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’s anticipated opening.
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.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) 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 stations closed during 1941 and since then, the line has been used only by freight and non-stop through-services.
Three stations, Kings Heath, Pineapple Road, and Moseley Village on 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.
The 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.
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.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands chair of both the WMCA and WMRE, said: “The 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.
“And how fitting that the original station sign will also be making a long-awaited return – once again taking up its rightful pride of place on the new Kings Heath station.
“A 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’re 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.”
Cllr Liz Clements, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “The return of the Kings Heath sign is a big step towards restoring the community’s history and illustrates the station’s vibrant future.
“The 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.”
Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Walsall Council, added: “Rail travel has a major role to play in our efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Birmingham.
“The upcoming opening of Kings Heath, Mosely, and Pineapple Road stations signifies substantial progress towards creating a network that prioritises both environmental sustainability and economic connectivity.
“The Camp Hill line will be the catalyst for further regeneration and investment in the Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley areas.”
Commuters will enjoy quicker journeys to Birmingham New Street from these new stations, with Kings Heath reaching the city centre in just 11 minutes.
Each station will have 2 platforms suitable for 6-car trains as well as:
stairs and lifts
ticket machines and information systems
passenger help points on each platform
bike parking
The Kings Heath Station signal box, with the original sign in 1969 can be viewed here.
For more information about the Camp Hill Line, visit the WMRE website
Photo credit: Transport for West Midlands
