Work is set to begin later this year on three new stations on the Camp Hill line in south Birmingham, but so far only one of the names has been agreed upon, that being ‘Kings Heath Station'.
In order to select the remaining names, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has decided to give residents living local to the two stations to select their favourite from a shortlist.
Three choices are available for one station, which are Hazelwell, Stirchley and Pineapple Road, and two options are available for the other station, which are Moseley and Moseley Village.
Once built, the new stations will mean that regular passenger services can return to the Camp Hill line for the first time in 80 years.
TfWM is leading the project which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair said:
“We recently announced that after much anticipation there is real progress in the return of passenger services to the Camp Hill line with the appointment of a contractor to get the stations built. Now we need locals to help us name their new stations.
“Residents have been waiting decades for their local stations to return, and so it is only right they have a say in what they will be called. I am delighted that since I was elected Mayor we have been able to press on with these plans, and I look forward to seeing diggers in the ground and what station names come out top of the survey.”
WMCA is putting £36m towards the project and the Department for Transport is providing £20m and the remaining £5m is from Birmingham City Council's clean air zone fund.
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, added:
“The reopening of the Camp Hill Line is a big step forward in our transition to a city of better public transport and is fantastic news for commuters in Stirchley and Moseley.
“I'm also delighted that revenue from the Clean Air Zone is contributing to key projects that will deliver clean air right across Birmingham, not just in the city centre.
“So, with a contractor in place ready to start building work later this year, we want the people and communities that will be using these stations to have a say in what they are called.”
Network Rail and West Midlands Railway are partnered in the Camp Hill line station and last month saw the design and construction of the station awarded to VolkerFitzpatrick by TfWM who are currently building University Station.
Locals can have their say up until the 25th of May, after which the Mayor will review the responses and select the names which will then be revealed in June.
To find out more and to take part in the survey please visit the WMRE website.
Pineapple Road station does sound good.