Business Voice WM has hit out at the 'shabby' state of
Birmingham International station.
Glyn Pitchford, BVWM business sector representative for the
Birmingham and Black Country City Region, says it is putting off
passengers.
Now he has written to Tony Collins, chief executive of Virgin
Trains, which manages the station, to ask what plans there may be
for doing something about it.
Mr Pitchford states: "Birmingham International is not just the
station for Birmingham International Airport and the National
Exhibition Centre - important though that is - but is effectively
the international gateway to the West Midlands region.
"With business customers travelling from Worcestershire,
Herefordshire and Warwickshire to use it, the regional, national
and international significance of the station cannot be
underestimated.
"The current state of Birmingham International does not meet
expectations. Its shabby appearance and poor lighting on platforms
is off-putting for passengers and harms the positive branding of
the West Midlands for tourists, business travellers and inward
investors.
"The improvement of the station would not only aid businesses in
the West Midlands but would also help with the flow of new
passengers."
What was need, he added, was "a bright and enhanced"
complex.