Plans for a £550 million redevelopment of New Street Station are reaching the "end game" as far as a Government decision on funding is concerned, the leader of Birmingham City Council said last night.
Mike Whitby, who chairs the New Street Gateway steering committee, will hold crucial talks with West Midlands Minister Liam Byrne on Monday, where he will insist that the new station "cannot be delivered on the cheap".
Transport Ministers told the council a month ago that they were not satisfied proper consideration had been given to lower-cost development options.
A Network Rail grant of £128 million toward the full cost has been signed off, but approval is still required for two further grants totalling £220 million.
Coun Whitby (Con Harborne) said the council had carried out further modelling work, looking at various lower-cost options, but had concluded the Gateway scheme would deliver the best value for money.
He added: "When we last met with Government officials, they asked us to provide more details on a number of lower cost proposals for New Street, and we have been working to collate this information for them.
"Having completed this work I am in no doubt that our original plan is the only viable option if Government are to stick to their word and help us deliver a modern transport hub, fit for the 21st century.
"We believe the current proposals will not only do this, but also act as a real catalyst for the economic, cultural and physical regeneration of the both the city, and far wider city region. We cannot settle for second best. And I believe the Government will approve the remaining tranche of public funding."
In total the New Street Steering Committee has bid for £350 million in public money to fund the redevelopment, which should unlock £200 million in private sector cash.
