Birmingham trains: contractors shortlisted to build rail stations at Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley

Transport for West Midlands has shortlisted contractors to build three new railway stations on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham.

The £61 million project will see Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell (in Stirchley) stations constructed and ready to welcome passengers for the first time since the Second World War.

The stations will slash travel times for commuters, with people travelling from Hazelwell being able to reach the city centre in 14 minutes during peak times, which would currently take 45 minutes by car.

The Camp Hill line is currently only used by freight or through services. Clearance work has already started at Moseley and construction work is due to start next year.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has officially invited shortlisted firms to tender for the contract which is due to be awarded in Spring.

Funding for the stations was agreed earlier this year with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) providing £36 million towards the cost, £20 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the remaining £5 million from Birmingham City Council’s clean air zone fund.

What have the authorities said about the latest step in opening up the Camp Hill train line?

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is leading the project which will offer the residents of south Birmingham an alternative to the traffic jams on Alcester Road for their city centre commute.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “With the funding in place, planning permissions granted, and some of the essential clearance work completed, I am delighted that we can now press ahead to find a contractor to get these three new stations on the Camp Hill line built.

“The residents of Moseley, Kings Heath, and Stirchley have waited far too long for a return of rail services, and that is why I have been so determined to make it happen.

“Once we find our contractor it will be full steam ahead to get these stations built and ready to welcome passengers on the line for the first time in 80 years.”

Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “Investment in rail services is key to meeting the climate challenge and achieving our ambitions for a net-zero carbon region,  improving the air quality in our towns and cities in the process.

“The communities along the Camp Hill line have waited a long time to see these stations being built and will be encouraged to see progress being made with the first spades in the ground next year.”

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