A station to be proud of; EDITORIAL FEATURE IN ASSOCIATION WITH NATIONAL EXPRESS.AS commuters await the unveiling of a new National Express Coach Station, Stuart Parker from the group tells PATRICE JOHN why the glass roof will have a greener hue. It's been a long time coming, but finally the new coach station that provides a gateway to the city is set to open. National Express invested pounds 8.6 million redeveloping the 5,000 square metre Noun 1. square metre - a centare is 1/100th of an are centare, square meter area unit, square measure - a system of units used to measure areas site in Digbeth. But director of property Stuart Parker claimed they've done so while making the site as energy effi-cient as possible, and it's been a real achievement. "This is something that is a real personal achievement as far as I'm concerned," Mr Parker says. "There have been a lot of false starts while creating a new station but it's a real achievement to see it at this stage. "We faced some hardships, especially when the construction partner Ashfords went under but the National Express board remained committed to giving Birmingham a first-class coach station. "When you consider the economic climate, that is really something to be proud of and we're glad we've been able to produce a greener station. "We want to show that coach travel is still one of the greenest ways to travel and we are committed to that." They are also committed to providing a better experience for commuters who want to use their services. The new station has an airy air·y adj. air·i·er, air·i·est 1. Of, relating to, or having the constitution of air. 2. High in the air; lofty. 3. Open to the air: airy chambers. 4. concourse, is temperature controlled, includes energy-efficient lighting and is designed to make the most of natural light, heating and ventilation to reduce the amount of energy needed to power the building. There will be rainwater harvesting Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rain from roofs or from a surface catchment for future use. The water is generally stored in rainwater tanks or directed into mechanisms which recharge groundwater. for use in toilets on site, sensors to switch on and off lights as people need them, a green sedum sedum: see stonecrop. sedum Any of about 600 species of succulent plants that make up the genus Sedum, in the stonecrop, or orpine, family (Crassulaceae), native to temperate zones and to mountains in the tropics. roof to increase insulation and reduce water run off and the group now uses a green energy supplier. Mr Parker says: "We did lots of things but we wanted to put in the green roof as it is proven to help with ecology in cities. "We believe there will be Black Redstart The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher (Muscicapidae). birds attracted to the building as well. The roof will also help conserve energy on site." The new station is set to open at the start of December. CAPTION(S): Parker of National Express. |
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