at Rubery Lane and be incorporated into new development at Longbridge West. Developers are working with SUSTRANS to deliver this route. idge Lo br ca g l C n e o n L t r

Bus Interchange on Longbridge Lane

Surrounding land use activities

The next scheduled redevelopment area is Longbridge West, on the far side of the A38. This development area will provide residential and employment uses within catchment of station and will incorporate the diverted NCNR 5.

17 The Headline Opportunities THE SURROUNDING AREA

Last Mile

When people arrive to Longbridge by train, their last mile will be undertaken by walking, cycling, bus or car. This will also be the first mile for people travelling away from site. Here we discuss the opportunities and aspirations to support this last and first leg.

• National Cycle Network Route 5, The Rea Valley cycle route presently passes along Tessall Lane to the north west of the station. There are plans to make a more direct link which will include a formal diversion of NCN5 to connect through Longbridge High Street and will be incorporated into the Longbridge West redevelopment. Tessall Lane has already been closed to through-traffic between the A38 and Longbridge Lane, providing a traffic-free access to the station.

• The A38 cycle route from Birmingham city centre is to be extended from Selly Oak to Longbridge and is included as a priority route within Birmingham’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

• The completion of the multi-storey car park will provide a new step free pedestrian link direct to the station. All crossing points along routes local to the station should be provided with dropped kerbs and tactile paving.

• Turves Green is located in close proximity to the station and benefits from schools and a large residential community. Wayfinding and public realm improvements should be considered along local pedestrian routes to these areas, particularly along Central Avenue.

• Wayfinding maps showing the key origins and destinations within a 5 minute walk and cycle distance from the station would be beneficial for those visiting the area for the first time. For example, wayfinding could include the open spaces at Lickey Hills and Cofton Park, alongside the new community fof Grovely Lane and around the area of Crofton Hackett.

A ‘Kiss and Ride’ layby could be integrated into the former entrance to Tessall Lane, providing a convenient place for taxi and car share drop offs. There is the opportunity to enhance this area with wayfinding and public realm improvements such as planting and lighting. Wayfinding signs can provide a better journey experience to cyclists, by directing users along the most convenient and bicycle friendly routes.

18 Opportunity Plan

Diversion of NCNR Step free access to Enclosed heated 5 along Tessall Lane existing shelter waiting rooms Potential Station and Longbridge High Street, with enhanced Advertisement and Neighbours wayfinding. promotion of new park Several important neighbours can and ride facilities in new become more involved as formal waiting rooms ‘Friends of’ the station including:

• Bournville College • Longbridge Retirement Village • St Modwen (Longbridge High St) and commercial occupiers • 3CJ Cycles

Context maps and wayfinding boards to highlight routes to local communities

Investigate the potential to provide a coffee kiosk in the ticket hall or adjacent to the station Installation of parcel lockers Decorative planting with Extension of platforms to for the convenience and assistance from local accommodate longer rolling efficiency of commuters community groups stock for increased passengers

Installation of CCTV

19 'Last Mile' Concept Plan

Last Mile Concept Plan The 'Last Mile' concept plan considers other land uses in the surrounding area and what the priorities should be in terms of integration of sustainable transport modes and station facilities. Key local stakeholders have been identified through initial consultation and auditing of the local area. Engagement will focus on improving access to rail services and how Stations as Places can unlock development potential and enhance existing connectivity for residents and the local economy.

The new Park and Ride facilities will Kiss and Ride layby to be located provide a vital link once the Clean Air at former entrance to Tessall Lane. Zone launches within central Birmingham

Regional Bike Share Terminal Key located adjacent to Longbridge Existing residential development Station. Install E-bike charging point in cycle hub. Open space/rural

Existing Commercial/Industrial Future Wayfinding and public ueenLocal Eliabeth Centre Development realm improvements Hospital towards Turves Green Major Road University Station Railway Line Longbridge Station

Cycle Route Birmingham University Longbridge Realignment of NCNR 5 to Local Centre Canal/Waterway pass Longbridge Station and to provide a cycle connection to Longbridge High Street

Future Development of the pedestrian Development Regional cycle routes to be extended along the infrastructure,Selly Oak Station linking the station with the proposed A38 from Selly Oak to Longbridge Business Park Longbridge. Included as a priority route within the Birmingham LCWIP.

20 The Aspiration

“We are keen to be involved as station adopters. The station is really important in providing access to the railway for our residents. We are keen to influence the development of station What the LOCAL accessibility improvements” COMMUNITY has to - Longbridge Retirement Village (260 bed apartment complex) say about the station

“Longbridge Station is at a crossroads. It is an important park and ride site for the residents of south Birmingham and north Worcestershire but also an increasingly important destination in it’s own right.” What the LOCAL

AUTHORITY has to say “Longbridge Station has great potential due to the increasing variety of local land use and about the station the excellent connections with other modes.”

