Selly Oak Lib Dems support new rail services for south Birmingham

8.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 13th Sep 2009

Local Liberal Democrats are continuing to support calls for passenger train services on the Camp Hill rail line, with plans for new rail stations at Hazelwell, Kings Heath, Moseley and Balsall Heath.

"This should be a high priority for funding, with the aim of restoring passenger services to the existing line as soon as possible," said Councillor Dave Radcliffe, responding the recent consultation on the Draft West Midlands Rail Development Plan.

"Traffic congestion and parking problems are growing issues for residents across South Birmingham. Frequent local passenger services along the Camp Hill rail line would therefore offer a much needed alternative to the car across a large area of the city that does not currently have easy access to local train services."

The Camp Hill line is currently only used for freight train services. Given the lack of capacity at New Street station, a new railway chord linking the line to Moor Street station (which has spare capacity) is needed to allow passenger services to terminate in the city centre. Also under consideration over the next few years are improvements to existing local stations, including Selly Oak, a new transport interchange at Longbridge and the expansion of existing Park & Ride provision.

The Draft Rail Development Plan has been produced by Centro (the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority) on behalf of the Regional Rail Forum, a body which has representatives from local authorities, rail companies and other organisations across the region.

Related Link:

Draft West Midlands Rail Development Plan.