Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has unveiled £12 million of government investment to assist the design, build and upgrade of the Birmingham University Railway Station. It is intended that the redevelopment will be completed in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The station originally opened in 1978 and was designed to serve an annual passenger capacity of 500,000; some 40 years later, this has increased to almost 4 million people. It is intended that the works will help to alleviate congestion, provide a boost to the economy and increase the reliability of journeys for thousands of existing passengers. The modernisation project will also incorporate additional lifts, a ticket office, a shop and public toilets.
It is anticipated that the project will cost £56 million with contracts for the detailed design and build of the scheme to be awarded this summer. The programme is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, a consortium including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP.
The M42 was closed to traffic on Saturday 9th August whilst engineers positioned the modular bridge across the motorway near Birmingham Airport and the NEC. Measuring 213ft (65m), the structure was rotated through 90 degrees on to the carriageway, before being wheeled and lowered into position.
The bridge is one component of a major road remodelling programme, aimed at improving traffic flow and enhancing the connectivity of the new station near Solihull. It will be the largest of four bridges which will complete the railway interchange station area and direct traffic from the A452.
The motorway reopened to traffic, ahead of schedule, the following Sunday morning.
Energy Secretary Alok Sharma has approved a development consent order (DCO) for an open-cycle gas turbine power station at South Killingholme. Reviewed under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure (NSIP) regime, the decision reflected the recommendation by the Planning Inspectorate.
VPI Immingham B Ltd will now build the gas-fired power station at the Rosper Road site, north of Immingham. The facility with have a gross generation capacity of 299MW. The development will entail access works, open storage areas, the creation of staff welfare facilities, vehicle parking and roads. Gas supply connection works will also be required, comprising both underground and overground pipelines with a run of approximately 800m.
Whilst Sharma did note that the scheme will adversely impact ecological features and cause increased greenhouse gas emissions, these factors were oughtweighed by the development’s deemed potential contribution to a secure and responsive energy supply, and to facilitate the roll out of renewable generation schemes.
The route was decommissioned as part of the ‘Beeching’s cuts’ but is currently on the Department for Transport’s (DFT) shortlist for £50,000 of Government funding. The grant is to be used for ascertaining which lines would be most economically beneficial if reinstated.
Beverley MP Graham Stuart supports the proposed restoration and has now submitted a bid with the backing of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Ministers of the Railway Campaign Group. The Council has subsequently pledged funding of up to £20,000 for a feasibility study to be undertaken into the potential restoration of the line. If deemed to be viable, the scheme will be added to the DFT’s works programme with future restoration costs to be covered by the Government.
Should the reinstatement come to fruition, it is hoped that the scheme will incorporate substantial tree planting, public footpaths and cycling infrastructure.
Gateshead Council is now seeking feedback on their preferred option to transform brownfield land surrounding the Metrocentre. The eight-week consultation is now live and is due to close on 25 September 2020; all comments received will assist the creation of the draft plan.
The Council proposes to create a sustainable new urban community with residential neighbourhoods adjacent to the Tyne and Derwent rivers. The preferred option incorporates 974 homes, 25,500 square meters of leisure and ancillary uses, as well as a 200-bedroom hotel to support the nearby Metrocentre.
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