A historic wooden sign from the original Kings Heath station which closed in the 1940s, has been returned to the site ahead of the station\u2019s anticipated opening.<\/p>\n
The original Kings Heath station provided over a century of service and was one of the oldest in the West Midlands having opened as part of the Birmingham and Gloucester railway in 1840. The station sign was located on the former signal box, which closed in September 1969, almost three decades after the station itself.<\/p>\n
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM)<\/a> has acquired the original sign from the current owner, marking as a symbolic step forward in readiness for the return of passenger services to the Camp Hill Line. The\u00a0stations closed during 1941 and since then, the line has been used only by freight and non-stop through-services.<\/p>\n Three stations,\u00a0Kings Heath, Pineapple Road, and Moseley Village\u00a0on the Camp Hill line are currently under construction, ready for the long-awaited return of passenger rail services to this part of south Birmingham after 80 years.<\/p>\n \u00a0The project is led by TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)and West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the Department of Transport, Network Rail and West Midlands Trains.<\/p>\n The stations represent will offer better transport links into central Birmingham, as well as easing congestion along the A435 Alcester Road and surrounding routes, contributing towards the #WM2041 ambition to become a carbon neutral region within the next 20 years.<\/p>\n Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands chair of both the WMCA and WMRE, said: \u201cThe people of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley have waited decades for the return of passenger services on the Camp Hill line, but that long wait will soon be over.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd how fitting that the original station sign will also be making a long-awaited return \u2013 once again taking up its rightful pride of place\u00a0on the new Kings Heath station.<\/p>\n \u201cA reopened Camp Hill line will offer people a quick and convenient connection to Birmingham city centre and the wider transport network for decades to come. By investing in our railways, we\u2019re investing in the future of our region and I look forward to seeing Kings Heath and the other Camp Hill station open at the end the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Cllr Liz Clements, Birmingham City Council\u2019s Cabinet Member for Transport said: \u201cThe return of the Kings Heath sign is a big step towards restoring the community\u2019s history and illustrates the station\u2019s vibrant future.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reopening of the Camp Hill line is a project we are proud to support with funding from the Clean Air Zone net surplus revenue. Re-opening the Camp Hill line is a vital part of building an integrated, multi-modal transport network in Birmingham and of the delivery of the transformational Birmingham Transport Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Walsall Council, added: \u201cRail travel has a major role to play in our efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Birmingham.<\/p>\n \u201cThe upcoming opening of Kings Heath, Mosely, and Pineapple Road stations signifies substantial progress towards\u00a0creating a\u00a0network that prioritises both environmental sustainability and economic connectivity.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Camp Hill line will be the catalyst for further regeneration and investment in the Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley areas.\u201d<\/p>\n Commuters will enjoy quicker journeys to Birmingham New Street from these new stations, with Kings Heath reaching the city centre in just 11 minutes.<\/p>\n Each station will have 2 platforms suitable for 6-car trains as well as:<\/p>\n stairs and lifts<\/p>\n ticket machines and information systems<\/p>\n passenger help points on each platform<\/p>\n bike parking<\/p>\n The Kings Heath Station signal box, with the original sign in 1969 can be viewed\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n