Birmingham's three new railway stations on the Camp Hill line have welcomed 130,000 passengers in their first two months since opening in April. The stations at Kings Heath, Moseley Village and Pineapple Road, part of a £185 million project, have been closed since 1941. Local businesses report visitors are choosing train travel over driving to avoid traffic.
Local Businesses See Benefits
Demi Rice, who works at The Station pub near Kings Heath station, said: "I think the new station's really handy with getting to New Street and it's handy for getting onto the High Street." Jane Morel from The Book Tower said customers have told her "it's really easier to hop on the train and get here" rather than use their market stall. She added the service has made "a massive difference" to her estate where bus services are limited.
Teething Problems and Calls for Improvement
However, some businesses report cancelled services affecting reliability. Karen Sanderson from The Jewellery Stop said customers have experienced cancellations and suggested better promotion of what's available at each station. Local residents believe more needs to be done to publicise the new services and highlight attractions at each stop.
Community Optimism Persists
Despite teething problems, the community remains optimistic about the long-awaited return of passenger services to the historic line. The stations have been open for four months, and the influx of visitors is seen as a positive step for the area, though comparisons have been made with Manchester's approach to station promotion.
