Express & Star

Welcome to HS2: Rail revolution revealed for Curzon Street and Interchange stations

A gleaming state-of-the-art vision for the 21st century – this is what the West Midlands’ HS2 will look like.

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A railway revolution - how Curzon Street station will look

Stunning new images of the Curzon Street station and the Interchange station at Solihull, serving Birmingham Airport and the NEC, were released today.

Curzon Street station will feature seven high-speed train platforms as well as shops, a hotel and 4,000 homes.

Trains will go from Curzon Street to London Euston, stopping at Solihull Interchange and Old Oak Common, also in London.

Journey times between the two cities will be cut to 51 minutes. The route to London Euston will open in 2026.

The atrium of Curzon Street station will allow nature light inside

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “These brand new stations will be catalysts for regeneration, creating jobs and opportunities for local people and economic benefits for Birmingham and the Midlands.

“Curzon Street station will put Birmingham at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network and enhance the rail connectivity for the city, whilst Interchange provides a once in a life time opportunity to help drive the growth of the region.”

There will be a direct link from the Black Country to Curzon Street via the extended Midland Metro network.

The Grade-I listed Curzon Street station at the site will be turned into a visitor centre and office space for HS2.

A second stage of the project, from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester, will open in 2033, including a stop at Stafford.

Birmingham Interchange will be located on the eastern side of the M42 and will be connected to the city’s airport by an automated people mover.

How the Interchange station near Birmingham Airport and the NEC will look

HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Unveiling the station designs for Curzon Street and the Solihull Interchange is a milestone moment.

‘These pioneering new station buildings will showcase a rail revolution which has our transformed region at its core’ – claims a group promoting economic success in the West Midlands.

The vision for Curzon Street station

The new Curzon Street station will feature a low arch which architects say will mean it will become one of the city’s modern icons.

The west concourse of the station, which will feature seven platforms, will have the feel of an airport terminal.

Inside Curzon Street station

The east concourse will feature the old station building which will be converted into a visitor centre and offices.

Sir John Peace, chairman of group Midlands Engine, said: “HS2 is already a huge part of the Midlands’ success story, bringing jobs and investment with it.

The gleaming design of Curzon Street station

"These pioneering new station buildings will showcase a rail revolution which has our transformed region at its core.

“HS2 will be one of the most celebrated infrastructure projects in the world when trains start rolling in to Interchange and Curzon Street in 2026, with a regenerative ripple effect that will be felt across the Midlands.

The sculpted style of Curson Street station

"I can’t wait to see the stations take shape.”

The images will be on display at Birmingham Library as part of the first series of public consultation events starting this month.