Category Archives: West Midlands Combined Authority

Reimagining Transport in the West Midlands

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Transport for West Midlands are updating their Local Transport Plan and want to hear the views of Stirchley residents.

The Local Transport Plan is a document that sets out how they are reimagining transport in the West Midlands. The plan includes a core strategy that sets out the aims, vision and overarching approach to build a transport system that will help everyone thrive in a 45 minute region of 15 minute neighbourhoods.

From this, Transport for West Midlands have created six Big Moves with each move laying out key principles, policies and in some cases the specific interventions that will help achieve goals under a key area of action.

Transport for West Midlands want to make sure that their plans work for Birmingham residents. so they will be running a public consultation until 17 April 2023. 

To let TfWM know your thoughts on the six Big Moves and for more information, please visit www.tfwm.org.uk/bigmoves

Extended hours of work on Pineapple Road Station

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There will be a closure of the railway line between 25th March to 3rd April to allow for 24-hour working on the new Pineapple Road station.

VolkerFitzpatrick will use this time to carry out work that can only be done while the railway line is closed. This includes things like as pouring concrete to create the platform foundations and starting to install platform units.

The closure of the line will also be an opportunity to remove significant volumes of excavated soil by train. This will minimise the number of muck-away lorries needed, reducing the impact of construction work on local roads.

Work has been carefully planned to reduce disruption as much as possible. Measures will be in place to monitor and reduce any noise. Lighting will be directed away from neighbouring areas.

To receive updates about West Midlands Rail Executive station projects, visit wmre.org.uk/wmrpnewsletter and sign up to the newsletter.

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.

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

Camp Hill Line Community Engagement Sessions

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Artist’s impression of the Pineapple Road station

Transport for West Midlands are holding a series of community engagement sessions about the soon-to-reopen Camp Hill train line, including one in Stirchley.

Moseley Village, Kings Heath, and Pineapple Road stations will reopen as part of the Camp Hill line returning to use as a commuter line. Each station will have two platforms, lifts, ticket machines, information screens, and secure bike parking. The Moseley Village and Pineapple Road stations will also have a pick-up and drop-off area.

At the engagement sessions, residents will have the opportunity to meet members of the team building the stations and ask any questions. All of the events will cover all three stations so people can choose the date and time that is most convenient for them. The sessions are drop-in session with those registered able to turn up at any time in the two hour period. However, it is advised not to arrive less than 15 minutes before the end.

The engagement sessions are taking place at;