Birmingham New Street Gates

[Techniquest]

+1 in favour of the refurbished New Street, it is far superior to what was there before. I liked the old one, not that I remember it too well now, but the current station is just so much better!

 

[Efini92]

What do you propose as an alternative? Closing the Bullring exit, which is the busiest one and is the one in the way of making the A end continuous? Closing the A end entirely? Those are the only two possibilities. There's not enough height at that end to put something like a footbridge between the two.

I would agree the signage saying that those changing should go to the B end should be clearer. It's definitely there but it could for instance be bright yellow.

The only other way (bar not having gates at all) would have been, when building it, to have an extra circulation floor between platforms and concourse, but that would to me have been worse. Or only have the B end passageway, but that would also have been worse as it'd have been more crowded.

You can't always build perfect solutions when refurbishing a station.

You can use the subway at the A end. Though it’s not well signposted.

 

[Bletchleyite]

+1 in favour of the refurbished New Street, it is far superior to what was there before. I liked the old one, not that I remember it too well now, but the current station is just so much better!

The old one was very much a mini Euston up top - not pretty but functional. I didn't hate it but the new one is definitely better.

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You can use the subway at the A end. Though it’s not well signposted.

Fairly sure that's only when accompanied by staff.

 

[Efini92]

The old one was very much a mini Euston up top - not pretty but functional. I didn't hate it but the new one is definitely better.

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Fairly sure that's only when accompanied by staff.

Is it? Sorry I thought it was open to anyone, just no one knows about it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is it? Sorry I thought it was open to anyone, just no one knows about it.

Isn't it for assistance vehicles?

 

[Efini92]

Isn't it for assistance vehicles?

It’s just where the lifts connect between the platforms.

 

[Bald Rick]

double post, deleted

 

[Dr Hoo]

 

[SCDR_WMR]

So they've gone from a station with one bridge to a station with two. You can still do exactly what you used to do by using the B end tunnel. It's wider and has better facilities, too.

OK, the old tunnel was where the A end is now, but how does that matter?



I think it's great, it has a lovely atmosphere up top, a very pleasant place to spend some time and unrivalled facilities for a UK station.



Your option before would have been "fight past 150 people on an overcrowded platform and walk to the east end of the station".

Don't forget there's also the second B end bridge as long as you don't want P1. That was going to be removed but has been kept.

I really don't miss he cramped old station. People don't know how lucky they are to not have the old New St

Navigation St/Victoria Square bridge accesses all platforms, exit only.

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Is it? Sorry I thought it was open to anyone, just no one knows about it.

It's the old tunnel for access to wha was the only lift up to the surface (which was always busy due to it bypassing the barriers). You should be accompanied down there now as it's not a passenger area

 

[xotGD]

View attachment 129832

It shouldn't say "All Passengers". It should say "Passengers with Connections" or similar.

Anyhow, you get off the train at the foot of an escalator, you naturally go up the escalator rather than heading off to the other end of the platform. Nowhere else on the network is going up the nearest escalator not the right thing to do.

And all this nonsense about Lounges. Makes it sound swanky, when it is just some seats to fester in.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

It shouldn't say "All Passengers". It should say "Passengers with Connections" or similar.

Anyhow, you get off the train at the foot of an escalator, you naturally go up the escalator rather than heading off to the other end of the platform. Nowhere else on the network is going up the nearest escalator not the right thing to do.

And all this nonsense about Lounges. Makes it sound swanky, when it is just some seats to fester in.

It does say for access to all other platforms, and you'd only need another platform if you were making a connection would you not?

New St is quite unique with it's layout, but it's always been that way. I remember accidentally exiting via the Victoria Square bridge on my 2nd visit there and being thoroughly confused about where I was. An exit is an exit, but not necessarily the one you need, wonder if there are many other stations that are like this.

