Birmingham tower block 'demolished by 2012'

The demolition of an old block of flats in the centre of Birmingham should be finished by 2012.

Network Rail is dismantling Stephenson Tower to make way for the south side of the new New Street station, where a new John Lewis store will go.

Work is also under way to transform the former Pallasades car park into a new concourse.

The completed New Street station should open in 2015, once the £598m revamp is finished.

Engineers said the 20-storey tower was being demolished by a floor a week. It cannot be blown up because of its location.

The New Street revamp is backed by Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Transport, Advantage West Midlands and Centro.

It aims to double passenger capacity and improve access to the platforms and pedestrian links across the city.