Historic Camp Hill railway line reopens for first time in eighty years

Three brand-new railway stations in South Birmingham welcomed their first passengers today (7 April).

Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road (Stirchley) opened their doors to the public for the first time today. Making up the Camp Hill Line, these three stations provide passengers a direct rail link to the city centre for the first time in over 80 years.

The stations will be operated by West Midlands Railway (WMR) and 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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

To find out more about the Camp Hill Line, visit the WMR website.