BIRMINGHAMInternational Airport is planning to start work on a £30m public transport interchange next summer.
The scheme, co-funded by the airport, Railtrack and the National Exhibition Centre, will link arriving and departing air passengers with trains serving the UK. A 300-bed hotel and new car park are also being built. Work should be finished by 2001.
Railtrack is also investing £1m into the airport’s station.
Some 20,000 people use the station, but the figure is expected to rise to 30,000 by 2005. This will coincide with a forecasted increase in BIA’s passenger numbers to 10m from the existing 7m.
British Airways and Jersey European Airways, which have hubs at the airport, are planning major network expansion in Europe from Birmingham.
Other plans for the interchange include a fast link from the airport’s two terminals and improved bus facilities.
Last month, Birmingham started a project to have 20% of workers and passengers using public transport by 2005 (Travel Weekly September 27).