A major stumbling block to the reopening of Birmingham’s Camp Hill rail line could be cleared thanks to a bold reworking of the plans.

The city has been crying out for passenger services to be brought back to the line through Moseley and Kings Heath for many years .

And West Midlands Mayor Andy Street made it a manifesto pledge to get work started on the line by the time his term of office ends in 2020.

The key engineering issue has been the need for a new railway viaduct in Bordesley to allow services to access Moor Street and Snow Hill Stations, avoiding congested New Street.

But now Mr Street says the viaduct is not necessary and a reorganising of services between Herefordshire and New Street could see the line open to New Street without adding to congestion.

How Moseley Railway Station looked in 1908
How Moseley Railway Station looked in 1908

He said: “Until now the reopening of the Camp Hill line has been predicated on the construction of a new chord in the Bordesley area of the city. It would allow services to access Snow Hill station, rather than clog up the platforms at the already clogged New Street station.

“But railway flyovers aren’t cheap, hence the reason that it’s not happened as yet. However, a bit of lateral thinking has meant a new plan, which would see services from Hereford diverted onto the Camp Hill line to stop at the new stations and then head to New Street.

“But instead of turning round there and taking up platform space for valuable extra minutes, the service would then go forward to somewhere like Shrewsbury.”

A range of agencies including Transport for the West Midlands, West Midlands Rail and the Department for Transport are now developing the proposal.

The site of Moseley railway station as it looks today
The site of Moseley railway station as it looks today

The scrapping of the viaduct would dramatically reduce the cost and leave the construction of passenger rail stations along the route as the only major construction work.

It would also shorten the time scale for the works and increase the likelihood of securing the essential backing of Government.

Both the city council and West Midlands transport authorities have been bidding to get the line reopened for more than a decade. They see it as crucial in tackling road congestion and encouraging more commuters to switch to public transport.

And Balsall Heath residents have also called for their own station along the line to provide easier access to job opportunities in the city centre and beyond.

Image of proposed Balsall Heath Station
Image of proposed Balsall Heath Station

The West Midlands Combined Authority was investigating the case for Balsall Heath Station, alongside three planned stations at Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell.

Passenger services stopped running on the line during the 1940s. Since then it has remained open only to freight services.

It is predominantly a freight line but does carry some passenger services. However, these are intercity services and do not pick up passengers in these two key suburbs.