An original wooden station nameboard from one of the oldest stations in the West Midlands, has been acquired by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in order to be displayed at the new Kings Heath station, when it reopens to passenger trains for the first time in over 80 years.
The Birmingham and Gloucester railway built the original line in 1840. The intermediate stations along the Camp Hill section to Lifford remained open for just over 100 years before being closed by the LMS in January 1941.
Since then, only freight services and non-stop express trains have used the line. The signal box to which the wooden sign was originally attached, remained operational for a further 38 years before its closure in September 1969.
The sign was removed and has since been in private ownership until the start of this year, when it was bought by TfWM as a symbolic relic from the original station on the site.
Councillor David Barker, Ward of Brandwood and Kings Heath, Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, and Councillor Liz Clements, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for transport, took delivery of the historic Kings Heath Station sign.
Kings Heath station is one of two original stations that are due to reopen on the Camp Hill line, the other being Moseley Village, with an additional new station at Pineapple Road.
Working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Network Rail & West Midlands Trains, all the stations are part of the West Midlands Rail Programme (WMRP) which is being led by TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
A total of just over £20m has been invested at each of the three new-build stations, making an overall total of £61m spent on this project.
All the stations will be fitted with modern lifts, digital arrival & departure boards, passenger information and help points, self service ticket machines, and secure bike parking bays, along with two platforms capable of handling six coach trains.
The new stations will enable faster journey times and offer new transport options to those living in the southeast of Birmingham.
It is estimated journey times will be 11 minutes quicker by train from Kings Heath compared to driving along the A435 which can get congested especially at peak times.
The trains will also be greener and contribute to West Midlands target ambition to be Carbon Neutral by 2041.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands chair of both the WMCA and WMRE, said: “The people of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley have waited decades for the return of passenger services on the Camp Hill line, but that long wait will soon be over. And how fitting that the original station sign will also be making a long-awaited return – once again taking up its rightful pride of place on the new Kings Heath station.
Cllr Liz Clements, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Transport said: “The return of the Kings Heath sign is a big step towards restoring the community's history and illustrates the station's vibrant future. The reopening of the Camp Hill line is a project we are proud to support with funding from the Clean Air Zone net surplus revenue. Re-opening the Camp Hill line is a vital part of building an integrated, multi-modal transport network in Birmingham and of the delivery of the transformational Birmingham Transport Plan.”
Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Walsall Council, added: “Rail travel has a major role to play in our efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Birmingham. “The upcoming opening of Kings Heath, Mosely, and Pineapple Road stations signifies substantial progress towards creating a network that prioritises both environmental sustainability and economic connectivity. The Camp Hill line will be the catalyst for further regeneration and investment in the Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley areas.”
When does it actually open.