University of Birmingham railway station in Edgbaston opening delayed for second time

The railway station at the heart of the University of Birmingham campus will be delayed a second time.

The University station building was first scheduled to open in July during the Commonwealth Games, but was delayed to allow for extended platforms to be completed. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) claimed the reason was to allow thousands of visitors travelling to the Games a “more comfortable and safer experience”.

But now, according to a briefing note circulated to councillors on the Transport delivery committee at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the building is now expected to be delayed until spring 2023. It comes as levelling up projects across the country, including in the West Midlands, are under threat as soaring inflation hits construction costs. Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, has instead focused economic policy on the cost of living crisis.

Millions of pounds already allocated to projects, including the West Midlands, may no longer be enough to cover construction costs, which have soared by 15% in recent months.

In 2020, a £56 million budget was approved for the University station, according to public documents. It is unclear how much additional money will be needed to plug the inflation gap for the University station.

During her leadership campaign, Ms Truss said she would look at the economy “through the lens of redistribution” was wrong, and that there would be “difficult and unpopular decisions” ahead.

As a result, there is concern among West Midlands leaders about her government’s commitment to tackling regional inequality.

What’s been said about the delay?

A spokesperson for Transport for West Midlands, said: “The work on University station has been impacted this year by a combination of factors including a volatile global supply chain and a decision to rephase works so that the new wider platforms could be open for the Commonwealth Games. These factors have inevitably slowed the project.

“The external construction of the station and bridges is well progressed and expected to be complete by the end of the year. This will however need to be followed by several weeks of commissioning and testing before the station can open to the public. We expect this to be in spring 2023.

“When open, University will be a high-quality state-of-the-art station which will serve millions of passengers for decades to come. In the meantime the existing station remains open as it has throughout construction and passengers are still benefiting the new wider platforms.”

University statement

A University of Birmingham spokesperson said, “We look forward to the official opening of the University station once WMCA has completed construction, and the necessary commissioning and checks, as it is will be a huge asset to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, our local community and of course, our University of Birmingham community.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “We do not comment on leaks.”

Andy Street, mayor for West Midlands, said he was “frustrated” at the delay to open the University station in its entirety.“It is deeply disappointing to hear that the completion of University station has slipped into next year.

“Whilst I appreciate there are sector-wide labour and supply chain challenges, and that the decision to phase the works to keep trains flowing through the new wider platform during the Commonwealth Games has affected the timescale, this new delay is nonetheless frustrating given how much construction work has been completed.“I’ll be following up with the contractor personally to ensure we get this fantastic new station open as soon as possible.”

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