SOUTH Birmingham’s three new railway stations are now open and have welcomed their first passengers.
Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road (Stirchley) opened their doors to the public for the first time yesterday (Tuesday).
From Kings Norton, it takes around three minutes to get to Pineapple Road, six minutes to reach Kings Heath and eight minutes to arrive at Moseley Village before the services go on to Birmingham.
The trio make up the Camp Hill Line, providing passengers with a direct rail link between the three areas and Birmingham city centre for the first time in over 80 years.
The stations and services are operated by West Midlands Railway (WMR). They connect passengers to Birmingham New Street and Kings Norton. The line is served by WMR’s newest diesel fleet, the Class 196s, which first entered service in 2022.
The three new stations feature sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, passenger help points on each platform and secure cycle racks. The stations at Pineapple Road and Moseley Village also have pick-up and drop-off areas.
The historic Camp Hill Line was closed in 1941 during the Second World War due to coal shortages, with each new station built on its original site.
What the three stations offer
The platform at Kings Heath. s
Pineapple Road – This takes passengers to the vibrant Stirchley area – billed as one of the best places to live in the Midlands and boasting the ‘Stirchley Beer Mile’ and craft and real ale establishments. There are also artisan bakeries and community activities at the historic Stirchley Baths.
Kings Heath – The area boasts one of Birmingham’s most popular high streets, along with the legendary Hare and Hounds music venue, two peaceful Victorian parks and a variety of independent boutiques to browse.
Moseley Village – In the heart of Birmingham’s bohemian quarter, Moseley Village Station allows passengers to visit award-winning farmers markets, explore JRR Tolkien’s inspiration at Moseley Bog and enjoy the Michelin star dining scene.
Links to Redditch
From Redditch, on the Cross City Line, it takes around 27 minutes to get to Kings Norton, where passengers can change to get on the Camp Hill Line.
It means, feasibly, people could get from Redditch, depending on connection times, to Pineapple Road (Stirchley) in around 32 minutes, Kings Heath in around 45 minutes and Moseley Village in around 50 minutes.
Pineapple Road Station (Stirchley). s
‘So excited’ – West Midlands Railway
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for WMR 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, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, 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.”
When the services run
The train service runs every half an hour Monday-Saturday and hourly on Sundays. The first train to call at the new stations was the 0627 southbound departure from Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton yesterday.
Construction and Network Rail
The construction project was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick and led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the West Midlands Rail Executive, in partnership with WMR, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and the Department for Transport.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail Central route director, 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.”
To find out more about the Camp Hill Line, visit the WMR website.
