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.