GENERAL DESCRIPTION |
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This is (physically) a through station on the main line between Coventry and Wolverhampton, which runs approximately east/west through the station. Other lines, themselves forming a significant part of the National Rail network are also served, see the "Lines Served" section of the front page. Although a through station, many services terminate here and there appears to be no convention as to which trains are served by which platform.
There are 12 numbered platforms, 1 - 12 from north - south. The higher numbered platforms are increasingly curved through the station to satisfy constraints of nearby tunnels and points. There are five island platforms, 2 - 11, with platforms 1 and 12 being single platforms against the boundaries of the station. Platform 12, however, has a bay platform at each end which doesn't appear to feature in the public area of the station.
A forecourt, containing the taxi rank extends east of the main building which bounds the west and north sides of the forecourt. The west side contains the main entrances to the station, plus lifts which serve platforms 6 - 7 and 8 - 9 directly, plus the remaining platforms via a subway; making the station accessible to wheelchair users.
The north side of the forecourt contains a local travel advice centre, the Virgin Rail First Class Lounge and some shops.
The two entrances from the forecourt lead into the main concourse, either side of the stairs and escalators to the Palisades shopping mall, which lies beyond the scope of our survey. The concourse contains various shops and refreshments vendors. The major ticket sales, advice centres and entrance gates are established along the far (west) side of the concourse. From left to right (south - north) are: Advanced Bookings, Same Day Bookings, Customer Reception/Assistance, Travel Advice and the entrance gates.
The entrance gates lead onto the main bridge which connects all platforms. Each platform is divided into A and B sections, with section A lying to the east and section B to the west of the main bridge. An additional platform 4C has recently been added to the west end of the island platform 4 - 5.
The toilets and restaurant are on the west side of the bridge, whilst the bar is on the east.
We understand that the stairs to the A platforms are normally used as entrances, whilst the escalators and stairs from the B platforms are exits. There are, however, no escalators from platforms 1 or 12 and there is stairs access to platform 12 B only.
The subway, connecting all platforms, runs north/south, some distance east of the main bridge, serving the A sections of the platforms. Lifts serving platforms 6 - 7 and 8 - 9 connect the subway to the forecourt, whilst the remaining lifts merely connect the subway to the platforms. There's an emergency stair exit from the south (platform 12) end of the subway to Station Street.
A second (west) bridge connects the B sections of the island platforms (2 - 11) to the Victoria Square exit. Platform 5B ends here, the island platform 4-5 narrows and 4C commences almost immediately west of this bridge.
A road, supported by large pillars, cuts across the station at an angle - about southeast/northwest. This can be observed towards the east end of platform 12 A and towards the west end of platform 1 B. This appears not to be associated with the station but may prove as an aid to orientation.
There's lift access between the forecourt and all platforms.
There is stairs-only access between the victoria Square entrance and platforms 2 -11.
This guide is sponsored by
RNIB Birmingham and
The BCAB Trainer Certification Scheme
to whom we extend our sincere thanks.
© 2003, Terry Robinson