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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| New Street £598m revamp go ahead | New Street £598m revamp go ahead |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Birmingham's dilapidated New Street Station is to get a £598m revamp after the government announced it would provide the bulk of the funding. | Birmingham's dilapidated New Street Station is to get a £598m revamp after the government announced it would provide the bulk of the funding. |
| Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced almost £400m of government money will be poured into the project. | |
| The redevelopment will aim to ease congestion for 17 million passengers who use the station each year. | The redevelopment will aim to ease congestion for 17 million passengers who use the station each year. |
| Network Rail and Birmingham City Council plan to start work on the project in 2009. | Network Rail and Birmingham City Council plan to start work on the project in 2009. |
| Building work on the first phase should finish by 2011 with the station being kept open while work on the new concourse is carried out. | Building work on the first phase should finish by 2011 with the station being kept open while work on the new concourse is carried out. |
| This underpins and will drive the economic regeneration of Birmingham and the city region Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby | This underpins and will drive the economic regeneration of Birmingham and the city region Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby |
| The second phase is due to be completed by 2013. | The second phase is due to be completed by 2013. |
| Built in the 1960s, New Street station has been criticised for its outdated look, lack of natural light and passenger congestion. | Built in the 1960s, New Street station has been criticised for its outdated look, lack of natural light and passenger congestion. |
| Regeneration company Advantage West Midlands said it was important to the region's economy that the new station "creates the right first impression" to visitors. | Regeneration company Advantage West Midlands said it was important to the region's economy that the new station "creates the right first impression" to visitors. |
| Following the revamp, the new station will have a 10,500 sq ms concourse and be a "bright, modern 21st Century transport hub for Birmingham and the West Midlands region", Network Rail said. | Following the revamp, the new station will have a 10,500 sq ms concourse and be a "bright, modern 21st Century transport hub for Birmingham and the West Midlands region", Network Rail said. |
| The area around the station will also be regenerated and pedestrian connections across the city centre will be improved. | The area around the station will also be regenerated and pedestrian connections across the city centre will be improved. |
| Prolonged arguments | Prolonged arguments |
| Passenger capacity at the station will also be doubled while each platform will be accessible via escalators. | Passenger capacity at the station will also be doubled while each platform will be accessible via escalators. |
| Ms Kelly said: "Birmingham is a key gateway to towns and cities across Britain and this investment will make New Street a more enjoyable experience for its passengers. | Ms Kelly said: "Birmingham is a key gateway to towns and cities across Britain and this investment will make New Street a more enjoyable experience for its passengers. |
| "This scheme has been in development for some time and has improved immeasurably so that it can now meet the needs of passengers and deliver a much-needed boost to capacity. | "This scheme has been in development for some time and has improved immeasurably so that it can now meet the needs of passengers and deliver a much-needed boost to capacity. |
| "The government is making a major investment in Birmingham New Street and it is now up to Birmingham City Council and its partners to transform this station into one of the best in our country." | "The government is making a major investment in Birmingham New Street and it is now up to Birmingham City Council and its partners to transform this station into one of the best in our country." |
| The announcement follows prolonged arguments between the city council and the government over who should pay for the station redevelopment. | The announcement follows prolonged arguments between the city council and the government over who should pay for the station redevelopment. |
| 'Much-needed scheme' | 'Much-needed scheme' |
| Council Leader Mike Whitby said: "With the support of business, local politicians, and most importantly, the general public, the government has responded to our call for a better station for Birmingham. | Council Leader Mike Whitby said: "With the support of business, local politicians, and most importantly, the general public, the government has responded to our call for a better station for Birmingham. |
| "This is not an overnight job. However, from 2011 passengers and the general public will enjoy the first benefits of this transformation." | "This is not an overnight job. However, from 2011 passengers and the general public will enjoy the first benefits of this transformation." |
| Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said the company was "delighted", adding: "This is a much-needed scheme and is among a raft of projects that Network Rail is looking to take forward to expand and develop Britain's rail network in the years ahead." | Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said the company was "delighted", adding: "This is a much-needed scheme and is among a raft of projects that Network Rail is looking to take forward to expand and develop Britain's rail network in the years ahead." |
| Business leaders in the city said the New Street revamp would provide Birmingham with " a great opportunity". | Business leaders in the city said the New Street revamp would provide Birmingham with " a great opportunity". |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jerry Blackett said: "Today's announcement marks the end of the beginning for a long-awaited project. | Birmingham Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jerry Blackett said: "Today's announcement marks the end of the beginning for a long-awaited project. |
| "New Street is a major strategic rail junction for the whole of the country and we expect the scheme will create a national showpiece in the heart of the city." | "New Street is a major strategic rail junction for the whole of the country and we expect the scheme will create a national showpiece in the heart of the city." |