Builders have taken up tools again at Digbeth Coach Station after the appointment of a new developer kickstarted the stalled project.
Lincolnshire-based Spencer has stepped in to complete the £15 million redevelopment after the collapse of the previous developer Ashford Construction left the flagship scheme half-finished.
The coach station’s operator National Express said the new hub is still planned to open to the public on schedule at the beginning of December in time for the Christmas holidays.
National Express director of property Stuart Parker said “We have kept the project on track and this is testament to the quality and commitment of our team, the design consultants – Goring Berry; SBS; Acies and EDCM – and all of the subcontractors working on the redevelopment. We’d like to welcome C Spencer Ltd on board to finish what will be Birmingham’s newest gateway.”
Work ground to a halt on the coach station at the beginning of July after Ashford Construction ceased trading amid crippling debts.
The company went into administration shortly afterwards with the loss of 48 jobs. Later in the month its parent company Old House Holdings collapsed alongside sister firm Concept Development Solutions.
The demise of Coleshill-based Ashford also threatened building work on a £35 million Warwickshire College site to train power workers before St Modwen took over responsibility for the construction programme.
Barrow-on-Humber-based Spencer has worked with National Express on a number of projects including the redevelopment of Sheffield’s train station when it was operated by Midland Mainline and the extension of car parks on its National Express East Anglia rail franchise.
Spencer chief operating officer Gary Thornton said: “We are delighted to have been asked by National Express to help complete this prestigious project and look forward to working with the team to deliver an outstanding facility for the people of Birmingham.”
The new coach station, which will be wrapped in copper cladding, will feature an open-plan concourse for customers, electronic passenger information screens and as-it-happens information.
It was designed by SBS architects in partnership with National Express and the city council to complement regeneration plans for Digbeth, Eastside and the Irish Quarter.
National Express is also spearheading an innovative public art project as part of the coach station redevelopment together with EC Arts.
The 190-metre long artwork entitled “Boundary” will act as a perimeter to the site and is constructed of individual strips of steel which lean and change shape as visitors move around the fence.
The art project is being funded by National Express with contributions from Birmingham City Council, the British Arts Council and the Birmingham Irish Forum and Irish Quarter Regeneration.
National Express is using a temporary coach station in Oxford Street,.