As for the lounges, what do you suggest they're called? Surely a lounge is somewhere to sit and wait with toilets and refreshments available. Far superior that a waiting room I'd say

 

[Birmingham]

An exit is an exit, but not necessarily the one you need, wonder if there are many other stations that are like this.

One of those places where it’s worth spending a couple of minutes making sure you have the correct exit for your destination rather than just using the first one you see. Otherwise you may well find yourself walking back through the station anyway as it’s a brilliantly handy way to cross the city centre!

 

[Efini92]

It's the old tunnel for access to wha was the only lift up to the surface (which was always busy due to it bypassing the barriers). You should be accompanied down there now as it's not a passenger area

There’s no signage to suggest it’s not a passenger area.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There’s no signage to suggest it’s not a passenger area.

I could have sworn there was, but maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else.

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View attachment 129832

That's a bit wordy. It should just say Connections and Exit.

 

[alxndr]

It remains the only station I've ever had to ask for directions in, certainly not intuitive or sufficiently well signposted to compensate for it. I don't even find the map terribly clear (although I dislike the newer style of station map in general).

 

[Dr Hoo]

Anyhow, you get off the train at the foot of an escalator, you naturally go up the escalator rather than heading off to the other end of the platform. Nowhere else on the network is going up the nearest escalator not [necessarily] the right thing to do.

Whatever you do, don't ever try using the Elizabeth Line in the central area or the London Underground then! Very easy to go wrong there too.

And don't try catching a train from Reading to Waterloo either, or using Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central Low Level from Argyle Street, Leeds to the Aire Valley, Gatwick Airport, Liverpool Street, King's Cross, etc...

 

[xotGD]

Leeds to the Aire Valley

I arrive in a high numbered platform. I want a Skipton train from Platform 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. I go up the escalator right next to where I have alighted to change platform. I am NOT confronted by a set of ticket barriers. This is not necessarily the case at B.N.S. (Note - an initialism, not the three letter code for Barnes.)

King's Cross

For a start, I can't see why you would be making a connection at a terminus. Also, if you were changing platforms, they are all connected on the flat. Indeed, there are no up escalators, only lifts.

 

[Efini92]

I could have sworn there was, but maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else.

I’ll double check next time I’m there.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I arrive in a high numbered platform. I want a Skipton train from Platform 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. I go up the escalator right next to where I have alighted to change platform. I am NOT confronted by a set of ticket barriers. This is not necessarily the case at B.N.S. (Note - an initialism, not the three letter code for Barnes.)

For a start, I can't see why you would be making a connection at a terminus. Also, if you were changing platforms, they are all connected on the flat. Indeed, there are no up escalators, only lifts.

When I arrive at Leeds from Sheffield or Doncaster I often arrive on Platform 8. If I am going to the Aire Valley or Harrogate I definitely don’t want to yomp up the nearest escalator.

If I arrive at King’s Cross from Doncaster en route to visit a family member who lives in Finsbury Park I exit one set of barriers, definitely don’t want the escalators up to the mezzanine, but probably do want the separate barrier line for Platform 9 or 10 on the same level.

My basic point is ‘more haste, less speed’. Just take a few moments to gain situational awareness, check indicators, look for signage and so on.

 

[xotGD]

When I arrive at Leeds from Sheffield or Doncaster I often arrive on Platform 8. If I am going to the Aire Valley or Harrogate I definitely don’t want to yomp up the nearest escalator.

Of course not. You are already on the correct set of platforms.

But if you did inadvertently go up the escalator, you wouldn't be confronted with two sets of barriers before you could come down again.

 

[LowLevel]

+1 in favour of the refurbished New Street, it is far superior to what was there before. I liked the old one, not that I remember it too well now, but the current station is just so much better!

I know your tastes have changed significantly but there was nothing better than a Bite Card discounted Burger King XL Bacon Double Cheeseburger from next to the bottom of the Pallasades escalators back in the day

I always used to use the unmarked white doors down to the subway back in the day along with many others, aka the lifts subway. I was fairly sure that is meant to be a non public area now but I'm happy to be corrected!

