To make way for a new station at Stirchley on the Camp Hill Line in south Birmingham, a former bathroom showroom building has been knocked down.
The bathroom showroom was originally the ticket office for Hazelwell station on the Camp Hill Line, but closed in 1941 and has until recently been used as a bathroom showroom and shop.
The station, named Pineapple Road, is one of three currently under construction on the Camp Hill Line. The others are at Moseley Village and Kings Heath, and together they will bring back passenger services to this part of south Birmingham for the first time in over 80 years. The station's name of Pineapple Road was selected from three options put forward after consultation with local residents last year.
The showroom building has been pulled down to provide space for the station forecourt, cycle rack, and car drop-off area, and to allow step-free access to the new platforms.
The historic footbridge from the original Hazelwell station is being retained and as part of a commitment to local heritage a Victorian brick wall bordering the site the team will be preserved and restored as it is locally listed as part of a neighbouring 1890s arts and crafts style house. To allow foundation works to take place on the new platform, the wall will be cleaned of vegetation and dismantled brick by brick, then cleaned of graffiti before being rebuilt.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority Chair, said: “We're now starting to see these new stations take shape. This building demolition is yet another sign of progress as the Camp Hill line opens to passengers once again.
“Local people and businesses quite rightly want to see the Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road stations up and running as soon as possible. That's why we're pressing ahead despite all of the challenges facing the construction sector globally – focused on all the benefits to come as these stations will ease traffic congestion, reduce car reliance and improve quality of life for residents in the months and years ahead.”
Cllr Brigid Jones, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio holder for inclusive communities, said: “Clearing this building is a major milestone on the way to getting our new station built and passenger services running to Pineapple Road for the first time since the Second World War.
“Opening up new stations can play a key role in improving our environment by offering an alternative to the car and helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve the air we breathe.”
Cllr Mary Locke, who represents Stirchley and is vice-chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority's transport delivery committee, said: “Access to a fast and frequent rail service into Birmingham city centre will make such a difference to the people of Stirchley which is why we are overjoyed to see the spades in the ground and progress on site after many years waiting for the station to reopen.
“This will make a huge difference to businesses and communities along the route.”
NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
The headline “Historic station building torn down” would surely be more appropriate.
People who don’t like the name Pineapple Road will have to get used to it once the new station is completed.
Before it was a bathroom showroom the old building at stirchley station used to belong to a fence company in the sixties and seventies . Called arkle fencing. I used to work there . The boss was called Ernie arkle. I worked with dickie ford. My name is Barry Nicholls.
Why couldn’t the old station building be repurchased as…. a railway station?