Revised designs for HS2 terminus set for approval

The planned Curzon Street station would form the city centre terminus for the high-speed railway

Plans for Birmingham's new flagship station on high-speed railway HS2 have been recommended for approval, after the designs were revised.

Construction work at the Curzon Street station – the city centre terminus for HS2 – began last year amid hope it would provide an economic boost and showcase the city's ambition.

Consent for the station, based on an outline design, was secured in 2020 from Birmingham City Council.

HS2's construction partner Mace Dragados Joint Venture revealed proposed "refinements" last September, before a planning application was submitted.

Papers submitted to the council said factors involved in the redesign included value for money, technical complexities, engineering constraints and changes to standards and regulations.

Revisions include a change in material from timber to aluminium in the station roof because of recently-tightened fire standards, and the eastern concourse has been replanned.

A council officer's report, published ahead of a planning committee meeting on Thursday, recommended the redesign for approval.

"I am satisfied that the revised design and subsequent external appearance of the proposed station building would still be a world class 21st Century landmark building," it said.

The report said the station would display "high-quality architecture and provide a world-class passenger experience".

It continued: "It is considered that the impact on the local amenity, heritage assets and surrounding highways would not be any more significant than what was envisaged in 2020.

"Most importantly, the station would contribute to maximising the regeneration and development potential of HS2 in the city centre.

"The HS2 development will help to create more jobs and deliver new homes."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.