Curzon Street Station Design

October 2018

www.hs2inbirmingham.commonplace.is 2 Curzon Street Station Introduction, history and context

Who are WSP? As well as enhancing Birmingham’s In 2018 High Speed Two Ltd (HS2) transport connections, the station commissioned WSP to design will create a new landmark to help Curzon Street Station. WSP is a drive forward the regeneration of world leading engineering solutions Eastside and Digbeth, where job consultancy who are working with opportunities and economic benefits Grimshaw, Glenn Howells and Grant for local people will be created. Associates to design the station and surrounding areas. In addition to the new station, separate plans are being progressed History of the site to redevelop the original Grade 1 The old Curzon Street Station was listed Curzon Street Station building. originally opened on 9 April 1838 The renovated building will house a and is the former terminus for the visitor centre and office space that London and Birmingham Railway will be used by HS2 along with other which was the first direct railway line organisations. Once in place, the linking the two cities. Now one of the building will serve as a community oldest surviving Rail Terminus’ in the engagement hub for HS2. world, the building was designed to match the impressive Doric Arch at Euston Square. Both buildings were How many passengers will designed by Philip Hardwick, use the new station? a renowned British architect who • 9 trains per hour designed many rail stations and warehouses in London. • 1,100 passengers per train • 16 carriages per train Future of the site The new Curzon Street Station will be • 400m long trains the first intercity station built in • 3 00,000 passengers per day Britain since the 19th Century. It will anticipated by 2033 be located next to the original Curzon Street Station building and will be the Birmingham terminus for HS2. 3

The old Curzon Station c1830, designed by Philip Hardwick.

The new Curzon station c2026 (view approaching the western entrance through station square). 4

The western entrance of the station, and Station Square. 5

The western entrance of the station, and Station Square. 6 Curzon Street Station Design ambitions

HS2 has a set of key design ambitions We also want the new station to based around People, Time and link different parts of Birmingham Place. This was the starting point for together, and enable regeneration WSP and its architects. In addition, and growth within Digbeth and the following feedback from previous surrounding areas. stakeholders and the public, other key design ambitions were also As the station design developed, prioritised. These were: different areas within the design boundary (the red line) started to take ··Creating public spaces around the on different characteristics as seen in new station that will enhance the the diagram below. character and vibrancy of the area by providing areas for recreation and leisure.

··Creating the opportunity for new shops and retail spaces.

··Installing public art projects to Key Character Areas celebrate and reflect local culture in the station design.

··Preserving and enhancing the setting of local heritage assets, including the original Grade 1 listed Curzon Street Station building. WESTERN CURZON STREET STATION CONCOURSE ··Creating a station that links seamlessly with other types of transport such as the metro, bus, walking and cycling networks. 7

HS2 Station Design Ambitions

People Place Time

Design for everyone Design for a Design to stand

to benefit and enjoy sense of place the test of time

ST. GEORGE AND HS2 station site boundary ST. CHAD

JEWELLERY SNOW HILL / QUARTER CHILDREN’S KNOWLEDGE HUB

HOSPITAL

EXCHANGE SQUARE MARTINEAU GALLERIES

RETAIL / CBD

DIGBETH / CREATIVE

QUARTER

WESTSIDE

SMITHFIELD AND

SOUTHSIDE HS2 will bring parts of the city together. Key Character Areas Connecting Emerging Districts

CURZON STREET STATION EASTERN CONCOURSE 8 Curzon Street Station Connectivity

It is important for the design of We have also created a secondary Curzon Street Station and the public space along New Canal Street, surrounding public space to integrate and an eastern entrance for passengers into Birmingham’s future transport wishing to enter and exit the station network. In the design, our aim has towards the university and Digbeth. been to maximise the links with other forms of transport, and specific Legend provision has been made for: LOD boundary

Tram route ··Integration of the Midland Metro Bus route ‘Birmingham Eastside Extension’, Services route James Watt Queensway with a stop in Albert Street, serving Emergency access route the Western and Eastern concourse. Taxi circulation Short stay car park circulation Old Square Staff car park circulation ··A simple and seamless connection to Combined two-way vehicular route for taxi, private car & The Priory Queensway Moor Street Station. emergency access

