Perry Barr Station reopened at the end of May 2022

Perry Barr Station was reopened on Sunday 29th May 2022 on the Wolverhampton via Birmingham New Street to Walsall line. Elliott got an off-peak return to the station the following day to check the station out. Trains every half hour in both directions. Looks much better than the old station, it now also has lifts. Platform gap to trains is a bit high, but other than that it's ok.

A visit to Perry Barr Station on Monday 30th May 2022, with an off-peak day return ticket only £3.00 in the West Midlands Railway app from Birmingham New Street and back.

I arrived at Perry Barr on the 11:40 on platform 2 on board London Northwestern Railway 350101.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

London Northwestern Railway 350101 seen shortly before departing for Walsall. Youtuber Sim0n Trains was there most of the day.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Up the steps, a quick look at the concourse on the way out.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It's pretty spacious in here, a bit quiet during off peak hours.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Was raining on arrival at Perry Barr. A quick look at the exterior of the new station building.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It looks like rusted metal, compared to the old concrete that was there from the 1960s until 2021.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

After a Costa Coffee stop out of the rain at the One Stop Shopping Centre, the start of a walk towards Perry Park, had to cross over Walsall Road, and find my way onto Aldridge Road.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

About an hour later after coming back via the Tame Valley Canal, there was now a worker on a cherry picker near the Perry Barr Station sign. View with The Mercian.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A lot of work still to be done in the public realm outside of the station and One Stop, near Walsall Road.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One shutter that was open earlier was now closed while the cherry picker was there, but was an entrance near the ticket machine.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The concourse from the other side, near the ticket desk.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the bridge between the lifts, Sim0n Trains and friend were still there getting footage for his video.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Sim0n Trains videoing the steps from platform 2 by the looks of it.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View down platform 1.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Had a half hour wait for my train back to Birmingham New Street. First up, the 13:40 to Walsall showed up at platform 2. London Northwestern Railway 350403.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Then London Northwestern Railway 350403, the 13:43 to Wolverhampton (via Birmingham New Street showed up) about a minute late. Caught this back to Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 30052022 (16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Perry Barr Station in 2012 and 2022

Since May 2021, Perry Barr Station has been closed to passengers for redevelopment ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The last station building was built in the 1960s and was very tired and dull looking after 55 years. Outside roadworks after the Perry Barr Flyover was pulled down in 2021. Should be complete by May 2022. Only time Elliott got a train here was August 2012.

Perry Barr Station history

The first station was built by the Grand Junction Railway in 1837, and is one of the oldest continually served stations in the world (until the 2021-22 redevelopment).  The GJR became part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR), later the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), who all owned the station in turn, before the nationalisation of the railways in 1948 under British Railways in 1948 (later British Rail). The station was rebuilt in 1966 when the line was electrified towards Walsall. After privatisation in the 1990s, the station was run by Central Trains (from 1997), then London Midland (from 2007), and now West Midlands Railway (from 2017).

The station is on the Birchfield Road in Perry Barr, near Walsall Road and the One Stop Shopping Centre.

The visit of August 2012

The only time I got a return train journey to Perry Barr was in August 2012, for my then first photo walk around Perry Barr. Arriving on London Midland 323220.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

First view of the 1966 station building, with a pair of steps up to the exit.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The train I got off continues towards Walsall.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There used to be a ramp exit on both sides.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the steps towards platform 2.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The old British Rail Station Perry Barr sign was there for a long time.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Plus at the time the Network West Midlands station sign for Perry Barr.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There used to be a subway under the road here which you could use to get to Birmingham City University's City North Campus.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later after my walk, heading down the steps to platform 1, to catch a train on the Chase Line back to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Waiting for my train.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Time to leave Perry Barr on London Midland 323202.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station (Aug 2012) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2nd January 2022

Been so busy over the last 6 months, that I've had no time to travel up to Perry Barr. Traffic always seemed busy, if you were going to the cemetery at Witton.

On the second day of the new year, I caught an X51 bus to Perry Barr. An express bus service towards Cannock. First wanted to check out the Alexander Stadium / Perry Park, and the stop was near Perry Avenue. Bit hard to see the stadium or proper park access, so walked down Walsall Road past the One Stop to check out the new station building.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The new station building is partially complete / cladded. But at least five more months work to complete it, ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Temporary bus stops on the Birchfield Road.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I went down Wellington Road at one point, so much traffic, and realised that there wasn't a distant bridge view of the station, so crossed over and headed back up to the island.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading up Wellington Road, behind the new station building was the construction site of what was formerly going to be the Athletes Village for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After crossing at the temporary lights over Birchfield Road (subways and footbridge have gone). Got this view from near Aston Lane.

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading onto the other side of the Birchfield Road, for one last view of Perry Barr Station, before waiting to catch a no 51 bus back to the City Centre. I wonder how they will deal with the crossing of this busy road, no subways, no footbridge!

dndimg alt="Perry Barr Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Perry Barr Station 02012022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is a bit of a walk from here to Perry Park, for visitors going to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games from July - August 2022. A lot of roadworks are still unfinished. Hopefully they will finish everything here on time, fingers crossed.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

New Perry Barr Station Approved!

A new flagship Train Station for Perry Barr has today been approved (9-1) at Birmingham City Council's Planning Committee.

Forming part of a wider £500 million regeneration of Perry Barr, the station will replace the current 1960s building, a station deemed unfit for modern purposes.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/PBStation.png" />

The new Perry Barr Station will be a fully accessible, fit-for-purpose station with upgraded ticket offices, toilets & baby changing facilities, alongside new lifts and stairs to the platforms.

It'll replace the current 1960s building, a station deemed unfit for modern purposes.

Redevelopment - set to start in the spring - forms part of a wider £500 million regeneration of Perry Barr, with the new station set to benefit from 'strong links to north Birmingham’s road, bus and cycle networks'.

The redevelopment, however, is said to be £10 million over budget, and currently stands at approximately £30.98 million - raising some concerns over the scheme.

FULL STATION REDESIGN/ OUTLINE BUS INTERCHANGE

Original proposals in September 2020 were roundly criticised when first unveiled. This ultimately led to a redesign by Glancy Nicholls Architects late last year.

It now features more glazing, as well as perforated metal panels, incorporating sporting images, with the intention of providing Perry Barr with a visual landmark, both during the day and at night.

Landscaping of all public areas were also changed to reflect the redesign, with new paving, planters & provision for a minimum 21 cycle spaces.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/perrybarrstationnewdesignnight1.jpg" />

As well as the railway station, outline planning permission was also granted for a bus interchange in front of the neighbouring One Stop Shopping Centre.

Indicative plans will see a sprint stop, three bus stops, signal controlled pedestrian crossings and pick-up/drop-off area for taxi’s and disabled users.

Further details will be the subject of a future reserved matters application.

CONSTRUCTION

Galliford Try were awarded the tender to build the station back in March 2020 - as revealed by Itsyourbuild back in March, and they will begin works in the spring, before opening to visitors ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The project is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the West Midlands Rail Executive in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Network Rail and West Midlands Trains.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/zz.jpg" />

All images the property of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM)/Glancy Nicholls Architects