Birmingham reopens local stations

Three new stations in south Birmingham reopened to passengers on April 7, putting local trains back on the Camp Hill Line for the first time since 1941. (tfwm.org.uk) The stations are Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road, and West Midlands Railway said they connect riders with Birmingham New Street and Kings Norton. The first stopping service was the 6:27 a.m. southbound train from Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton. (news.wmtrains.co.uk) West Midlands Railway said trains run every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. The operator added that the line is worked by its Class 196 diesel trains, which entered service in 2022. (news.wmtrains.co.uk) Transport for West Midlands said the original stations shut in 1941 during World War II because of coal shortages. Each of the three new stations was built on the site of its historic predecessor. (tfwm.org.uk) The agency said south Birmingham’s population and commercial activity grew after the wartime closure, while road congestion and journey times worsened. It estimates trips to Birmingham New Street now take about 8 minutes from Moseley Village, 11 minutes from Kings Heath and 14 minutes from Pineapple Road. (tfwm.org.uk) Transport for West Midlands said those rail trips cut between 7 and 21 minutes from Moseley Village journeys, 9 and 24 minutes from Kings Heath journeys, and 16 and 31 minutes from Pineapple Road journeys. The new stations have two platforms for 6-car trains, plus footbridges, stairs, lifts, ticket machines, help points and secure bike parking. (tfwm.org.uk) Pineapple Road and Moseley Village also have pick-up and drop-off areas, while Transport for West Midlands said Kings Heath’s original station sign was bought back, restored and reinstalled at the new entrance. (tfwm.org.uk) The project was led by Transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Rail Executive, with VolkerFitzpatrick as construction contractor and partners including Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Transport and West Midlands Railway. VolkerFitzpatrick said the funding package included £36 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority, £20 million from the Department for Transport and £5 million from Birmingham City Council’s clean air zone fund. (news.wmtrains.co.uk) (volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk) The reopening also fits into a wider West Midlands rail build-out. West Midlands Railway said the Camp Hill stations and the recently opened Willenhall and Darlaston stations are part of its network expansion in spring 2026. (westmidlandsrailway.co.uk) After 85 years without local stops, the line is again carrying passengers from Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley into central Birmingham on a regular timetable. (tfwm.org.uk)