Highways Agency finishes move into Birmingham Cube

The Highways Agency was today completing its move into the £100 million Cube building in Birmingham.

It will see office functions transferred to the landmark 23-storey building from its base at Five Ways. The agency has taken around half of the commercial office space in there and once the building is fully occupied it will house around 3,000 people.

The building was designed by Ken Shuttleworth, the man behind London's famous Gherkin building.

The new offices next to Birmingham's Mailbox were due to be opened by Graham Dalton, chief executive of the agency.

He said: "The Highways Agency's decision to move to new offices at The Cube comes as the Agency shifts its focus onto the implementation of modern working methods.

"The Cube not only offers high quality, sustainable office space which supports our people and provides them with the best tools for the job but also offers excellent value for money and will contribute to a reduction in overall costs rather than an increase.

"Moving to smaller and more appropriate accommodation in the city centre reflects the Agency's drive to achieve the highest levels of efficiency. The relocation will also be achieved within a year-on-year reduction in our administration costs."

The official opening was due to be performed by Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council.

The Cube has been dogged by problems and the project was forced into administration in March.

By Daniel Wainwright