Historic Camp Hill railway line reopens for first time in 80 years
Three new railway stations in South Birmingham welcomed their first passengers yesterday – making up the Camp Hill Line.
Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road (Stirchley) opened their doors to the public yesterday, providing passengers a direct rail link to the city centre for the first time in over 80 years.
The stations will be operated by West Midlands Railway (WMR) and connect passengers to Birmingham New Street and Kings Norton.
The line is served by WMR’s newest diesel fleet, the Class 196s, which first entered service in 2022.
The three new stations feature sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, passenger help points on each platform and secure cycle racks.
The stations at Pineapple Road and Moseley Village also have pick-up and drop-off areas.
The historic Camp Hill Line was closed in 1941 during the Second World War due to coal shortages, with each new station built on its original site.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for WMR, said: “We are so excited to officially open these transformative new stations in South Birmingham, bringing rail services back to local communities for the first time in 80 years.
“With services as fast as ten minutes from Moseley to New Street, we know this will be a real gamechanger for local residents, whether they’re commuting, visiting family and friends, or travelling for leisure. We are delighted to welcome passengers on board from today.”
Sandeep Shingadia, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, said: “These vibrant neighbourhoods of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley have waited 85 years for a direct rail link to the heart of Birmingham - today, that has changed.
“Restoring passenger services to the Camp Hill line isn’t just about shorter journey times. It’s about easing congestion on our roads, cutting carbon emissions and opening up new economic opportunities across the region.”
The train service runs every half an hour Monday-Saturday and hourly on Sundays.
The first train to call at the new stations was the 0627 southbound departure from Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton.
The construction project was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick and led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the West Midlands Rail Executive, in partnership with WMR, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and the Department for Transport.
