Former train station could be reopened under mayor’s plan
THE reopening of an old Birmingham railway station is being considered as transport chiefs draw up plans for the Camp Hill Rail line.
Officials from the West Midlands Combined Authority are set to look at the business case for a new Balsall Heath station – including likely passenger numbers and the impact on the local economy.
It comes after West Midlands Mayor Andy Street pledged to start work on the Birmingham to Moseley and Kings Heath line by the time his first term of office ends in 2020.
An earlier plan, issued in 2007, had proposed just three stations on a revived line at Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell (Stirchley), but that is now being revisited.
Cllr Tony Kennedy (Lab, Sparkbrook), who has long campaigned for a station in Balsall Heath, said: “It is fantastic news that a station is now on the table. Yes, it is early days but it is great that the potential case for a station will be reviewed. The area is a real creative hub with young people and families moving in.
“It was actually the first urban area in the country to have a neighbourhood development plan – which included a train station right in the heart of the area. It would create real regeneration opportunities for the whole area, and wider city.”
In 2015 Balsall Heath adopted a neighbourhood plan, a local policy to guide development, which included the Balsall Heath Station.
The plan was approved in a ballot of residents.
A Combined Authority spokesman said: “Our HS2 Connectivity Package includes proposals to reinstate local stations along the Camp Hill line at Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell (Stirchley).”
He said the 2007 study ruled out a Balsall Heath station because analysis suggested demand would be relatively low and the cost of building the station would be high.
“To unlock funding to reinstate the stations currently proposed on the Camp Hill line we must now develop a strong business case using the most up-to-date information.
“While this work is ongoing we are also taking the opportunity to scrutinise the decision taken in 2007 by investigating the costs and deliverability of a station in Balsall Heath as well as exploring the potential impact of it on the use of local services to and from Balsall Heath and to and from the other locations proposed on the line.
“Once we have completed the above investigation we will then decide whether to support proposals for a station at Balsall Heath.”