Plans submitted for third entrance at Snow Hill Railway Station

A planning application for a third access to Birmingham's Snow Hill Railway Station has been submitted by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).

The new entrance will create a direct link between rail and metro services by offering easier and faster links between the station and St Chad's metro stop.

It will also be more convenient for people living and working in the St Chad's area, including the new Three Snowhill office development.

The new entrance will be constructed in a vacant railway arch, part of the Victorian viaduct which carries trains and trams into Birmingham city centre.

A concrete wall will be knocked through linking to the second entrance which was constructed on Livery Street a decade ago.

New ticketing and travel information facilities will be provided as part of the £1.5 million project.

The Victorian brickwork arches, which suffer from crumbling mortar and vegetation, will also be repaired and restored.

Currently, many metro passengers use the Bull Street stop to access Snow Hill Station, whilst others have to walk under the Lionel Street archway or along the busy Great Charles Street Queensway.

Malcolm Holmes, executive director of the WMRE said: "This new entrance is a project which will be delivered in the short-term and make it much easier for passengers moving between rail and metro.

"It will also make accessing the station more convenient for the many businesses and people working in the Snow Hill area, connecting people with local and regional rail services on the Snow Hill lines."

Civil engineering contractor Barhale was appointed to build the new entrance and, pending planning permission, work on site is expected to begin in the summer.

Landscaping and improvements to the forecourt area on Old Snow Hill will be carried out in phase two of the works. Vacant arches could also be refurbished as shops or restaurants.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "Reinstating better links between Snow Hill station and the tram network will make changing between the two much easier for passengers.

"A joined up public transport system is vital to a growing region and economy and this is the latest improvement being made in the West Midlands."