21 “Longbridge is already a brilliant place to do business and we’re committed to diversifying its offer and truly unlocking its potential for the next phase of development” - St Modwen

“Increased investment and development in Birmingham and the wider area means it’s a What the LOCAL pivotal moment for Longbridge to continue to build on its proven credentials as a business destination.” COMMUNITY has to - Savills say about the station

“Longbridge is a great place for a business and our staff love working here. It’s a great alternative to the city centre, made so by the excellent cycling, bus and rail connections.” - PJA

Longbridge as a Green Travel District Longbridge was designated as a Green Travel District by BCC within the Birmingham Connected White Paper. With so many of the original operators still on site, there may be the interested in reforming the GTD, with the opportunity to build upon the Station Travel Plan and actively promote community involvement in the station.

22 Listening to our community

Community Workshop

A virtual community workshop gave the community a great opportunity to put forward their views on the station issues and opportunities. The main take-away messages were as follows:

• Extend the high level of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure into nearby communities at Turves Green and Cofton and to the Lickey Hills and Cofton Park.

• It is important to ensure that adequate walking and cycling infrastructure is present to incentivise people to walk and cycle to the station.

• Local businesses are supportive of the prospectus and committed to working with the community.

• There are a lot of development opportunities (including leisure) to make Longbridge more of a destination. Realignment of NCN route 5 crucial to consider the last mile as a holistic multi modal approach.

• Improved accessibility (lift or better ramp) for the Southbound platform was seen as a priority along with the need for station maintenance.

Thanks to our key stakeholders who had their say:

• Birmingham City Council

• St Modwen

• West Midlands Station Alliance

• Longbridge Shopping

• Colliers

• Local MP representative

23 Making station a better place

How to get more efficient use of the station? Pedestrian and Cycling Access

• Longbridge Station’s role as a busy suburban station and gateway to the railway • Improve walking routes to the station, particularly by improving tactile provision for the local community places a high importance of ensuring that ‘last mile’ at crossing points. walking and cycling links are high quality and link to existing networks, the National Cycle Network, neighbourhood centres, amenities and green corridors • Provide wayfinding and new lighting along Tessall Lane. By increasing directness and ease of access, more users will be persuaded to ditch the car and travel to • Sustainable access links to the station should be integrated into future the station on foot. masterplanning, planning frameworks and land use development proposals to ensure that railway offers an attractive transport choice for new residents and • Improve cycling mode share by introducing bike maintenance facilities and workers. CCTV at cycle parking areas.

• The new trains will provide increased comfort for passengers along the Cross • Provide West Midlands bike share scheme terminal at the station City line.

Managing car parking demand

The former 102 space car park was frequently fully occupied and as such, a new 490 space park and ride car park is being constructed.

Waiting Areas

The recent refurbishment of the main station building did not include any significant improvements to passenger waiting areas at platform level which are cold and uninviting. This is a priority for future investment.

Public Transport

• The new Camp Hill Line services offers new interchange for passengers from Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell to interchange onto Bromsgrove services at Kings Norton

• The introduction of real time bus information at the station would support rail to bus interchange.

24 Making the Station a better place DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Short Term

• A new step-free access will be provided from the park and ride car park directly into the station

• Residents of Longbridge Retirement Village are keen to take up station adoption as ‘friends of the station’ and influence discussions about any future accessibility improvements. There is also interest from commercial occupiers of Longbridge Business Park (PJA) in adoption

• Measures to divert National Cycle Route 5 through Longbridge via Tessall Lane and Austin Park are already underway and connecting local cycle routes are proposed in Birmingham’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

• Installation of an automatic defibrillator at the station

• Provision of tactile paving at all junctions along local routes

• Installation of context maps at the station exits, providing a connection to local neighbourhoods

• Provide wayfinding and public realm improvements along Tessall Lane

• Work with 3CJ cycles (local shop) to promote use of secure cycle shelters by offering cycle servicing etc for rail users

• Provision of enclosed waiting shelters/canopies on the platforms

• CCTV coverage of cycle parking areas

• Improvement of the existing green areas by decorative planting with assistance from local community groups and businesses

• Provide step-free access to the existing shelter on the northbound platform (could be provided with a simple concrete ramped infill)

25 Making the Station a better place DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Medium Term

• The new business park on the A38 and the intensification of housing development will start to alter the character of Longbridge Lane and provides a case for remodelling the highway with aesthetic improvements to foster the ‘town centre’ feel

• Engagement with car-park users to develop car-sharing for Park and Ride users.

