Tories hit out at New Street delay

Jun 22 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

THE Government has been accused of "dragging its heels" over giving the green light to the long-awaited £550 million refurbishment of New Street Station.

Shadow transport minister Julian Brazier, speaking at a meeting of Birmingham Business Focus last night, said the city was being treated as a "disinherited younger child" in comparison to London.

Tony Blair assured the Birmingham Mail in April that the Government was "prepared to put the money in" for the vital revamp of New Street.

But he stuck to the official Whitehall line that an announcement on funding would not be made until later in the summer.

Funding applications totalling £378 million have been made to the Government for the Gateway Scheme, which includes the regeneration of the station, and the rest is planned to come from the private sector.

The New Street scheme, backed by a Birmingham Mail petition with more than 7,000 signatures, was raised in the Commons this week when Northfield MP Richard Burden urged transport ministers to make the station a top priority.

Mr Brazier said the 1960s station presented a poor image to anyone visiting Birmingham.

"In the last year, platforms were closed 15 times because of over-crowding. This is not a good image. The Government has been dragging its heels disgracefully and needs to take the decision as soon as possible.

"If we are serious about the fight against climate change, we have got to offer credible alternatives to road travel."

Mr Brazier added: "The road network around the city, and public transport, stand as an indictment to the disinterest of the Government."