West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says Perry Barr’s new railway station has proven to be a real hit with passengers, six months after opening.
West Midlands Railway, which runs the station, estimated that there have been more than 40,000 paying passenger journeys to or from the station since its shutter doors opened on May 29, 2022.
That figure does not include the thousands more whose travel was included with their Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games tickets and passed through on their way to Alexander Stadium.
Mr Street said: “Perry Barr railway station has been open for six months now, and there’s no doubt that it has been one of our biggest successes of this year.
“The whole project was delivered within one year, providing work for more than 1,000 people, many of whom were local, and lots of training opportunities too.
“Now, after just six months, we can say that 40,000 people have used the station, which just shows how it has made a huge difference to the area.
“Renewing the railways is a big part of my transport plan for the West Midlands, including opening up long-closed stations. The success of Perry Barr shows that, by revitalising existing stations, you can also really drive passenger numbers up.”
The £30 million project delivered both a brand-new station building, complete with lift access to platforms, and a new bus interchange and public space outside the neighbouring One Stop Shopping Centre.
The development also provided dozens of training opportunities for local unemployed people, offered seven apprenticeships and a T-level placement and gave work experience for those that have recently left the armed forces to help them back into work.
Among them was student Esme Baraclough, who had recently given up studying for a chemistry degree at university and was looking for a change of direction. She volunteered on site for two weeks’ unpaid work experience, working alongside a quantity surveyor. Having impressed colleagues, she secured a position on site as an apprentice quantity surveyor and continues to work with the company.
She said: “Being given work experience at the station was an amazing opportunity and it gave me a great insight into the world of construction. It inspired me to want to pursue a career in construction.
“I spent time with the team at Perry Barr looking at all of the different disciplines but the one that stood out for me was Quantity Surveying. I feel extremely privileged for the experience as it got me into my new career which I am now loving.”
Children from local schools and colleges were also engaged throughout construction with visits and designs for the site hoardings. These included a site visit for James Brindley School, a specialist academy for pupils who have difficulty accessing mainstream school.