Business leaders in Birmingham and Solihull today expressed amazement that Birmingham International was not listed as one of the worst rail stations in the country.

The station, which serves both Birmingham International Airport and The National Exhibition Centre, was not included in a list of 10 stations indentified in a report by Stations Champions, Sir Peter Hall and Chris Green, as needing urgent improvements.

The decision was greeted with dismay in the region because it is widely recognised that the station is not fit to serve a European and international exhibition and entertainment venue and a global gateway.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI), said: "Sadly, the station still helps to form lasting opinions - but for all of the wrong reasons. It is tired and needs a serious lift to its depressing demeanour. 

"Rather than a welcoming major gateway as it was designed to be, it is now operated as a bland Parkway Station for those heading to London. The franchising process seems to have stymied any hope of a rapid resolution to the problem. 

"For the station to be recognised for what it is, it should be removed from the franchise process - which inevitably leads to lack of investment towards the end of franchise periods. 

"Tarting up the toilets is not a satisfactory response to a station which serves a major European exhibition and entertainment venue and an international gateway. We've made representations on this. Many people politely listen but it appears that nobody wants to act.

"In my opinion, Birmingham International should be dealt with as a Network Rail 'Tier One' station (like most important Rail Stations), or perhaps it should be handed over to another body to run, outside of the franchise process." 

In the report, Manchester Victoria received the lowest rating, followed by Barking, Stockport, Preston, Wigan North Western, Liverpool Central, Warrington Bank Quay and Luton.

Mr Blackett added: "When Birmingham International Station was opened in 1976 to serve The NEC and the future Elmdon Airport terminal building, as it was called at the time, it was the first completely new major railway station to be built in Britain since Marylebone station was completed in the late 1890s. 

"It made a bold statement that the region was open for business. It was the first thing that many visitors saw when visiting The NEC, and it played a vital part in forming opinions. It is now recognised that the airport and The NEC are destinations in their own right, and that they made massive contributions to the local economy.

"Since then, the M42 Corridor around The NEC and airport has become the region's economic Jewel in the Crown, and the only part of the West Midlands where value added (a measure of productivity) outstrips the national average. 

"We all have a part to play in maintaining the success of this part of our region, and that's just one reason why the airport has just invested £50 million in a new International Pier to replace its tired predecessor - which was built eight years after  International station."