How Birmingham high speed station may look

Stretching for almost half-a-mile and mixing cutting edge 21st century design with the Victorian history of Britain's railways – this is how one of the new high speed train stations in Birmingham will look.

This new design was released today after the Government gave formal backing to a £32 billion scheme to create a new railway with 225mph trains.

Two stations will be built in Birmingham – one in the Eastside part of the city centre and another at Birmingham airport.

The city centre terminal will stretch from Moor Street station to the disused Grade I listed Curzon Street station building.

Glass roofs will provide natural lighting and views of Birmingham's tallest building, including the Rotunda by the Bullring shopping centre.

Trains will begin to run from 2026 after a 10-year line building programme between London and Birmingham.

Journey times from the Birmingham Airport station will be 45 minutes compared to an hour and a quarter at present.

It is hoped around 8,000 jobs will be created at the two stations with a total of 22,000 new jobs in the West Midlands from businesses relocating and opening up near to the fast rail links.

The Government claims high speed rail will boost the region's economy by £1.5 billion a year with its 225 mph trains.

Sir Brian Briscoe, chairman of HS2, a company set up to investigate the case for high speed rail, said: "The West Midlands will really benefit from connectivity and new rail capacity. Those who use the existing West Coast Main Line will benefit from relieved congestion. We hope that the Grade I listed Curzon Street building will be incorporated into the design."

Transport secretary Justine Greening said: "We know what a massive difference high speed rail will make in linking to Birmingham. It will put the West Midlands at the heart of the rail network."

"We are working very hard to reduce the impact of the route.

"We will consult on the final package and I intend to make sure high speed rail is something everyone can use.

"I'm writing to anyone affected by the route to talk about the next steps for people whose homes are on its course."

Yesterday Ms Greening said there was a "risk" to the scheme posed by the prospect of objectors challenging the government's decision in course.

A lengthy judicial review could delay the scheme even further.