Overview

In comparison to Birmingham New Street Station (370 metres away), which reminded me of a space station, Moor Street feels like it's from another time. It has a more quaint charm, with 1930s styling, red brick and gilt signage. I could easily imagine it in black and white, with steam trains and teary couples saying goodbye on the platform. Though in many ways, it’s quite modern, with a coffee shop, bar, and accessible toilet on site.

Transport & Parking

The station has a taxi rank just outside on Moor Street Queensway. I spotted several wheelchair accessible taxis during my visit, though availability will vary throughout the day. There are also bus stops a bit downhill on Moor Street, with services including the 50 Platinum, 50A, 17, and 60. If you're driving, there are two nearby car parks: The Bullring Centre Car Park has 1,015 spaces, with 28 accessible parking spaces and 19 family spaces. This car park has EV charging facilities, and if you’re heading into the Bullring, there’s also a Shopmobility service available. Moor Street Car Park has 1,195 spaces, with 78 accessible parking spaces and 68 family spaces. This one also has EV charging facilities.

Access

Moor Street Station has both level and stairway access. The stairs are bright and colourful, with a central grab rail and tactile paving at the top and bottom. Access to the station is sloped, going uphill on Moor Street and downhill on Moor Street Queensway. There are four active platforms at the station. Accessible ticket gates are available and should accommodate most mobility devices and scooters. The ticket office, located next to WH Smith, has a lowered counter and an induction loop. Induction loops are also fitted on the platforms, along with tactile paving at the edges and a few benches. The waiting area is a bit more comfortable if you prefer to sit somewhere other than the platform. The ticket machines are reachable from a seated height, with access features built in. You can condense the display so it's lower on the screen, and it has a hearing loop. If you have time between trains, there is a bar and a coffee shop where you can grab a drink or something quick to eat. Between platforms 1 and 2, there is a lift with Braille buttons and an audible announcer. The controls are within reach for wheelchair users. There is no mirror in this lift. Station signage is clear, but given the size of the station, that isn't hard. The departure board is on the concourse.

Toilets

The accessible toilet is located in the waiting area between platforms 2 and 3. It requires a RADAR key to access, and the door opens outwards. There’s space for a left-side transfer to the toilet seat, but this is obstructed by a sanitary bin. It can be moved, but that’s not exactly ideal, especially from a hygiene point of view. The emergency red cord reaches the floor, which is great to see, though the plastic bangles are set quite high, so they wouldn’t be much help if you were on the floor. The toilet has a small sink with a lever-style tap, and a grab rail on the left-hand side. There are also grab rails on both sides of the toilet itself, along with a baby-changing table on the same wall. The space is large enough for a powerchair user and a second person, but it is quite a tight fit. If you need more space or equipment, there is a Changing Places toilet in the Bullring shopping centre across the street, along with several accessible toilets.

Staff

The staff were pleasant, though there was a bit of a fuss when a member of the security team noticed I was taking photos. They were polite, but advised that I needed to get consent from the booking office first. I went to the booking office, where the staff were unsure what to do and offered to email a manager on my behalf. I agreed to this, but I've yet to hear back. I can understand the security team being on alert, as their priority is the safety of visitors. However, it would have been helpful if the process for gaining consent had been clearer and more functional. Despite this, I managed to gather enough photos and notes to provide substance for this review.

Photos