The Queen opens New Street station and names a tram

The Queen has officially opened the transformed Birmingham New Street station, and named one of the city's new Metro trams, on a visit to Birmingham with the Duke of Edinburgh on 19 November.

It was the Queen's first visit to New Street in more than 60 years on the throne.

A royal seal of approval

The Queen and the Duke toured the station's new concourse, which opened to passengers in September after a five-year, £750 million redevelopment. She unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening, watched by staff, passengers and dignitaries.

The rebuilt station has a huge new concourse under a domed atrium, a gleaming stainless steel exterior and new entrances, replacing the dark 1960s station that was regularly voted one of the worst in the country.

A new tram

The royal couple then went to Bull Street, where the Queen named one of the new trams that will soon run through the city centre. She then took a short ride on the tram.

The new trams, built by the Spanish company CAF, have been replacing the Metro's original fleet since last year. Work is nearing completion on the extension of the line from Snow Hill through the city centre, and trams are due to start running on the first section, to Bull Street, next month. The line will later be extended to New Street station.

Crowds

Crowds gathered outside the station and along the route to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors. For the rail staff who kept trains running through five years of building work, the visit was a chance to celebrate the finished station.

The biggest station outside London

New Street is the busiest station in the country outside London, with around 140,000 passengers a day. The old station was built for far fewer, and overcrowding had become a serious problem.

The redevelopment was carried out while the station stayed open, with trains running throughout. The first half of the new concourse opened in 2013, and the complete concourse opened on 20 September this year, along with the Grand Central shopping centre above, anchored by a new John Lewis store.

The Queen and Birmingham

The Queen has visited Birmingham many times during her reign, opening buildings including the International Convention Centre in 1991 and meeting people at hospitals, schools and community projects across the city.

For the city, the visit was a proud moment, and a recognition of the transformation of one of its most important buildings. Civic leaders said the new station gives Birmingham the gateway it deserves, and a much better first impression for the millions of people who pass through it every year.