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Demolition begins for Pineapple Station

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Construction continues on Stirchley’s new railway station as the former bathroom showroom building is being knocked down.

Previously to being a bathroom shop, the building was previously a ticket office for Hazelwell Station, which closed in 1941. After a public vote, the name for the new station was announced as Pineapple Road station to celebrate the Pineapple estate.

The building is being pulled down to allow for the construction of a station forecourt, cycle rack, car drop off area and most crucially to allow step-free access to the new platforms. Of the original station the historic footbridge is being retained.

The station is one of three currently under construction on the Camp Hill Line (the other two being Moseley Village and Kings Heath), which is restoring passenger rail services to this part of south Birmingham for the first time in more than 80 years.

Cllr Brigid Jones, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and WMCA portfolio holder for inclusive communities, said: “Clearing this building is a major milestone on the way to getting our new station built and passenger services running to Pineapple Road for the first time since the Second World War.

“Opening up new stations can play a key role in improving our environment by offering an alternative to the car and helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve the air we breathe.”

The WMCA is providing £36 million towards the cost, with £20 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the remaining £5 million from Birmingham City Council’s clean air zone fund.  Rail industry partners include Network Rail, operator West Midlands Railway and SLC-AECOM. VolkerFitzpatrick is building the stations under contract from TfWM.

Police update about Bond St break in

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We now have some information from Bournville Police about the incident on Bond Street referred to in the Forum meeting.

‘We do know about the terrible incident and can appreciate how the incident would have made the victim feel – along with the neighbours. To keep you informed, four males have attended a property on Bond Street and proceeded to force the door open by kicking it and taking running jumps at it. On the door flinging open, the males all run away without entering. The theory behind that is it became clear to the offenders that they had the wrong address. The offenders can be seen with items in their hands whilst kicking the door. It is possible that the offenders were looking for something like a cannabis set up. 

We have done some work in the area and have not been able to locate a cannabis set up – but would ask the community to be vigilant and report any unusual comings and goings from properties – or the smell of cannabis from properties. We can then complete further work to ascertain the likelihood of a set up and deal with that.
 
The other possible option would be that they were present to steal high powered motor vehicles – however at the time (and since) there has not been any parked at that location – I would ask that members of the public ensure they use extra measures to secure their vehicles such as a steering wheel lock.
 
Since the incident, we have had neighbourhood officers in the area and conducting reassurance visits. We would all like nothing more than to get these offenders in and are working hard to achieve that.
 
As you know, policing numbers are not what we would all like and we are having to do more with less. Unfortunately we cannot be everywhere – but where there are vulnerable members of the community we will support as a constituency. I cannot say that this won’t happen to other people in the area – but I can say that we are working our hardest to try to limit it.’

Stirchley Ward quarterly meeting

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Councillor Mary Locke’s quarterly ward meeting is due to take place on 8th February, online.

A packed agenda includes information on retrofitting and a route to net zero, presented by Tonia Clark, principal officer at Route to Zero Carbon. There will also be an update on Pineapple Station from Hayley Bradbury from Transport for West Midlands and Phil Edwards, Assistant Director Transport & Connectivity for Birmingham City Council. The last guest speaker will be Rachel West from the Council, who will provide an update on the projects within the ward that were successful in getting Community Infrastructure Levy funding. Finally Councillor Locke will provide a Ward Plan update and there will be a chance for any other business at the end of the meeting.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 8th February at 6.30pm on Microsoft Teams via this link.

If you require more information, please contact Kay Thomas, community governance manager, via email on kay.thomas@birmingham.gov.uk

Dogpool Lane diversions and signs

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Although Dogpool Lane is not in Stirchley Ward, a lot of residents use the area and may find this information useful.

The plan shows the deterrent signage wording and locations proposed around the building works on the corner of Dogpool Lane and Pershore Road. The contractor has apologised for this matter being delayed longer than all would have wished. But the signs are likely to be in place by the end of Wednesday.

Resident access signposts will be in place at Kitchener and Hobson roads, at the junctions with Pershore Road. On Dogpool Lane, these ‘resident access only’ signs will also be in place at the junctions with Cecil, Fashoda and Manilla roads as well.

This is to allow for significant redevelopment of the underused former BT brownfield site. In its place is due to be a student accommodation scheme. Overall work is expected to take 86 weeks, including a 16-week demolition phase.

January update

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Firstly, Happy New Year from the Forum Committee.

Our January meeting in on Monday 9th January at 7.30pm, Stirchley Community Church. Minutes of December meeting are on the Forum website. Last year’s Annual Report is also on the website .

Following the Agenda (below) there is an update from Cllr Locke who unfortunately cannot attend the meeting.

Agenda

for Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum meeting on Monday 9th January at Stirchley Community Church, Hazelwell Street, Stirchley

  • Apologies
  • Minutes of meeting 12th December 2022
  • Matters Arising
  • Police Update
  • Planning issues
  • Networking
  • Any other business

Next Forum meeting: Monday 13th February 2023

Update from Councillor Mary Locke

May I firstly wish all a very happy new year

My apologies for not being able to attend the January Stirchley Neighbourhood Forum. As I have another meeting which clashes.

Work is currently ongoing on Fordhouse Lane, by Severn Trent with pipe renewal. Temporary lights will be used along the road.

Also on Fordhouse Lane the land at rear of former Firework shop  The land near bus stop  has been sold. As yet no details re what will happen. The land has been cleared, and tarmacked and a metal cabin installed. Rumours say a Car lot.  Planning have not received any notice. Residents living on Pershore Road are rightly concerned as they need access.

There will be a foodbank collection in part of Stirchley on Saturday 28th January. At about 11 am.   Leaflets will be put out around the roads collecting from  Leahouse Road, Bournville Lane, Bond Street, Regent Street, and Oxford Street. 10 days before. 

The Mobile Household Recycling Centre will be on Beilby Road on Tuesday 31st January 7am until 12 noon. Leafleting will be done 7-10 days prior and also on social media.

Next Police Tasking meeting will be Saturday 28th January at Cotteridge Church 2pm.  All are welcome to attend. I am sorry to hear that Sergeant Howell is leaving this job and taking on another job within the force. I thank him for all his work and wish him well in his new career.

A drop in session is being held re Camp Hill Line in Stirchley on 1st February at Stirchley Baths 5-7 pm.

A week later on 8th February I am holding a Teams/zoom meeting if you would like to attend please email myself or Kay Thomas  kay.thomas@birmingham.gov.uk for invite and link.  On the agenda a short update on Camp Hill Line,  A briefing on retrofitting houses and also Ward Action Plan

As mentioned in Decembers forum work is planned for a jobs fair in March  details are being worked on and will be announced in due course.

If there are any queries or issues please contact office on 0121 303 2039 or email me mary.locke@birmingham.gov.uk or pass to Sandra and Rob who will contact me and I will be in touch.