Delays to Pineapple Road station reopening

An unfortunate series of events means the Pineapple Road train station reopening to passengers will likely be delayed until the end of 2024.

An unstable wall that borders a locally listed building at Pineapple Road has had to be rebuilt brick by brick. Meanwhile, a previously undocumented Victorian well at the Kings Heath site, linked to the historic Highbury Hall, has meant a redesign of the area. Over in Moseley, badgers, who are protected species, have been discovered on the grounds and can only be moved at certain times of the year.

Despite these challenges, much of the structural work to prepare the site has now been completed at Kings Heath and Pineapple Road and the platforms are taking shape. Whilst the stations may not reopen until later, Transport for West Midlands have are of the view that most of construction work will be finished early next year.

Neil Gaskin, programme director for Network Rail’s Central Route, said: “These stations unlock the railway to three vibrant communities in Birmingham, which will bring benefits and opportunities to thousands of people and businesses. They will be worth the wait and we will continue to work with our partners to support them opening as soon as possible.”

Upcoming Bus Service Changes

cream and brown bus

Transport for West Midlands have advised of the following changes to bus routes.

No 19 bus

From 2nd April 2023, Kevs Cars & Coaches will vary their timetable to improve reliability. The route is amended to terminate at Longbridge during the peaks due to roadworks affecting reliability.

144A Longbridge to Bromsgrove

From 16th April 2023, National Express West Midlands are replacing this service by a new NXWM service 20 between Bromsgrove and QE Hosptial.

Reimagining Transport in the West Midlands

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

Stirchley Ward quarterly meeting

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

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;