A late-night passenger at Birmingham New Street station captured startling footage of a rat running loose across the main concourse.
Midnight Sighting Near Platform Three
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 29, shortly after midnight. Johnjeet Singh, a 25-year-old from Walsall, was waiting on platform three for a train to Birmingham International when he spotted the creature.
"I'd picked up some food from Tim Hortons, I was about to eat it and I was (like), 'What is this running across?'" he told BirminghamLive. The passenger, who filmed a two-minute clip, said the rodent had emerged from near the Starbucks outlet, which was closed at the time.
Rodent's Dash Across Empty Station
The video shows the rat scurrying across the floor of the largely empty station. Mr Singh added that the "maddest thing" was witnessing a cleaner operating a sweeping vehicle nearby, seemingly unaware of the animal.
The clip concludes with the rodent disappearing into a hole in the end wall of the station, close to some handrails. Reflecting on the encounter, Johnjeet Singh remarked, "We grew up in Birmingham and you see it on a regular basis, it is mad."
Network Rail's Response on Pest Control
Both Network Rail, which operates the major transport hub, and Starbucks were approached for comment. A spokesperson for Network Rail acknowledged the challenge.
"Birmingham New Street station faces the same challenges as other inner-city buildings and is open to the elements at both ends of every platform," they stated.
The spokesperson emphasised that keeping pests out of public areas is a priority, detailing a two-pronged approach: "We have regular proactive pest control management throughout the building all year round. This is backed up by a reactive service, which is used when we have specific incidents such as this."
