UK airport to get huge new train station with high speed routes – making it ‘easier to get to than Heathrow’
ONE of the UK’s biggest airports has revealed plans for a new high speed train station – that will make it quicker to get to from London than Heathrow Airport.
Birmingham Airport is making huge changes over the next few years, including opening a new train station that will connect its passengers onto the HS2 network.
Once both the train station and HS2 line are complete, journeys between Birmingham International Airport and Old Oak Common in London could take as little as 32 minutes.
Journeys between Birmingham International Airport and London Euston currently take 70 minutes.
Not only will the new HS2 link see journeys between the two destinations slashed by more than a half, but it will also be quicker for passengers in London to get to Birmingham compared to Heathrow.
Tube journeys on the Piccadilly Line from London Heathrow to London King’s Cross take just over an hour.
While the HS2 link to Birmingham would be quicker than journeys on the tube to Heathrow, the Heathrow Express train ferries passengers between London Paddington and Heathrow in 15 minutes (although comes with a hefty price).
Plans to build the new station at Birmingham International Airport are well underway, with the project out to tender.
Nick Barton, who is the chief executive of Birmingham Airport, told the Express & Star: “The station box will be here, and that can put you into London with the right connecting time in under 40 minutes.
“The train time from the main interchange to Old Oak Common which is the main contact point, will be 32 minutes from us which is extraordinary.
“We think we’ll be in Zone 5 of the tube map – Heathrow is in Zone 6.”
While plans are well underway, it is not yet known when the new train station will open.
Earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, but Barton ruled out a second runway in Birmingham.
The Solihull-based airport extended its runway back in 2014, with Barton explaining that a second runway isn’t needed.
The new train station and its high-speed links to the English capital are just one part of the huge changes that are underway at Birmingham International Airport.
By 2033, the airport hopes to serve more than 18million passengers each year by launching a host of new routes.
Direct routes to long-haul destinations like New York, Toronto and Hong Kong could be on the cards.
Birmingham International Airport is undergoing a huge £300million renovation, with new security scanners being installed.
The new CT scanners eliminate the need to remove liquids or electronics from hand luggage – although passengers need to stick to 100ml liquid restrictions.
Later this year, two new security lanes will open at Birmingham International Airport.
The huge multi-million-pound renovation project is running parallel to Birmingham Airport’s goal to be a net zero carbon airport by 2033.
Nearly £10million has been pumped into an on-site solar farm, which will provide 20 per cent of the airport’s electrical power.
My View: Three Places to visit in Birmingam
THE Sun’s Travel Reporter Hope Brotherton, who is from Birmingham, has revealed her top places to hit up when she’s in the city.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
One of my favourite haunts is the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which recently reopened to the public following a huge renovation.
Head to the museum to get your fill of Pre-Raphaelite Art.
Birmingham Back to Backs
Across the city centre is Birmingham Back to Backs, a tiny brick courtyard hidden behind the Hippodrome and has recently been named the UK’s best hidden gem attraction.
The houses, which were largely used by working class families, easily transport visitors back to the 1930s.
From the faux wallpaper to the tins of custard, the devil certainly is in the detail.
Cadbury World
Earlier this year, the Bournville attraction welcomed its first new ride in 27 years – the Cadbury Chocolate Quest.
My family and I couldn’t stop laughing as we fired our laser guns at interactive screens.
Our endeavours to shoot at ingredients were justly rewarded when we were presented with a bar of dairy milk as we disembarked.
London Stansted Airport confirmed a £1.1billion renovation, with a £600million new terminal.
And Manchester Airport is currently undergoing a £1.3billion renovation.