Birmingham New Street the worst UK station?

Parallel · Wednesday at 08:09

I don’t think Birmingham New Street is ideal as a railway station.

The B end of the platform is better than the A end as there is both a footbridge and a concourse to connect with other platforms, but the platforms are narrow, the station is exceptionally noisy and despite the extractor fans, stink of fumes when a Voyager pulls in.

The lounge idea (certainly the lounges other than the red one) seem to have been badly designed and fallen flat. It’s rare to find more than a couple of people using the other lounges, with many preferring to wait on the platform instead - probably so they can see their train pulling in.

It’s not always practical to make your way from the A end to the B end of the platforms. The B end of the platforms can be rather congested (and I’d argue borderline unsafe) when a long distance service is due to arrive, and adding more passengers to circulate via this route is asking for trouble.

The good things going for Birmingham New Street is there are a lot of catering outlets and the concourse which are welcome if you’re travelling through there at lunch or in the evening. And the facilities on the concourse and in the red lounge are generally well maintained.

The attached image shows heavy crowding on platform 6b waiting for a CrossCountry service to Manchester.

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The exile · Wednesday at 08:09

Bald Rick said:
Dissenting voice, and evidently a minority view, but I like it. Much more preferable than Leeds, Man Piccadilly, Reading, Clapham Jn, or Stratford, as stations of comparable size. Thinking about it, I prefer it over Waverley. (I rarely use Bristol TM so can‘t compare).

(I may have said this before upthread; if so I’m saying it again! Does anyone really think Clapham Jn or Stratford are better stations?)

You have, in my view, successfully located the only large station that makes New Street look user-friendly for the traveller - that being Stratford. Several others are sub-optimal but at least recognise what the prime purpose of a railway station is.

GLC · Wednesday at 08:51

RE: the discussion about wayfinding. The first time I had to make a connection at New Street (actually going to Moor Street), I got so hopelessly lost a security guard came to find me to ask if I was alright, and led me out a fire escape to exit New Street.

My mistake was, treating the ↗ arrow on the signage covering to Moor Street, as being “up the escalators which are on the right”, as opposed to being forward and right. Once I was up the escalator, all Moor street signage stopped, and I was wandering around trying to find an exit (unsuccessfully!)

birchesgreen · Wednesday at 08:57

New St has it's issues though its far from the worst, as with many stations it's flaws become more apparent if you are unfamiliar with a station. I had some problems with Bristol TM a few weeks ago, but it was the first time i had been, after a few more visits i'll be used to the weirdness.

Skiddaw · Wednesday at 10:24

Must say I've never had a problem with some of the other stations that have been mentioned (including Waverley). It's just Birmingham I struggle with.

The exile · Wednesday at 11:16

Skiddaw said:
Must say I've never had a problem with some of the other stations that have been mentioned (including Waverley). It's just Birmingham I struggle with.

I found Waverley confusing earlier in the year, but mostly because the old layout is so firmly implanted in my brain that the idea that a Queen Street fast would be leaving from platform 8 (which to my brain is 21) took the best part of 5 minutes to sink in!

Bletchleyite · Wednesday at 11:21

The exile said:
I found Waverley confusing earlier in the year, but mostly because the old layout is so firmly implanted in my brain that the idea that a Queen Street fast would be leaving from platform 8 (which to my brain is 21) took the best part of 5 minutes to sink in!

Waverley is probably one where German style numbering, splitting it into several bits each with its own prefix, would work better than the rather odd circular numbering now.

New St is a perfectly normal sequentially laid out station with one terminal bay - not overly complex - the passenger flows are just a bit odd at the A end. (The B end is perfectly normal, through either gateline and the platforms are in numeric order).

The exile · Wednesday at 11:36

Bletchleyite said:
Waverley is probably one where German style numbering, splitting it into several bits each with its own prefix, would work better than the rather odd circular numbering now.

The circular numbering system worked reasonably well with the old layout, even if it did produce the odd 1/19 combination, as it was a simple clock-face. The “reopening” of the sub platforms was the only real complication. It’s the addition of extra through platforms with separate stairs etc that starts to make it less intuitive. Not sure what German style you mean - finding platforms 101 and 102 between 2 low-numbered ones always seemed weird (though I now know why).
Would seem clearer to number the through Waverley platforms as “number” E & W rather than two separate numbers though.

Bletchleyite · Wednesday at 11:46

The exile said:
The circular numbering system worked reasonably well with the old layout, even if it did produce the odd 1/19 combination, as it was a simple clock-face. The “reopening” of the sub platforms was the only real complication. It’s the addition of extra through platforms with separate stairs etc that starts to make it less intuitive. Not sure what German style you mean - finding platforms 101 and 102 between 2 low-numbered ones always seemed weird (though I now know why).

