HS2 depot given green light by Birmingham City Council
It's hoped the project will create up to 550 jobs
HS2’s enormous control and maintenance depot in Washwood Heath has been given planning permission by Birmingham City Council. The scheme is estimated to provide up to 550 jobs and was unanimously supported by councillors.
Labour MP for Hodge Hill Liam Byrne said during a consultation a ‘nasty-looking fence’ could ‘disfigure’ the landscape. He added the company’s failure to indicate how or when any land not required for permanent works will be handed back is ‘insulting’ to the local community.
But councillors gave resounding approval to the depot, which will eventually become the main control centre for the entire HS2 network, as well as the primary maintenance and stabling facility for the company’s train fleet.
At a planning meeting, Cllr Lee Marsham (Lab, Nechells) said: “HS2 will improve our rail network, make it greener and bring economic growth to our city. The depot design is a nod to our industrial past and will create 550 jobs at the old LDV and Alstom site in an area of Birmingham, which needs more opportunities. As an aside, the Government needs to build HS2 in full as it has promised many times.”
Cllr Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) said: “I’m very supportive of the application. It’s not very often I agree with Liam Byrne, but on this occasion I do, particularly around some of his comments about some of the design aspects.
“It is a shame more work couldn’t be done to improve that visual look, but it is a massive piece of infrastructure for the city and the benefits it offers definitely outweigh the negatives.”
Richard Kirkham, HS2’s Light Systems Programme Client, said via a press release: “We’re pleased that Birmingham City Council’s planning committee has approved our plans for the HS2 depot at Washwood Heath, marking a significant milestone for HS2 in the Midlands.
“Over 550 jobs will be created by the depot’s operations in a range of disciplines including facilities management, fleet management, production, depot drivers and cleaning. We’re working closely with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders to maximise these job opportunities for people in the local area.”
Kay Hughes, HS2’s Design Director added: “Good functional design has been a vital part of developing the plans for the depot, including ensuring this new large-scale facility contributes to improving a significant area on the outskirts of Birmingham, and streamlining operations for the railway. Our design team have worked closely with the Council to make sure we deliver the right design for the local area, which we can all be proud of.”
The sprawling development in Washwood Heath will be roughly 1.6km long and 0.5km wide, with enough space for a control centre, maintenance building, a cleaners and drivers building, and a large stabling area. 18 trains are expected to come and go every hour.
HS2’s partner at Glenn Howells Architects, Alan McCartney, said: “The Washwood Heath Depot is a true asset for the region, bringing the heart of the HS2 network to Birmingham. Investment in job creation and aspirational standards of sustainable design have guided the development of the architecture and integrated railway infrastructure. Elegant industrial buildings are set within a heathland landscape with staff safety, wellness and operational efficiency at the core of each building’s design.”
“It is incredible to see the transformation of the site, which has always been part of the UK’s railway history, and we look forward to the next stages of creating the operational heart of the HS2 railway network.”