Controlled vehicular access

··Pedestrian routes to local bus TAXI Taxi pick up/drop off

services, Sprint (a rapid transit bus Bus stop TAXI Future Development service) and onwards to other train Sprint bus stop TAXI services. Corporation Street Tram stop

··Provision of safe, convenient cycle Albert Street

access and cycle parking. St Michael’s Catholic Church Retail Entrance& Secondary ··Generous station square public space with good public transport, Carrs Lane walking and cycling links into Digbeth Moor Street Queensway and the City Centre. Paternoster Row

Park Street

Moor Street Station

Swan Passage

TRAM ROUTE TAXI CIRCULATION COMBINED TWO-WAY VEHICULAR ROUTE FOR TAXI, BUS STOP Project: HS2 CURZON STREET PRIVATE CAR & EMERGENCY ACCESS BUS ROUTE SHORT STAY CAR PARK SPRINT BUS STOP Subject: DAL03 Strategy Diagram - Multi-Modal Transport Movement CIRCULATION CONTROLLED VEHICULAR ACCESS SERVICES ROUTE TRAM STOP Scale: 1:1250@A1 / 1:2500@A3

STAFF CAR PARK CIRULATION TAXI TAXI PICK UP/DROP OFF EMERGENCY ACCESS ROUTE 9

The eastern entrance also gives good For information on pedestrian access to passengers being dropped connectivity and cycle routes please off or picked up by friends and family. visit: www.hs2inbirmingham. commonplace.is

Cardigan Street

Birmingham City University

James Watt Queensway

Millennium Point

Eastside City Park

TAXI

Clayton Hotel TAXI Eastern Concourse

Staff Entrance Banbury Street Emergency Access

HS2 Curzon Street

Retail Entrance& Secondary Western Concourse Digbeth Branch Canal Andover Street

Rugby Birmingham Stafford Line Secondary New Bartholomew Street Entrance

Fazeley Street

Paternoster Row

Bordesley Street

Park Street

Moor Street Station River Rea New Canal Street

Vehicular Movement

STAFF CAR PARK CIRULATION TAXI TAXI PICK UP/DROP OFF EMERGENCY ACCESS ROUTE 10 Curzon Street Station Public space around the station

4 Environmental mitigation zone 3 2

HS2 station site boundary

Curzon Street Station location map.

The eastern entrance of the station from under the viaduct in New Canal Street, showing the old station building. 11

When developing the different designs for each area, we have sought to ensure that:

1. Station Square 3. Curzon Square ··It marks the beginning of a journey; ··This space reflects the historic setting and buildings; ··It gives a sense of arrival into Birmingham; ··It links well to Digbeth;

··It provides easy links into the ··It complements the setting of City Centre and Digbeth; Eastside park;

··It provides views of Birmingham ··It provides good links to Digbeth, on arrival; the University and beyond;

··It reflects a sense of local pride ··There is space for outdoor public and identity; events;

··This is the most important space ··This is the second most important outside the station. space outside the station.

2. Curzon Promenade 4. Curzon Street ··It provides an active and interesting ··It provides a flexible lawn space that space to be; can be used in different ways as the city develops; ··It complements the other public spaces that link into it; ··It links into wider plans for the future development of the area; ··The space encourages people to stop, and spend time here; ··It recognises Birmingham City Council’s Eastside masterplan; ··It complements the setting of Eastside park; ··It will provide an extension of Eastside Park; ··It provides views of Old Curzon Street Station; ··It is sympathetic to Old Curzon Street Station. ··Other types of public transport are accessible to passengers. 12

View of Curzon Promenade from the Woodman pub looking west. 13

View of Curzon Promenade from the Woodman pub looking west. 14 Curzon Street Station Internal visualisations of the station

The architect has designed the station with six key features in mind, which are:

··The design is elegant and simple, ··The internal roof is warm with the and is instantly recognisable as a internal structures becoming an railway station. aesthetic feature.

··The design is sensitive to the historic ··The design provides clarity of route surroundings, especially the Grade 1 and destination. listed former Curzon Street Station. ··The design includes clear pedestrian ··The design allows for a spacious routes. and welcoming entrance.

The view of Birmingham as passengers leave the station through the western exit. 15

Additionally this is a station that connects easily with the city, enabling local people to see the train from the city, and the passengers to see the city from the train. There is a clear view and route into Birmingham from point of arrival.

