‘Big moment’ for new Birmingam railway stations as passengers get a sneak peek at ahead of the official opening - here's how it went
The first passengers got a sneak peak of how services to new Birmingham railway stations will operate during a test run.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) revealed the three new Birmingham railway stations at Kings Heath, Moseley and Pineapple Road on the Camp Hill Line will open to the public on April 7.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander were among the dignitaries who were on board the Class 196 modern train as it called at the three stations on its way to Kings Norton from Birmingham New Street.
Mr Parker described the event as a ‘big moment’, adding it will be a huge boost for the areas it serves.
Trains will operate half hourly to and from Birmingham New Street Monday to Saturday and hourly on a Sunday.
The stations, along with two at Willenhall and Darlaston, were scheduled to be completed and open in 2023 but were hit with delays and soaring costs.
Construction work was completed on all five stations just before Christmas and work is currently being carried out to get the facilities ready for rail passengers.
Mr Parker said: “It’s a really big moment for the three stations on this line and the two new stations we’re opening in the Black Country.
“It’s fantastic to take a first local journey on this line for more than 80 years. It’s great and more importantly, it’s a statement about our ambition for this city and this region.
“This investment in these stations will improve connectivity for people who live in this part of the city, it will open up opportunities – particularly for young people – and it will reduce congestion on our roads.”
He added: “The estimates are this line will attract an additional one million passengers, it will improve connectivity and make a difference to people who live in this part of the city.
“The roads are really congested around here, it takes a long time to get into Birmingham by road.
“We have fantastic retail and hospitality offers here in Moseley and in Kings Heath and I think it will help the footfall on the high streets too.”
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport added: “I think these stations on the Camp Hill line will make an enormous difference for people living in Kings Heath, Moseley Village and Pineapple Road.
“I was one of the first people to step off a passenger train at Kings heath this morning for the first time.
“These stations haven’t been opened since the Second World War, we know there is congestion on local roads stuck in traffic jams.
“Having an affordable, reliable, quick route into the centre of Birmingham I think is great.
“Along with the Government’s work in freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years, bringing the train operating companies back into public ownership and renationalising the railways – we saw the good news West Midlands Trains came in on February 1 – I think that is going to create a public transport network people in Birmingham can rely on and be proud of.”
