Milestone week keeps new Birmingham railway stations on track

A busy week on site at the Camp Hill Line stations has seen major progress - including the installation of the last of six lift shafts.

This intensive activity at Pineapple Road (Stirchley), Kings Heath, and Moseley Village stations brings the line a major step closer to completion.

And it underscores the commitment to reintroducing passenger rail services to these vibrant South Birmingham communities with the stations on track to be completed and ready to open by the end of this year.

It began with an intensive weekend of activity on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May which saw the last of six new lift shafts across the three new stations being lowered into position.

It arrived in 12 individual sections and was meticulously assembled and installed using a massive crane, marking a crucial step towards ensuring the station, along with the two others, being fully accessible.

Meanwhile, at the future Kings Heath station, construction teams made substantial headway with paving and surfacing works, while the cladding of two previously installed lift shafts started further improving the look of the station. New canopies have been installed along the platforms.

These visible markers of progress demonstrate the project's momentum, especially for a line that has been closed to passengers since 1941.

Anne Shaw, executive director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), said: "This week’s achievements are a fantastic testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the Camp Hill Line project. The new stations at Pineapple Road, Kings Heath, and Moseley Village will be truly transformative for these communities. They will unlock new opportunities, making it easier for residents to access jobs, education, and leisure across Birmingham and the wider region while taking some cars off our roads and helping to tackle congestion.

“We anticipate these stations will not only improve daily commutes but also invigorate local high streets by attracting more visitors, contributing to thriving local economies and a more connected South Birmingham."

James Hindes, managing director at VolkerFitzpatrick, added: "Our teams were exceptionally busy across the week, focusing on the installation of this key infrastructure. The successful placement of the final lift shaft at Moseley and the ongoing works at Kings Heath are critical steps.

“These elements are vital for ensuring the new stations are fully accessible from day one. There is still a great deal to do, but these milestones demonstrate our continued progress, and we remain firmly committed to having these stations complete by the end of this year."

The project is set to reintroduce passenger rail services to the Camp Hill Line for the first time since they ended during the Second World War in 1941. The opening of the three new stations – Pineapple Road serving Stirchley, Kings Heath station, and Moseley Village station – will breathe new life into a line that has been closed to passengers for over eight decades. The Camp Hill Line itself boasts a rich heritage, having originally opened in 1840 as part of the Birmingham and Gloucester railway, making it one of the oldest railway lines in the West Midlands.

The project will provide easier, faster, and more reliable access to Birmingham City Centre and the broader West Midlands region. This improved connectivity is expected to support local businesses, stimulate job creation, and help local high streets flourish.

In addition, the new stations will offer a reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to car travel, contributing to a reduction in traffic congestion, particularly on the busy Alcester Road, and a decrease in local air pollution.

The current project to reinstate passenger services is a testament to successful partnership working. It is led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE). Key partners in this collaborative effort include Birmingham City Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, and West Midlands Trains, with VolkerFitzpatrick as the principal construction delivery partner.