• Introduction of bike share scheme and e-bike hire as part of roll-out of the West Midlands wide scheme

• Better connections to Kings Heath and Moseley via interchange at Kings Norton

• Direct engagement with the growing local business community (existing High St, Innovation Centre and new business park occupiers) and College to develop sustainable travel using rail such as season-ticket sales, personal travel planning, links to live travel updates

• Programme of events based around the station. Celebration of the 120th anniversary of Austin motors in 2025 with heritage displays within station buildings

• Provision of waiting rooms and refreshment kiosk as patronage grows

• Lift access to southbound platform, removal of old staircases from original station

• Regional cycle routes to be extended along the A38 from Selly Oak to Longbridge. Included as a priority route within the Birmingham LCWIP Long Term • Work with St Modwen to promote rail travel towards their target of net-zero carbon emissions associated with their sites by 2040

• Further neighbourhood improvements along Longbridge Lane to east of station as final part of area action plan delivery

• New retail/refreshment opportunities within/adjacent to station to cater for growing patronage

• Additional bus interchange facilities to accommodate bus/rail journeys from increased housing in Cofton, Rubery and Frankley

• Improvement of the existing green areas by decorative planting with assistance from local community groups and businesses

26 OPPORTUNITIES for INVESTMENT

The Stations as Places Prospectus should act as a means of providing an evidence base which can attract funding opportunities and implement quick-win initiatives and measures. To achieve this, continuous stakeholder involvement and collaboration is crucial to develop relationships within the communities that the Stourbridge stations serve.

OPTIONS FOR DELIVERY

Section 106 External Funding Match Funding Commercial Revenue Third Party Funding

Section 106 funding can be West Midlands Combined Access for All (AfA) funding is Potential for commercial Customer and Communities secured when a third party Authority, Transport for West a key part of the Government's revenue from any new Improvement Fund (CCIF). development relates to the Midlands, West Midlands Inclusive Transport Strategy refreshment facilities Subject to Department for station (in planning terms). Trains, Network Rail to improve the accessibility of implemented. Transport (DFT) approvals, Heritage Fund, Birmingham Great Britain's railway. This West Midlands Trains has CC, Local Enterprise funding is specifically targeted an annual budget 2020-21 of Partnership, Growth at providing improvements at £1.7million to support schemes Company Funding etc. stations which can enable more that are proposed, developed disabled people to access the and delivered by our customers, rail network. communities and stakeholders. This exciting programme will run every year for six years.

EASY WINS

Cycle Rail Community and Volunteering resources

As result of the Cycle Rail Fund awarding in 2019, it was announced an extra 2,300 cycle The Birmingham LCWIP prioritises a number of proposed cycle routes spaces to be built at 48 stations across England, enabling commuters to cycle directly to the in the vicinity of University and Selly Oak Station which would increase station and lock-up their bike securely. accessibility to the station by bike. There is the opportunity to fund some measures through Birmingham City Council Transportation and Highways The Cycle Rail Programme has already tripled the number of cycle parking spaces at more capital programme. than 500 stations, bringing the total to over 80,000. The Cycle Rail programme is a great opportunity to get funding to improve cycling facilities and security around railway stations.

27 ACTION PLAN Making the station a better place - achieving mode change

Mode shift targets provide a focus for the Stations as Place prospectus, as a way of measuring whether future schemes have a positive impact on sustainable travel. The Walking Cycling Public Transport station is in a favourable location in terms of significant local employment generators, with walking making up the majority of the existing share. Currently, 56% of people Target Target Target access the station by walking and 5% by cycling.

A regional cycle route is to be extended along the A38 from Selly Oak to Longbridge 60% 6% 10% and is included as a priority route within the Birmingham LCWIP. As such, there is a Existing Existing Existing real opportunity to increase the number of passengers that cycle to access the station and the railway network. 56% 1% 7%

Action Responsibility Timescale

Secure adoption by West Midlands Railway Short community group

Install wayfinding along TfWM and BCC Short Tessall Lane and incorporate planters into the mode filter.

Mode shift from car to cycle TfWM Medium as a method to travel to the station.

Deliver new cycle TfWM and BCC Long infrastructure between Selly Oak and Longbridge

28 Who to contact and how to get involved

The Stations as Places initiative is designed to be open to all.

We really want to engage with organisations of different shapes and sizes. We’d love to hear from developers and their consultant teams about how we can work more closely with you to connect with your development schemes, especially if you are needing people to take the train to ease pressure of the road network and make your development proposals work effectively.

But we’d also love to hear from shopkeepers and other local businesses, from social enterprises and residents groups, and from organisations supporting disabled people and others needing accessibility support. So how to get involved?

You can email [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you!

• Give us feedback about this Prospectus • Flag up an opportunity with your proposed development • Talk to us about how your organisation can get involved

You can also follow progress on Stations as Places at www.wmre.org.uk/stationsalliance