Three new railway stations are to be built ready for the resumption of passenger services on the Camp Hill line in south Birmingham.

In a £61 million project, new stations are to be built at Moseley, Kings Heath, and Hazelwell ready for the return of passenger services on the Camp Hill line. That line closed to passengers during the Second World War, although it is still used by freight and some through services.

Early preparation and clearance work has already been carried out at Moseley, and construction work on the other stations is expected to start next year.

The contract is expected to be awarded in the spring, and construction firms on the shortlist have already been officially invited to submit tenders.

Funding for the stations was agreed upon earlier this year. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is providing £36 million towards the cost, the Department for Transport is contributing £20 million, and Birmingham City Council is providing the remaining £5 million from its clean air zone fund.

Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the WMCA, is leading the project, which will provide commuters into Birmingham with an alternative to traffic jams on the A435 Alcester Road. For example, travel time into the city centre from Hazelwell station in Stirchley will be 14 minutes, compared to a peak time journey by car of up to 45 minutes.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “With the funding in place, planning permissions granted, and some of the essential clearance work completed, I am delighted that we can now press ahead to find a contractor to get these three new stations on the Camp Hill line built.

“The residents of Moseley, Kings Heath, and Stirchley have waited far too long for a return of rail services, and that is why I have been so determined to make it happen.

“Once we find our contractor it will be full steam ahead to get these stations built and ready to welcome passengers on the line for the first time in 80 years.”

Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “Investment in rail services is key to meeting the climate challenge and achieving our ambitions for a net-zero carbon region,  improving the air quality in our towns and cities in the process.

“The communities along the Camp Hill line have waited a long time to see these stations being built and will be encouraged to see progress being made with the first spades in the ground next year.”