 

[CE142]

It's quite simple if you know then use the B end of the platform, if normals don't then that's there hard luck for being clueless.

 

[zero]

I think this catches out almost everyone the first time they need to change at BHM when arriving towards the A end, but as long as you have the ability to investigate, or ask on a forum, you quickly learn that you can go to B and never have this problem again. Though I didn't know there was a subway on the A side, will have to keep an eye out the next time I go there which may not be for a while.

• Fight past 150 people on an overcrowded platform and walk to the west end of the station
• Go up the first set of stairs i find then faff about with barriers and queue (twice)

I always cross to the other platform which is usually much less crowded and then there is no need to fight past the other passengers (unless my door is right by the stairs/escalator). Actually I do this at most stations with island platforms when many passengers are alighting with me, can usually get to the stairs/escalator much more quickly than I otherwise would have.

If I arrive at King’s Cross from Doncaster en route to visit a family member who lives in Finsbury Park I exit one set of barriers, definitely don’t want the escalators up to the mezzanine, but probably do want the separate barrier line for Platform 9 or 10 on the same level.

I thought you could go between 0-8 and 9-10 without passing through barriers, I investigated this before but can't remember exactly. If sitting at the front of the ECML train it may be easier to go with the flow of people though

 

[DarloRich]

Why does new steeet cause posters here so many issues?

 

[David Goddard]

I thought you could go between 0-8 and 9-10 without passing through barriers, I investigated this before but can't remember exactly. If sitting at the front of the ECML train it may be easier to go with the flow of people though

You can- walk up platform 8 to the end of the train shed and turn left to access 9
For 10 you then have to go all the way back down 9 and round the buffers so that's normally quicker via the concourse and barriers.

 

[BeijingDave]

Why does new steeet cause posters here so many issues?

Well, it's always been a dump at platform level, which most people can't wait to leave, so there is that.

 

[The Planner]

It's quite simple if you know then use the B end of the platform, if normals don't then that's there hard luck for being clueless.

Or how about making it easier so "normals" don't have any issues? How we must be jealous of cranks knowing more.

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Well, it's always been a dump at platform level, which most people can't wait to leave, so there is that.

Its an underground station, what can you do with it.

 

[BeijingDave]

Or how about making it easier so "normals" don't have any issues? How we must be jealous of cranks knowing more.

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Exactly. I have no interest in planes really, and I shouldn't be expected to brief myself of the detailed workings and layout of a major airport before I transfer there, I just want to follow decent signposting (especially if I have limited transfer time).

 

[GoneSouth]

So you want to go back to the 1960's?
What happened then cannot be compared to what happens now.
I've been using |New St for years and have never had a problem walking down to the B end, even during the morning rush, or having to go through all the gates, even when they reject my ticket.
Methinks you are in a very, very small minority.

Why does everybody get so uptight about a personal opinion that I found it easier to change trains when there was a well lit and signed option, available from the centre of the platform and I could do it in under 2 mins. I often can’t now.

I’m not commenting on the station, it’s facilities, number or quality of train services, staff etc, just one very specific aspect.

I did get off a VERY busy XC train this week and walked into a wall of people trying to get on and off, battled down to the B end and it def took longer than it used to… I missed my connection !

BNS above platform level is fantastic if you have a lot of time to go shopping or eat in a restaurant, but on my one gripe you’re not going to convince me it’s easier than it used to be.

Chill

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Its an underground station, what can you do with it.

I don’t think it was originally, happy to be corrected if I’m wrong. Darkness and choking emissions were by design in the sixties.

 

[class68fan]

The old footbridge at the A bit was not grate but were easy to get between all platform. It were functional but not nice to the eye. The new station make that harder if needs to get through 2 barrier if they are not left open. B end bridge is ok but long walk from A end and back.