New footbridge craned into place overnight in major milestone for Birmingham rail route

Construction on the new Kings Heath railway station reached another major milestone this weekend as a massive crane worked overnight to install a new pedestrian footbridge above the tracks.

The impressive operation took place overnight on Saturday and Sunday (21 and 22 June), in which the pre-fabricated footbridge was carefully lifted into place. It marks the latest progress on the multi-million-pound development of three new stations on the Camp Hill Line in south Birmingham.

Images released today by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), showcase the precision and scale of the engineering feat involved in bringing the new stations closer to completion.

The new pedestrian footbridge, which will allow future rail passengers to change platforms at Kings Heath, is a vital part of the ongoing work to build the three new stations at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road, and restore passenger rail services to the line for the first time since the Second World War.

This programme is being delivered by TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), working with partners including Network Rail and West Midlands Railway.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: "These stations will offer a fast, reliable and affordable alternative to the often-slow moving traffic on the Alcester Road. They will transform the daily commute to work or college for thousands of local people.

“The return of rail services will also encourage more people to go and experience the vibrancy of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley, directly boosting trade for local businesses and fostering community and economic growth.

“That’s why we are working around the clock to get these stations finished and open to the public.”

Anne Shaw, executive director of TfWM, added: "This footbridge is crucial for ensuring pedestrian safety and its installation brings us significantly closer to restoring passenger services to the Camp Hill Line – this will be a game-changer for these communities.”

Once complete, the new stations will offer residents in south Birmingham a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to car travel – reducing pollution and improving air quality. Journey times into Birmingham New Street are expected to be around 10-15 minutes, offering a significant improvement for commuters and visitors alike.

James Hindes, managing director at VolkerFitzpatrick, which is building the station for TfWM, said: "The successful overnight installation of this footbridge is a testament to the collaborative efforts and expertise of our team. Logistically, lifting such a large structure into position within a tight overnight window requires meticulous planning, precise execution, and robust safety protocols.

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement, and it underscores our commitment to delivering these vital new stations to the highest standards, benefiting the West Midlands for decades to come."

Work on the new drop-off area outside Moseley Village Station will involve some changes to the road layout in St Mary’s Row. Work on this is due to start in mid-July and full details are available on the TfWM website.

Pictured: Installation of a pedestrian footbridge at the new Kings Heath railway station