WSP heads up design team at Birmingham New Street

Multidisciplinary group WSP has been appointed by Network Rail as lead consultant for a design study into the regeneration of Birmingham New Street Station.

WSP will work with architects John McAslan & Partners and Chapman Taylor on the £3.9m study. Design work on the £350m New Street development was started by Will Alsop & Partners but its plans were scrapped by Network Rail when the practice went into administration last year.

The design study will also evaluate the commercial element of the scheme and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In January formal funding for the scheme was signed by Birmingham City Council and the Strategic Rail Authority in January. Network Rail will deliver the project.

Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman of the New Street station steering group said: “The appointment of WSP and John McAslan and Partners as their lead architects to take the New Street station project forward is very exciting.”

“These two practices have a wealth of experience and a track record of delivering high quality buildings both at home and abroad.”

The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station is expected to be completed by 2011.