Station facts

▲ Height: 34.57m ● Total station area: 48,455.30 sq.m ► Length: 477.30m ■ Area of station square: 6,345 sq.m

An internal timber roof will give the station a sense of warmth.

The trains are underneath the main concourse to allow passengers to see both levels and make it easier to find their way around the station. 16

Inside the main station building, showing the trains on the second level below the main concourse. 17

Inside the main station building, showing the trains on the second level below the main concourse. 18 Curzon Street Station Sustainability and the environment

Our station will be designed to meet Our landscape design plans also the requirement of BEEAM Excellent include: – an industry recognised standard for sustainable lifetime performance. ··Parkland lawns, herbaceous shrubbery, tree planting and The station will be net zero sustainable urban drainage (in carbon – meaning it will be highly particular, rain gardens) across the efficient, generating energy with a site; combination of low/non-carbon and on-site traditional technologies.

Positive landscape contributions – a station surrounded by intertwined community and habitat spaces improving biodiversity which will encourage wildlife into the city.

Combined Ecological Systems Concept Diagram 19

··Proposals to create open green ··Extensive provision of facilities for space and damp grassland habitats cyclists wishing to use the station; between Curzon Street and the and viaduct to the east; ··Electric vehicle charging points. ··An environmental zone of broadleaf woodland to the south of the car We will maximise the benefits of park and viaduct, which will be natural resources such as sunlight accessible to schools, colleges and and water, and provide seamless interest groups, to encourage an connections between different understanding of and engagement transportation modes, Birmingham’s with nature; communities, and green habitats. 20 Curzon Street Station Curzon viaduct design vision

The Curzon Approach Viaducts, The Curzon Approach Viaduct design whichrun into Curzon Street Station, vision centres on: are crucial elements of what will ··maximising natural daylight; be HS2’s built legacy in central Birmingham. A team of architects, ··creating high quality outdoor spaces; engineers and construction managers and are developing viaduct designs which aim to maximise the benefit an ··delivering an elegant structural form. infrastructure project of this scale can Curzon viaduct design vision bring to Birmingham and the UK.

The Curzon Approach Viaducts, which run into Curzon Street Station, are crucial elements of what will be HS2’s built legacy in central Birmingham. A team of architects, engineers and construction managers are developing viaduct designs which aim to maximise the benefit an infrastructure project of this scale can bring to Birmingham and the UK.

The Curzon Approach Viaduct design vision centres on:

• maximising natural daylight; Typical viaduct double track deck • creating high quality outdoor spaces; and • delivering an elegant structural form.

This is achieved through:

• maximising natural light underneath the viaducts by minimising the deck width; • introducing light slots where possible; • minimising the volume of concrete Digbeth branch canal bridge showing tripod piers CurzonCurzon approach approach viaduct viaduct design design vision vision needed through sculpting of the deck; and • minimising the footprint of supporting piers by utilising a ‘V’ form which brings pairs of piers together as one and allows the structure to touch the ground lightly.

Through this approach we make the space under the viaduct as usable as possible.

The vision is to accommodate temporary activities such as pop-up markets, as well as more permanent pavilions and buildings that help create accessible and vibrant public spaces. Curzon viaduct design vision

The Curzon Approach Viaducts, which run into Curzon Street Station, are crucial 21 elements of what will be HS2’s built legacy This is achieved through: Through this approach we make the in central Birmingham. A team of architects, ··maximising natural light underneath space under the viaduct as usable as the viaducts by minimising the deck possible. engineers and construction managers are width; developing viaduct designs which aim to The vision is to accommodate ··introducing light slots where temporary activities such as pop-up maximise the benefit an infrastructure possible; markets, as well as more permanent project of this scale can bring to Birmingham Curzon viaduct designpavilions vision and buildings that help and the UK. ··minimising the volume of concrete create accessible and vibrant public needed through sculpting of the spaces. The Curzon Approach Viaducts, which run intodeck; Curzon and Street Station, are crucial The Curzon Approach Viaduct design vision elements of what will be HS2’s built legacy in central··minimising Birmingham. the footprint A team of of architects, engineers and construction managers are centres on: developingsupporting viaduct piers designs by utilisingwhich aim a ‘V’to form maximisewhich the brings benefit pairs an infrastructure of piers together Curzon viaduct designprojectas of one this vision and scale allows can bring the structureto Birmingham to • maximising natural daylight; and thetouch UK. the ground lightly. The Curzon Approach Viaducts, which Typical viaduct double track deck run into Curzon Street Station, are crucial The Curzon Approach Viaduct design vision • creating high quality outdoorelements spaces; of what will be HS2’sand built legacy in central Birmingham. A team of architects,centres on: engineers and construction managers are • delivering an elegant structuraldeveloping form. viaduct designs which aim to maximise the benefit an infrastructure • maximising natural daylight; Typical viaductTypical double viaduct track double deck track deck project of this scale can bring to Birmingham• creating high quality outdoor spaces; and and the UK. • delivering an elegant structural form. This is achieved through: The Curzon Approach Viaduct design vision centres on: This is achieved through: • maximising natural daylight; Typical viaduct double track deck • creating high quality outdoor spaces; and• maximising natural light underneath the • delivering an elegant structural form. • maximising natural light underneath the viaducts by minimising the deck width; This is achieved through: • introducing light slots where possible;

