Birmingham City Council gave HS2 Curzon Street station the planning permission with three planning applications for the new station and the surrounding landscaping being approved.
The new HS2 station, set to be one of the most environmentally-friendly railway stations in the world, will be net zero carbon in operation. It will adopt the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies including capturing rainwater and sustainable power generation, with over 2800m2 of solar panels located on platform canopies.
It is designed to meet a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard which is an industry recognised standard for buildings that reduce energy usage and materials waste, and minimise impact on the natural environment.
The design ensures accessibility and complements the local setting, with a focus on the open space and landscaping around it. Features include parkland lawns, rain gardens to capture water, wildflower grassland, insect and bird boxes, forest-scale tree planting across the site, and an area of new broadleaf woodland to provide a natural habitat for local wildlife.
“Eco-friendly innovations are a fundamental part of our plans, with the station designed to achieve zero carbon emissions from day-to-day energy consumption. This makes it highly efficient by generating energy through a range of different technologies to maximise natural resources such as sunlight and water,” Matthew Botelle, HS2 Ltd’s Stations Director said.
The HS2 Curzon Street station is designed to improve and integrate the transport connections with the existing different modes such as the Midland Metro running alongside and underneath the station, accessible pedestrian routes leading local bus services, Sprint rapid transit bus services and other train services. Cycle parking has also been incorporated, providing space for more than 550 bicycles.
The Curzon Street station will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the since the 19th century. The station will be used by nine trains per hour onto the high speed network in each direction from the station.
The HS2 station is designed by WSP and Grimshaw Architects LLP. The procurement to award the construction contract has started, with invitation to tender set to be launched in the summer.
Share on:
