Dismay as station escapes 'worst' list.

BUSINESS leaders have expressed "amazement" that Birmingham International railway station has not been listed as one of the worst in the country.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was dismayed that the gateway, which serves the city's international airport and the National Exhibition Centre, had not made it onto a list of 10 stations in need of urgent improvement.

The list, compiled by Stations Champions Sir Peter Hall and Chris Green, included seven stations in the North West but none in the West Midlands.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Birmingham International, which opened in 1976, helped to form lasting opinions, but for all of the wrong reasons.

"Rather than a welcoming major gateway as it was designed to be, it is now operated as a bland Parkway Station for those heading to London," Mr Blackett added.