University rail station has been delayed a third time over inflationary pressures, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned.
The station, close to the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – first scheduled to open in July 2022 during the Commonwealth Games – was delayed to allow for extended platforms to be completed.
The LDRS reported the station itself would open in Spring 2023 after a leaked briefing. A new memo seen by the LDRS now reveals the building will open in Autumn 2023 – a delay of up to 15 months.
Passengers can still access rail services from University station while construction continues to take place.
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It comes as a blow to the city after trade magazine New Civil Engineer reported the West Midlands Metro eastside extension – due to pass through Birmingham’s new HS2 station and regenerate Digbeth – has been pushed back until 2027.
The briefings by Transport for West Midlands – which operates trains in the region – reads: “Phase one of the project, which included extended platforms and canopies, was completed on time last summer despite dealing with wider challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic, supply chain issues and cost inflation.
“Although work to the exterior of the station building is largely complete, there is still much to do to complete the internal fit out and commissioning of the station ready for entry into service.
“Delays to the supply and fitting of specially commissioned internal cladding and the knock-on effect on other works inside the building has proved a key challenge.
“Following a detailed review with contractors, is has now unfortunately become clear that the buildings will now open in early autumn 2023.”
Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, said: “This is a huge blow for our city and our region.
“University Station serves the fourth largest university in the country, one of the largest hospitals in western Europe and is one of the busiest stations in the West Midlands. What we must hear from Andy Street is whether the station will have to be closed and if so, for how long?
“The West Midlands Mayor, a lot like his Government, talks a good game about bringing in investment and levelling up our region, but where is the delivery?
“It is simply not acceptable that residents and businesses are now faced with a year-long delay to such a basic and fundamental part of our transport infrastructure.
“Birmingham and the West Midlands deserves a transport system that is fit for purpose and the Mayor now needs to deliver on his many promises.”
Malcolm Holmes, director of rail for TFWM and executive director of the West Midlands rail executive (WMRE), said he was “sorry” and that work continues at pace.
He said: “Work continues at pace on site but we are sorry to report to our passengers and stakeholders that the buildings will not be ready to open this Spring as we had expected.
“We remain committed to delivering the full benefits of this new state-of-the-art station as soon as possible and will continue to ensure the old station building and new extended platforms remain in use throughout construction.
“This has always been a long-term investment in our rail infrastructure which will deliver great benefits to rail users for many decades to come.”
The delays come after Birmingham received no money from round two of the levelling up fund.
According to the Guardian, analysis of data from the House of Commons Library shows that, based on the latest projections from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) at the time of the autumn statement, £576 million has been lost from different levelling up funds because of inflation.
Some councils and combined authorities are being forced to freeze levelling up projects or find millions from their own squeezed budgets to complete works because of soaring costs which have exceeded government grants.
One such project close to the West Midlands – the Wednesbury-Brierley Hill metro extension – may be scrapped after Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham city council, said region “does not have enough money” to carry out the project.
The chair of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) transport sub committee – which decides funding affairs for the region’s transport network – called the situation as “a little bit of a grim picture”.
Mayor Andy Street was approached for comment.