I've done a separate thread for that: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...yout-of-edinburgh-waverley-station-be.307260/

Merle Haggard · Wednesday at 11:52

The Avanti First class lounge is at the 'A' end of the 'lounge' that serves platforms 1 - 5 and very hand for the escalators down to platforms 2 - 5 (though the handy escalator for Platform 1 only goes up ...). And, of course, First on Avanti services are all at London end of trains, and the previously-mentioned escalators are, presumably thoughtfully, the ones nearest the front of the train.

It's therefore unfortunate that, after 09.00, half of all Avanti services leave from platforms 6 or 7, involving the route around the shops or a long walk to the 'B' end bridge and back.

The Pelican · Wednesday at 12:14

Bald Rick said:
Dissenting voice, and evidently a minority view, but I like it. Much more preferable than Leeds, Man Piccadilly, Reading, Clapham Jn, or Stratford, as stations of comparable size. Thinking about it, I prefer it over Waverley. (I rarely use Bristol TM so can‘t compare).

(I may have said this before upthread; if so I’m saying it again! Does anyone really think Clapham Jn or Stratford are better stations?)

I think Clapham Junction is reasonably simple- three four track mainlines with fast and slow lines, plus the Overground platforms around the edge. The bridge also gives plenty of chances to look at the platforms, and the rolling stock helps with sorting between the South Western and South Central lines, at least since privatisation.

I agree with Stratford being confusing though, made more so by the platforms of the eastern DLR branch cutting through the concourse area.

WillC · Wednesday at 18:35

The Planner said:
Short of taking the roof off and finding another place for the station facilities in the middle of the city centre, what would you do?

Simply create a station for rail passengers first And foremost. So, you don’t have try to work out which stairs are the ones that are useful for which platforms, they all should be; put the barriers on the outside so you don’t need to cross them to get change trains; get rid of some retail to create more space… a lot more space. And dig a hole in the floor to get some light in. For starters.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Wednesday at 18:37 ==

Bletchleyite said:
Some of us consider its excellent selection of retail, particularly food, a massive plus side. I often deliberately stop off there for that. If you count upstairs it's probably the best in the country in that regard, with Manchester Piccadilly a close second.

What would you rather, a warm indoor station with lots of food or say windswept Preston with its rubbish pub and its two rubbish little shops? I reckon quite a few here would prefer Preston, but I wouldn't. Or Bristol Temple Meads which has a similarly woeful offering and nothing even vaguely nearby.

Well if you vale food over the actual railway bit, yes. I really do not. NS is a joke for actual travel, particularly if you’re not used to it, and need to change. It’s hard to orientate yourself, find the right stairs, get to other platforms etc. it’s awful. But the sushi is good so…

josh-j · Wednesday at 22:28

My experiences at New Street have been travelling to/from it, not changing trains there. And I've only used the station a few times.

I found it to be ok arriving, but poorly signed and confusing when working out where to go to get to your platform. The signs are too small and not obvious enough, and since you can't see any of the platforms from the concourse you entirely rely on the signs.

Then the lounge thing just feels unnecessary, it seems like there should just be big obvious signs saying like "Platforms 1-6" or whatever, I don't see why it matters which lounge that is in when you're catching a train, and the more important thing is to have clearer platform numbers visible from the concourse i.e. where you're standing looking at the boards.

I wouldn't say it's the worst station - aside from the actual platforms it feels like a nice space to be in. But it's definitely more unclear than it really needs to be, big obvious platform signs would go a long way I think.

Dr Hoo · 2026-09-17T07:12:24+0100

The main departure screens advise ‘Green’, ‘Red’ or ‘Blue’ at the bottom, in the same colour, once confirmed. Perhaps on line services should provide the same information.
Quite apart from providing the best waiting conditions the lounge system protects revenue whilst opening up the station to full and easy access to/from all parts of the city centre. This had been absent from at least the 1960s and arguably the 19th century.

AlterEgo · 2026-09-17T08:44:38+0100

Dr Hoo said:
The main departure screens advise ‘Green’, ‘Red’ or ‘Blue’ at the bottom, in the same colour, once confirmed. Perhaps on line services should provide the same information.
Quite apart from providing the best waiting conditions the lounge system protects revenue whilst opening up the station to full and easy access to/from all parts of the city centre. This had been absent from at least the 1960s and arguably the 19th century.

The lounge system doesn't protect revenue. The gateline does. You don't need to have colour coded lounges out of sight of the platforms, and the fact that only a minority of people actually wait there is testament to how poorly thought through the concept was. No, at railway stations, given the choice people prefer to wait in an area where they can see the train pulling in, which at New Street is the platform.

sh24 · 2026-09-17T08:54:50+0100

The shopping at New Street is great. The concourse area is bright and light on the whole. The platforms are pretty horrible, and as noted above the navigation is unintuitive and confusing.

Leeds and Waverley aren't optimal but don't feel anywhere near as confusing or claustrophobic. Stratford is dismal, as bad as New Street.

xotGD · 2026-09-17T08:56:57+0100

The B end gateline should say "Access to all platforms". IT is misleading to give the impression that you can only get to the B end of platforms from there, and the A end from the other two gatelines.

