The arrival of HS2 in 2026 is expected to help transform the city centre and unlock up to 36,000 jobs and 4,000 new homes across Birmingham. HS2’s early works contractors are already on site, preparing the ground for the start of construction.

The vision for the station includes a huge arched roof inspired by the city’s transport and industrial heritage. The latest images of the proposed designs, by WSP, working with Grimshaw Architects and Glenn Howells, were unveiled last month as part of a series of regional community engagement events.

Putting people at the centre of the design, the station will be designed to offer seamless connections to the West Midlands Metro as well as local rail services via the neighbouring Moor Street station and bus, taxi, cycle and pedestrian access to the wider region.

Work is also underway to restore and reopen the original Curzon Street Station building, the only surviving part of the original 1838 station, as a visitor and heritage centre.

Welcoming the start of the contest, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, said:

HS2 is already unlocking new opportunities to create skilled jobs across the West Midlands and, over the next decade, the winner of the Curzon Street contract will go on to build one of the most exciting and high profile elements of the project.

We’re looking for the best the construction industry has to offer. Companies that share our commitment to safety, good design, environmental protection and value for money. Together we will deliver an iconic new gateway to Birmingham – a building the city, the wider region and the travelling public can be proud to call their own.

HS2 Minister, Nusrat Ghani, said:

Birmingham is central to HS2, and the transformation that is already taking place shows exactly how our new high-speed railway will drive forward regeneration and economic growth across the country.

Curzon Street station will be the perfect gateway to Birmingham and will live long in the memories of visitors, boosting business and tourism in the city.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

The start of this procurement process is a hugely significant step forward towards building what will be one of the real showpieces of the entire HS2 network here in Birmingham. However, what I think makes HS2 really exciting is the jobs, homes and opportunities it will bring to our city, leaving a legacy that I hope will benefit generations to come.

Dawn Karakatsanis, Director of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Midlands), said:

The start of the procurement process for a new station at Birmingham Curzon Street is a fantastic opportunity for industry and a boon for the entire region.

CECA believes HS2 will be fundamental to the rebalancing of the economy and will drive growth, create jobs, and be transformational in closing the capacity gap on the UK’s railways.

HS2 will be central to the diverse portfolio of transport infrastructure the UK will rely upon in coming years, and the initiation of procurement for a new station at Birmingham Curzon Street should be seen as a major milestone towards the delivery of this once-in-a-generation project.

Separate contractors, appointed last year, will build the tunnels and viaducts that will carry the new 360km/h trains into the centre of Birmingham and to the Interchange station near Solihull, the NEC and Birmingham Airport.

At the peak of construction, more than 30,000 jobs are expected to be supported by the project nationally, with Birmingham also home to the National College for High Speed Rail and the HS2 rolling stock depot and national control centre at Washwood Heath. More than 7,000 jobs are already supported by the project, both directly and across the UK-wide supply chain.

HS2 services will eventually connect over 25 destinations and 30 million people across the UK. Trains will serve existing city centre stations in places like Glasgow and Newcastle, as well as brand new purpose built stations in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and the East Midlands.

For Curzon Street, bidders are expected to be shortlisted in the spring, with contracts awarded in 2020. Separate construction contracts for Birmingham Interchange will follow next year.

HS2 today began the search for the construction team that will take the new Curzon Street station from concept to reality, and put Birmingham firmly at the heart of the HS2 network.

Today on International Men’s Day, the Government Equalities Office will commission new research which will look at stereotypical expectations of men and boys.

To mark International Men’s Day (19 November) new research will be commissioned to look at how rigid gender stereotypes – including being dominant and competitive – affect men and boys, including a focus on developing ways to change negative attitudes towards women.

This new research, commissioned by the Government Equalities Office, will focus on understanding the best way to talk to men and boys about harmful stereotypes. This research will inform a new tool for groups who work directly with men and boys such as educators and community influencers.

Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said:

On International Men’s Day we should remember that equality is for everyone. In many areas men get a raw deal, and often issues affecting them such as domestic violence or health or child care aren’t discussed.

I want to challenge rigid stereotypes, champion flexible working practices and encourage shared parental leave.

These harmful stereotypes can contribute to an environment within which violence and sexual harassment against women can take place. As part of the commitment to ending violence against women and girls this work will also focus on developing ways to change negative attitudes towards women.

Published 19 November 2018

The hazard perception part of the theory test assesses the ability to spot ‘developing hazards’. These are things that would cause drivers to take action, like changing speed or direction.

In the theory test, you have to spot developing hazards in 14 video clips. You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.

Find out more about how the hazard perception test works

The clips now include scenarios including driving in:

• fog
• rain
• snow and ice
• wind

Some new clips also show driving at night and in low-light conditions, like dawn and dusk.

These new clips will also be added to:

• motorcycle theory tests from December 2018
• lorry, bus and coach theory tests from early 2019
• approved driving instructor (ADI) part 1 tests and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) enhanced rider scheme trainer theory tests from early 2019

Watch example clips

Watch examples of the types of clips that have been introduced.

Driving in snow

Clip

Driving in rain

Clip

Driving at night

Clip

Why the new types of clips are being introduced

The Department for Transport’s reported road casualties report for 2017 shows that 16,406 accidents happened in rain, sleet, snow or fog. Of those, 205 accidents were fatal.

It’s vital that learner drivers can spot developing hazards and take appropriate action. It’s particularly important in more challenging conditions, and where the stopping distance is longer than dry roads.

In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads. In icy or snowy weather, it can be as much as 10 times greater.

Find out more about driving in bad weather

Hazard perception testing leads to a reduction in collisions

Research from the Department for Transport (PDF, 1.1MB) has shown that hazard perception training and testing could account for an 11% reduction in collisions, potentially saving hundreds of lives every year.

Jesse Norman, Road Safety Minister, said:

The UK has some of the safest roads in the world, but we’re always looking for ways to make them safer.

These new hazard perception clips offer more realistic driving conditions to test a learner driver’s ability, preparing them for overcoming the real-life challenges they will face on the road – something that should benefit all road users.

Mark Winn, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Chief Driving Examiner, said:

DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

Every year too many people are injured on our roads by hazards frequently encountered by drivers and we are determined to do more.

We know the theory test helps saves lives, so we are using computer-generated imagery (CGI) clips to further improve road safety.

Practice apps and software are still relevant

Any products you’ve been using to help you practise the hazard perception part of the test are still relevant.

You do not need to have practised with clips featuring different weather conditions to take and pass the test.

Find out how to practise and revise