viaducts by minimising the deck width; Digbeth branch canal bridge showing tripod piers Curzon approach viaduct design vision • maximising natural light underneath the• minimising the volume of concrete viaducts by minimising the deck width; needed through sculpting of the deck; and • introducing light slots where possible; Digbeth branch canal bridge showing tripod piers • introducing light slots where possible; • minimising the footprint of supporting • minimising the volume of concrete Digbeth branch canal bridge showing tripod piers Curzon approach viaduct design vision • minimising the volume of concrete needed through sculpting of the deck; and piersDigbeth by utilising branch a ‘V’ form canalwhich brings bridge showing tripod piers Curzon approach viaduct design vision • minimising the footprint of supporting pairs of piers together as one and allows piers by utilising a ‘V’ form which brings needed through sculpting of pairsthe of piers deck; together as oneand and allows the structure to touch the ground lightly. the structure to touch the ground lightly. Through this approach we make the space • minimising the footprint of supportingThrough this approach we make the space under the viaduct as usable as possible. under the viaduct as usable as possible.

piers by utilising a ‘V’ form whichThe vision is tobrings accommodate temporary activities such as pop-up markets, as well asThe vision is to accommodate temporary pairs of piers together as onemore and permanent allows pavilions and buildings activities such as pop-up markets, as well as that help create accessible and vibrant more permanent pavilions and buildings public spaces. the structure to touch the ground lightly. that help create accessible and vibrant public spaces. Through this approach we make the space under the viaduct as usable as possible.

This is the first brand new intercity Schedule 17 of the Act puts in place station built in Britain since the 19th certain processes for the approval of century, and has been inspired by the these matters; this helps to ensure best station designs of the past. there is an appropriate level of local We are seeking the views of local planning control over the HS2 Phase people to help deliver a new One construction works while not landmark for Birmingham that will unduly delaying or adding cost to the stand the test of time - inspired by project. Britain’s pioneering railway and industrial heritage.

Our design takes into account previous public engagement Timescales 2018-2019 activities, however the station is still being developed, and we want to Jun Jul Aug hear your views, particularly on the following:

● Station design User experience ● Engagement with ● Environment and landscape key stakeholders ● Transport accessibility ● Future proofing

Planning permissions The High Speed Rail Act (London A B C

– West Midlands) Act 2017 (“the 2018-2019 Act”) has granted deemed planning permission for HS2 Phase One, however some of the detailed design Curzon Birmingham City Council is subject to further approval. Symposium planning commitee

What next? To share your feedback, please complete a form and leave it with a member of staff, or visit:www.hs2inbirmingham.commonplace.is and complete a short questionnaire to tell us more.

There will be a range of events and activities over the coming months, and we will advertise these locally and on our website: www.hs2inbirmingham.commonplace.is

If you have any other comment or question about HS2, please contact: [email protected] 24/7 freephone helpline: 08081 434 434 Minicom service: 08081 456 472

Timescales 2018-2019

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Public launch of station design Early October

Station design Schedule 17 panel engagement

D E F G H

Birmingham City Council Public engagement Schedule 17 planning commitee events planning submission Enquiries and alternative format If you have any other comment, or if you require this brochure in an alternative format, please contact us as follows: [email protected] 24/7 freephone helpline: 08081 434 434 Minicom service: 08081 456 472 www.hs2inbirmingham.commonplace.is