Birmingham New Street Station Control Room
Network Rail
Background
As an interim arrangement before the modernisation of Birmingham's New Street Station, Network Rail commissioned CCD to undertake a project to upgrade and refurbish the station control room. The control room accommodated the CCTV surveillance system for the control room as well as providing links with British Transport Police and the train operating companies.
Project
The project brief was to upgrade the control room furniture, modify the configuration of the internal spaces within the control room and some of the adjacent rooms to provide additional office space, and deliver an improvement in the overall working environment. CCD were also asked to redesign the main reception desk for the Network Rail offices at the station to improve the ergonomics, offer better security for staff and improved accessibility for disabled members of public.
Implementation
CCD's design accommodated a new main desk arrangement in the control room for the monitoring of the station's CCTV system. A new room layout included work positions for British Transport Police and the train operating companies. CCD re-designed the internal space for the control room providing a new mess / rest room for staff, a space for meetings, a first aid room and a new office for the Station Manager.
CCD also redesigned the reception area for the office suite. The refurbishment of the space would provide a more attractive and welcoming environment for members of the public as well as improving the working conditions for staff. A new reception desk was designed accommodating IT equipment, providing accessibility for disabled staff and the public. The desk also had to address personal security issues. CCD was able to demonstrate the design using SAMMIE CAD visualisation.
Outcome
CCD was able to deliver an effective and workable design through its early consultation with end users and fast iterative approach to the design process. There were a number of constraints on the project as significant investment was not provided due to future plans to remodel the whole station - but CCD's work was effective in providing a short term improvement in the environment and work space for staff.