VolkerFitzpatrick Completes Camp Hill Line Project, Reconnecting South Birmingham by Rail
VolkerFitzpatrick has successfully completed work on the Camp Hill Line project on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), delivering three new railway stations and reintroducing passenger rail services to south Birmingham. The line officially opened to passengers on 7 April, marking the first time communities along the route have been served by local passenger trains in more than 80 years.
The scheme has seen the construction of new stations at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road restoring local access to the rail network along a route that has been used primarily for freight services since the early 1940s. The project represents a major milestone in the region’s transport ambitions, supporting sustainable travel, improved connectivity and reduced congestion.
The new stations provide residents with a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to car travel, significantly reducing journey times into Birmingham city centre. Each station has been delivered to modern standards, with two platforms capable of accommodating six‑car trains, complemented by fully accessible pedestrian footbridges, lifts and stairs, real‑time passenger information systems and help points on each platform. Pick‑up and drop‑off facilities have also been provided at Moseley Village and Pineapple Road to improve accessibility.
Delivering the Camp Hill Line scheme presented a number of complex engineering and logistical challenges. With almost no remnants of the original stations remaining after eight decades, VolkerFitzpatrick teams worked within highly constrained sites, undertaking substantial ground remediation and embankment stabilisation to safely accommodate new, longer platforms. The project also required careful management of legacy infrastructure, unexpected ground conditions and environmental considerations, alongside extensive coordination with multiple rail and local authority partners, all while maintaining a live operational railway.
The completion and opening of the Camp Hill Line on 7 April is a major achievement and a moment of real pride for everyone involved. I would like to thank our project teams, supply chain partners and colleagues across the wider rail industry for their commitment, collaboration and professionalism throughout the delivery of this complex scheme. Together, we have successfully delivered infrastructure that reconnects communities and will provide lasting social, environmental and economic benefits for south Birmingham.
Paul Lilley Strategic Projects Director
Despite the challenges encountered, close collaboration between VolkerFitzpatrick, TfWM, the West Midlands Rail Executive, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, Birmingham City Council and the wider supply chain enabled the successful delivery of this transformative project. The reopening of the Camp Hill Line will play a crucial role in supporting economic growth, encouraging public transport use and contributing to a greener, better‑connected West Midlands.