Bletchleyite · 2026-09-17T09:05:27+0100

xotGD said:
The B end gateline should say "Access to all platforms". IT is misleading to give the impression that you can only get to the B end of platforms from there, and the A end from the other two gatelines.

If someone is outside the gatelines they should ideally enter via the right one to minimise crowding and people moving along narrow platforms, so I'd say no to that on the signage up top. The signage within the tunnel and on the platform level should however say that.

DarloRich · 2026-09-17T09:13:53+0100

I can only assume posters here never used the old New Street!

xotGD · 2026-09-17T09:16:18+0100

sh24 said:
Leeds and Waverley aren't optimal

What's the problem with Leeds? Platforms 0-8 accessed directly from the main concourse, platforms 9 upwards via the bridge, with clear signage as to which flight of stairs leads to which platforms. No glass wall half way across the bridge to deny access to platforms 12-17!

Bletchleyite · 2026-09-17T09:25:54+0100

DarloRich said:
I can only assume posters here never used the old New Street!

And don't realise it was basically just the B end, so you can still use it exactly as you used to if you simply ignore the A end!

The B end "tunnel" is the old bridge, and bar the pub being outside basically has all the same facilities the old one had.

TT-ONR-NRN · 2026-09-17T09:27:28+0100

I will say, and I might be offering a hot take here, but I firmly believe Birmingham New Street is easier to navigate than Edinburgh Waverley.

sh24 · 2026-09-17T09:35:55+0100

xotGD said:
What's the problem with Leeds? Platforms 0-8 accessed directly from the main concourse, platforms 9 upwards via the bridge, with clear signage as to which flight of stairs leads to which platforms. No glass wall half way across the bridge to deny access to platforms 12-17!

Nothing wrong, just not great. Funny little bay platforms, one way escalators, ticket barrier area is much better, the endless roadworks/redevelopment outside. It does have a Pret which is very welcome!

Bletchleyite · 2026-09-17T09:38:45+0100

TT-ONR-NRN said:
I will say, and I might be offering a hot take here, but I firmly believe Birmingham New Street is easier to navigate than Edinburgh Waverley.

I'd agree. The high level bridge at Waverley which only accesses some locations adds massive confusion to it. And then there's the stupid numbering scheme which I've created another thread about.

DarloRich · 2026-09-17T10:00:31+0100

Bletchleyite said:
And don't realise it was basically just the B end, so you can still use it exactly as you used to if you simply ignore the A end!

The B end "tunnel" is the old bridge, and bar the pub being outside basically has all the same facilities the old one had.

I have been thinking about this and I wonder if the biggest problem for posters here is that it doesn't look and feel like a "traditional" station.

Harpo · 2026-09-17T10:10:19+0100

DarloRich said:
I have been thinking about this and I wonder if the biggest problem for posters here is that it doesn't look and feel like a "traditional" station.

Perhaps the issue with the railway part of New Street is that it is way too traditional and still the same dark unfriendly shothole it always was?

CharlieSpotted · 2026-09-17T10:22:20+0100

Harpo said:
Perhaps the issue with the railway part of New Street is that it is way too traditional and still the same dark unfriendly shothole it always was?

This is seriously hyperbolic - it's not even true. There are loads of problems with New Street and many of them are at the platform level, but it objectively is not as dark as it was before. There is more lighting, it's much brighter (no doubt partly due to improved technology) and on some platforms there is natural light in areas coming through from the concourse above.

It was said above that some of these comments demonstrate that people never used the old New Street, or have perhaps forgotten what it was really like, and this is a prime example.

Bald Rick · 2026-09-17T10:33:56+0100

DarloRich said:
I can only assume posters here never used the old New Street!

Or the pre 1965 New St.

AlterEgo · 2026-09-17T10:38:01+0100

CharlieSpotted said:
This is seriously hyperbolic - it's not even true. There are loads of problems with New Street and many of them are at the platform level, but it objectively is not as dark as it was before. There is more lighting, it's much brighter (no doubt partly due to improved technology) and on some platforms there is natural light in areas coming through from the concourse above.

It was said above that some of these comments demonstrate that people never used the old New Street, or have perhaps forgotten what it was really like, and this is a prime example.

Indeed. Some improvements were made at platform level. New whiter fascias, new LED lighting, and decluttering of platform furniture on some platforms.

Merle Haggard · 2026-09-17T10:44:59+0100

Bald Rick said:
Or the pre 1965 New St.

At first, i thought that was the one being referred to, and then wondered whether the poster was old enough to remember it.

From what I remember it had natural lighting and a footbridge that gave access direct from street level to all platforms. There were ticket collectors at the top of each staircase.

No sushi bar, though. How did we cope???

Birmingham New Street the worst UK station?

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