The
launch


of
a
new
train
service
in
Birmingham
has
been
delayed,
because
the
stations
will
not
be
ready
before
2024.

The
Camp
Hill
line,
which
will
have
three
stations,
had
been
intended
to
reopen
to
passengers
this
year.

The
project
will
cost
£61
million.
This
is
being
paid
mainly
by
the
West
Midlands
Combined
Authority,
and
there
are
also
contributions
from
the
Department
for
Transport
and
Birmingham
City
Council.

The
double
track
route
between
St
Andrews
Junction,
east
of
New
Street,
and
Kings
Norton
is
open
for
freight
traffic
and
diverted
passenger
trains,
but
its
stations
were
closed
‘temporarily’
in
1941.
The
closures
were
confirmed
as
permanent
in
1946.

The
West
Midlands
Rail
Executive
says:
‘Since
then,
the
area’s
population
has
grown.
There’s
also
more
commercial
activity.
This
means
more
people
are
travelling.
This
has
led
to
traffic
congestion and
long
journey
times.’

The
three
stations
will
be
Moseley
Village,
Kings
Heath
and
Pineapple
Road
in
Stirchley,
which
are
all
being
built
by
contractor
VolkerFitzpatrick.

An
unstable
wall
near
Pineapple
Road
has
contributed
to
the
delay,
because
it
has
to
be
rebuilt
‘brick
by
brick’.
Other
problems
are
the
discovery
of
an
unrecorded
well
near
Highbury
Hall
in Kings
Heath,
and
badgers
at
Moseley.
As
a
protected
species,
their
setts
can
only
be
moved
at
certain
times
of
year.

West
Midlands
Mayor
Andy
Street
said
the
further
delay
was
‘disappointing’,
but
he
pointed
to
‘tangible
progress’
at
the
stations,
even
though
the
complete
project
will
now
take
‘a
little
while
longer’.