Birmingham New Street passengers warned follow 'three golden rules' on Black Friday

A railway station operator has urged passengers using Birmingham’s busiest station to follow ‘three golden rules’ on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Black Friday is upon us on November 29 and with it a surge of extra travellers are expected at Birmingham New Station, the busiest outside London.

Last year some 213,050 passengers used the transport hub, up more than 25 per cent than a regular Friday when the station sees some 170,00 pass through it. With the discount shopping bonanza, adding to Birmingham's Frankfurt German Market, as well as normal Friday revellers, this year is expected to be no different.

Network Rail has said as a consequence trains and platforms will be busier as a result and its urged passengers to follow three golden rules before heading into the Second City by train to stay safe and have the ‘smoothest’ journey.

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The first ‘rule’ is to ‘plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk ’. Secondly, passengers are being urged to know their last few trains home and ‘don’t rely on the last service to get home’ as it will be ‘extremely busy’.

The third rule is to ‘respect staff and other travellers during the season of goodwill’ – so on Black Friday and beyond. Inevitably trains will be more packed, seats less freely available and tensions may be heightened.

Elizabeth Graham, station manager at Birmingham New Street, said: “Black Friday, the Christmas market and other festive attractions are great for Birmingham but it means busier trains and more people on platforms and the station concourse.

“Every year we carefully plan for and safely manage big increases in passenger numbers, but I’d please ask passengers to do their bit by following our three golden rules to make their journeys as smooth as possible.

“There will be extra staff in place across the station to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout.”

The central railway station said it may operate a queuing system if the crowd numbers increase at ‘exceptionally busy times’ to make sure people can safely board trains. As a side note Network Rail also urged people to think ahead with Christmas fast approaching, particularly regarding journeys between Christmas Eve (December 24) and January 2, just after New Year’s Day.

It said: “While the majority of the rail network will be open, Network Rail will be carrying out improvement work across Britain between Christmas and New Year which may affect journeys.

“Passengers can plan their Christmas travel at our website. While for specific Birmingham New Street station information follow @NetworkRailBHM on X or check with your train operator.”