HS2 issues update on future of Birmingham's old Curzon Street Station

The old Curzon Street station
-Credit: (Image: Birmingham Live)


HS2 has issued an update on the old Curzon Street Station building as works on the new city centre terminus continue. It comes as proposals for the “enhanced” design of the new Curzon Street Station, set to become part of the controversial high-speed railway line, were revealed this week.

The plans include features such as additional cycle parking, better accessibility, more seating spaces and simplified access between platforms. Construction work on the new station commenced earlier this year in January amid hope it would drive investment to the city in the coming years.

With these works under way, HS2 has now commented on the future of the old station building. Opened back in 1838, the station was the first direct railway line linking Birmingham to London and has been described as one of the world’s oldest surviving pieces of monumental railway architecture.

READ MORE: First look at HS2 Birmingham Curzon Street Station's 'enhanced' design

A HS2 spokesperson said this week they recognise the importance of the Grade I listed station. “We believe it’s fitting to integrate the old with the new to reflect the evolution of railway infrastructure in the city,” they continued.

“While the restoration of the building sits outside the HS2 railway delivery programme, we are working with Birmingham City Council and other partners to identify a strategy to complete the work required to restore this iconic landmark for future use.”

It is not known at this stage what the old station would be used for if it’s restored. Consent for the new station, based on an outline scheme design, was secured in 2020 from Birmingham City Council (BCC).

Since then, HS2 has appointed Mace Dragados Joint Venture (MDJV) as its construction partner, who were responsible for progressing the detailed design and construction of the station. It has now revealed the proposed design “refinements”, which will be submitted for approval to Birmingham City Council in late 2024.

The proposed enhanced design for Birmingham Curzon Street Station
The proposed enhanced design for Birmingham Curzon Street Station

The HS2 project has faced problems in the past due to delays, cost increases and decisions from central government to scrap sections of the line north of Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester. Scrapping phase two of the HS2 to Manchester last October, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said money would be spent on alternative rail, road and bus schemes instead.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester at the time, he said the costs of the project had soared and added it had been repeatedly delayed.

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