New Street station and other travel hubs must be safer, cleaner, more convenient and more pleasant places, argues architect Ian Saunders as he puts the boot in on behalf of downtrodden commuters... Whichever way you look at it, Birmingham's New Street station is a blot on an otherwise up-and-coming landscape, a regional embarrassment. And the improvement of bus, coach and train stations in the West Midlands is imperative to the future development of Birmingham, according to Ian Saunders, partner at Digbeth-based D5 Architects. His arguement goes like this - today's user is a sophisticated consumer with options and expectations that exceed the typical corporation style public transport depot. The public transport customer has long used the service through lack of choice and, despite the treatment they receive, this cannot continue in the future. "We have been asked many times as airport designers why they provide such a high standard of passenger accommodation," he says, "when surely the question should be: Why are other transport systems provided at such a low level?" According to Mr Saunders, there is light at the end of the tunnel as Passenger Transport Executives and service providers develop transport systems to compete with the private car, offering added value to the user. "Systems must be easier, safer, cheaper, save time, and offer opportunities not possible elsewhere to become more attractive for the customer," he says. "Much is being done by Centro, National Express, Birmingham International Airport, Travel West Midlands, and Midland Metro to improve transport facilities and infrastructure across the region although the ever-present question mark over New Street station remains. "First impressions matter and the transport network as a whole is the region's introduction to every visitor who starts with the traditional Birmingham prejudice. "Not only do the many thousands of visitors arrive in what looks like an underground toilet, but a station which is unsafe when regularly used beyond its 40-year-old design limits. "The number of passengers served by New Street station is staggering, the importance of its location on the main line unparalleled and the generation of wealth and opportunity it offers to the region inestimable. Yet on a busy day, it can be subject to closure on safety grounds." He says this as a architect who, together with D5 colleagues, is extensively involved with organisations such as Birmingham International and Manchester airports, Centro and National Express, on a wide range of differing projects and schemes. "The common thread and main driving focus by all parties is centred on developing the integration of transport modes to create interchanges, which speed up travel times," explains Mr Saunders. "This is introducing a new build typology - the multi-modal interchange - a new concept for transport which we have been heavily involved in developing." For example, D5 designed and planned the recently completed extension to Birmingham International station for bus, coach, taxi and light rail connections to the West Coast Mainline, and last year fitted out a similar, but larger facility at Manchester airport. "These buildings are appearing all over the country and represent a shift in thinking, not only strategically, but tactically," says Mr Saunders. "Architects are involved in the genesis of many of these projects, broadening objectives beyond operational, engineered criteria to include a response to the human condition. "Without consideration of the human experience, we will not move public transport design forward. "Facilities need to be safer, cleaner, more convenient and enjoyable in order to reflect public expectations." He points to the Thames Gateway, which has been able to attract £200 million of DfT funding for a bridge to act as a catalyst for regeneration and provide a much needed boost to the local economy. "Yet the West Midlands cannot fund the making safe of its primary railway station. The situation at New Street supports the case for all transport planning to work at a local level within a national strategy - the DfT is already considering regional assemblies, but whether this Government will release central control remains to be seen," he says. "Public transport is a long-running political drama, and one which will prove to be a major battleground of the next general election. "That said, the creation and maintenance of a worthy public transport system is not the work of a Parliament defined by political expediency, but should be the work of the public transport executives delivering for the metropolitan areas where local need demands. "These public bodies exist and with their private sector colleagues are working tirelessly to ensure that your bus gets you to work tomorrow faster, easier and more comfortably than before." | 
