Posted 12th June 2009 | 3 Comments

Kings Norton becomes first ‘green’ station in West Midlands

(ltr) London Midland commercial director Alex Hynes, Centro Lead Member for Rail and Rapid Transit, Cclr Tim Huxtable and Centro Lead Member for Smarter Choices, Cclr Christine Mills

KINGS Norton, Birmingham has been declared the West Midlands’ first eco-friendly station after a team effort to create a bespoke ‘green’ travel plan for its users.

Transport authority Centro, London Midland, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and local bus operators have joined forces to put better facilities in place over the next two years to enable customers to access the station by walking, cycling, bus and car sharing.

One of 24 pilot schemes across England, the scheme features real-time bus information inside the station, walking and cycling routes with enhanced lighting and CCTV, new cycle storage and improved signage for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Kings Norton scheme was officially launched at the start of June’s National Bike Week, and promotional staff gave out goody bags to cyclists and information packs to commuters during the morning peak.

London Midland’s commercial director Alex Hynes said: “It makes sense to use sustainable transport, and we are investing hundreds of millions in improvements to stations and a fleet of brand new trains, so we are delighted to work with Centro on this green travel promotion.”

Reader Comments:

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  • Daniel, Birmingham

    Quote: "Why not extend the national pensioners free bus pass to rail services" The CENTRO issued passes are vaild already within the CENTRO area, of which Kings Norton is in. I think extending them country wide wouldnt be a good idea.
    Also "What about space for cycles on buses" sort of putting them on the back of the bus I doubt you could find anywhere for them either. it a good idea that they are putting more cycle storage at the station as people who bring their bikes on trains are a nightmere most of the time and hardly any of them can be bothered to put them in the correct space on the train, instead they wedge them in doorways.

  • H. T. Harvey, Birmingham, UK

    Wheres the train in the photoshot

    What about Real Time train information outside the station.

    What about showing train stations on buses now that many bus routes have buses directly allocated

    What about space for cycles on buses.

    What about interchangibility of bus and rail tickets

    What about returning to the bus/rail integration of the early years of centros predecessors

    Why not extend the national pensioners free bus pass to rail services.
    what impact has the pensioners pass had on rail services and the take up of senior railcards

    The TOCs have been rather quiet about the bus pass could it be that they nearly all are bus company based.

  • Nick, Bham

    launch is next Monday