Reports are in regarding the progress of three new stations being built for Birmingham's Camp Hill Line.
Kings Heath and Pineapple Road stations are reported to have a great deal of the structural work completed with platforms for both well underway and the site of Moseley Village station will soon see contractors able to gain full access in order to allow structural work to get underway prior to the building of its platforms.
Once open, the line will provide vital connectivity to residents with a fast and environmentally friendly travel option when making journeys into the centre of Birmingham.
The line will provide customers with a viable alternative to using a car, which will bring a reduction in traffic congestion and will support the region's transport and environmental aims.
Birmingham City Council is funding £5 million for the development of the project via the city's centre's clean air zone.
The project is extremely complex and has seen contractors meet several challenges, such as:
- An unstable wall at the Pineapple Road site, which bordered a listed building, led to its rebuild carried out with great care, handled brick by brick.
- A historic unrecorded Victorian well was discovered on the Kings Heath site, which connected to Highbury Hall and called for a redesign.
- Protected species were discovered at Moseley, which can only be moved at specific periods each year.
Further challenges also face the huge project, such as ongoing supply chain issues, concerns regarding inflation alongside the halting of building for critical engineering work. Because of these additional issues, it is now expected that the line will open in late 2024 despite the majority of construction work being complete during early 2024. However, work is underway to try and improve this target opening date.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“After more than 70 years without a train service, people in Kings Heath, Moseley, and Stirchley can see the progress that is being made – the ground has been strengthened, platforms and stations are taking shape, and we have already carried out timetable testing runs on the line.”
“It is of course disappointing that it will take a little longer than we previously planned to get the line open, but with our contractors and partners we are working tirelessly to look at options to reduce that timescale and bring the benefits of the Camp Hill line as soon as possible.”
“Once open, people will have the option of swapping their journey along the busy Alcester Road for a convenient and quick train ride, and the city will enjoy the benefits of the Camp Hill line train services for generations to come.”
A partnership between Birmingham Council, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway and Department for Transport has been formed for the project and all are focused on getting the stations finished as soon as possible.
Cllr Liz Clements, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for transport, said:
“It's good to see the construction is underway, and this infrastructure is vital if we are to get people to leave their cars at home and use sustainable green alternatives, including public transport, walking and cycling.
“This is a perfect example of investing in clean air with the council's £5m contribution coming from Clean Air Zone net surplus revenues. I look forward to seeing the line completed and hope that any further delays can be kept to a minimum by TfWM so that Birmingham residents can start to experience the transformational impact of the Camp Hill line.”
Neil Gaskin, programme director for Network Rail's Central route, said:
“These stations unlock the railway to three vibrant communities in Birmingham, which will bring benefits and opportunities to thousands of people and businesses. They will be worth the wait and we will continue to work with our partners to support them opening as soon as possible.”
Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and Walsall Council leader said:
“This is just one part of our unprecedented investment in our rail, tram, bus and cycling infrastructure across the region.”
“Improving our transport connections is crucial to growing our economy, opening up new opportunities for people and creating a fairer and greener West Midlands.”
On completion, each of the three stations will feature:
- Two platforms
- Pedestrian footbridges
- Stairs and lifts
- Ticket machines
- Information systems
- Passenger help points on each platform.
The project also supports the local community by providing well-paid skilled construction jobs alongside the project contractor Volker Fitzpatrick, working with both local schools and communities for the design of site hoardings.
