A look around the new look University Station
The new University Station buildings were opened on Sunday 28th January 2024, and I went to have a look around two weeks later on Sunday 11th February 2024. I got a train one way up from Longbridge, then checked out the buildings inside, the went over the bridge to the campus, and walked around to Vincent Drive and Pritchatts Road. It looks good and fresh. The old building is exit only.
University Station, the new buildings at the West Gate of the University of Birmingham and at Vincent Drive was fully opened on Sunday 28th January 2024. With the ASLEF train driver strikes the following weekend (3rd and 4th February 2024), thought it was best to wait until the next weekend (10th and 11th February 2024) to come back and check out the buildings.
I got the 12:43 train from Longbridge to University, and to my suprise it was West Midlands Railway 323221 in the classic Regional Railways livery. I got to University shortly before 1pm on Sunday 11th February 2024.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
The waiting room on platform 1, there is also a new waiting room on platform 2. Probably useful for passengers going with Cross Country on the line between Cardiff Central and Nottingham via Birmingham New Street (if not the Cross City Line, as trains are frequent during the week).
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
A look at the main concourse from platform level, toilets are to the right. Soon there will be an NHS facility to the left.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Tickets and information near the stairs, way out to the Medical School.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Up the steps from platform 1 concourse, there is seats to sit on near the lift.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
View out of the window on the new bridge above the tracks, platform 1 on the right, platform 2 on the left. Towards the 1978 building, now exit only.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Steps down to the platform 2 concourse. Also a lift.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Exiting the station over the new footbridge to the University of Birmingham campus, with a view to Old Joe, it crosses the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
There is also an entrance to University Station from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath. I used to have to leave the canal via the steps to Westgate to get to the 1978 entrance.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
To the right is a ramp for disabled passengers (wheelchairs etc) to use, or 45 steps down to the University campus.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Looking back at University Station from the new footbridge.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
There is some unfinished areas near the footbridge, including in this view towards the canal and new station building.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
This grassed area is currently all fenced off, awaiting completion, other than that the steps, ramp and bridge above are open.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Following the Westgate path towards the 1978 building, as we see the 2024 building alongside the canal. This was part of the site of Metchley Roman Fort.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
Now heading to the new University Station building from the new path from Westgate.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
It is well landscaped with lampposts and a grass lawn.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
The station building is close to Vincent Drive. Bollards should prevent vehicles going beyond and parking where they shouldn't do.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
One of the many new University Station signs at the station.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
The University Station sign from Vincent Drive.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(19).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
One last look at the station from the bridges on Pritchatts Road, heading to the North Gate of the University of Birmingham, as West Midlands Railway 323218 arrived at platform 2.
dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni%20Station%2011022024%20(20).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />
We hope you enjoyed our tour of the new University Station. Experience it yourself by buying your tickets at West Midlands Railway. We recommend using their app, which has a QR code ticket (once tickets purchased). But you can still buy tickets at the station of your choice (ticket machines or ticket office) such as Birmingham New Street. There is ticket gates at the station, on the platform level. Trains on the Cross City Line go between Redditch or Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley.
Photography by Elliott Brown