Camp Hill Line reborn as Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley get stations back

Three new railway stations in South Birmingham have opened to passengers for the first time, restoring rail services to communities that have been without them for decades.

Moseley Village railway station, Kings Heath railway station and Pineapple Road (Stirchley) railway station officially welcomed their first यात्रियों on 7 April, forming part of the revived Camp Hill Line. The reopening provides a direct rail connection into Birmingham city centre for the first time in more than 80 years.

Operated by West Midlands Railway, the new stations link into services running between Birmingham New Street railway station and Kings Norton railway station. The route is served by the Class 196 diesel trains, which entered service in 2022.

Each station has been equipped with modern facilities including sheltered platforms, step-free access via lifts, help points and secure cycle storage. Moseley Village and Pineapple Road also feature designated pick-up and drop-off areas.

The Camp Hill Line itself has historic roots, having been closed to passenger services in 1941 during the Second World War due to coal shortages. The new stations have been constructed on or near their original sites.

Jonny Wiseman said:

“We are so excited to officially open these transformative new stations in South Birmingham, bringing rail services back to local communities for the first time in 80 years. With services as fast as ten minutes from Moseley to New Street, we know this will be a real gamechanger for local residents, whether they’re commuting, visiting family and friends, or travelling for leisure. We are delighted to welcome passengers on board from today.”

Sandeep Shingadia said:

"These vibrant neighbourhoods of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley have waited 85 years for a direct rail link to the heart of Birmingham — today, that has changed. Restoring passenger services to the Camp Hill line isn’t just about shorter journey times. It’s about easing congestion on our roads, cutting carbon emissions and opening up new economic opportunities across the region.”

Denise Wetton said:

“We are delighted to have supported with the return of these stations to the rail network, which marks an important moment for our local communities. The railway has a unique role in connecting communities to places and opportunities, supports regeneration, and drives economic growth. Delivered in partnership, this is another important step as part of a wider programme of transformative projects that are improving the railway across the West Midlands, creating a network that better supports passengers now and into the future.”

Services on the line will run every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday, with an hourly service on Sundays. The first train to call at the stations was the 06:27 departure from Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton.

The project was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick and led by Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, alongside the West Midlands Rail Executive, in partnership with West Midlands Railway, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and the Department for Transport.

Image: West Midlands Railway