Balsall Heathan # 257 Jul 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust

y Martyn Reeve
More to Moor
Street?
Consultants have now started work on investigating the possibility
of re-opening the Camp Hill railway line for passenger services.
The re-opening of this line for commuters would enable railway
stations to be re-built at Balsall Heath, Moseley, Kings Heath and
Stirchley. A consultancy firm called Halcrow have been
commissioned to carryout the feasibility study with Centro and
the City Council jointly funding the project.
In September West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority will
receive an interim report, which will then be closely followed in
December by a final report. Within both documents the consultants
will examine the implications of creating two links at Camp Hill
so that the railway line connects directly into Moor Street station.
They will then go on to examine potential locations for new stations.
Finally they will look at the economic benefits of re-opening the
line to passenger services.
Respect!
St. Paul’s Junior Drama group have just completed a mini-tour of
Balsall Heath and Moseley, performing in five primary schools to a
total audience of around 800. With funding support from Local
Network Fund the group devised three sketches about issues that
affect primary school children. The action takes place in three
scenes; a bus stop, a classroom and a home and is united by a
theme…respect. In each of the scenes things don’t go too well for
the participants and the audience are invited to help put things
right. The pieces were based on improvisation and only loosely
follow a script, each performance being different to the last. They
were helped by a lovely set built for them by Sara Renolds.
This study is a pre-requisite for any bid to the Government for
funds to re-open this line for passenger services. Currently the
Camp Hill line is used to carry freight and Virgin trains from New
Street station to Bristol. Stations at Cartland Road, Kings Heath,
Moseley and Brighton Road were closed in 1941 and never reopened.
It is expected that it will cost in the region of £10 million
for each new station with the cost of the two rail links estimated
at £40-£50million per link. Councillor Mullaney has already asked
Highway Engineers to investigate the possibility of widening the
railway bridge on Kings Heath High Street to road traffic allowing
a bus-rail interchange to be built. It is estimated that the cost of
widening the bridge will cost approximately £10million.
MONKEY BUSINESS
BALSALL HEATH PARK
SATURDAY AUG 19 TH
1-5 PM
BOUNCY CASTLE, RACES, FOOD, MUSIC
INFORMATION, STALLS, TOG O WAR AND
MORE.
UNVEILING OF PLAN FOR
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK
oF
FRIENDS BALSALL HEATH PARK
The shows were very well received by enthusiastic audiences at St.
Martin De Porres, Percy Shurmer, Tindal Street, Clifton Junior
and Park Hill. This group took on a very difficult task and produced
excellent performances. Thanks to L.N.F, all the schools involved,
parents, carers and helpers and anyone else who gave us a hand.
Several older members are leaving the group in July so there will be
some places available. If you are aged between 8 and 11 and
would like to be in a drama group then call 464 4376 and ask for
Martyn. You don’t have to pass an audition and you don’t need to
have any previous experience, you just have to be interested and
enthusiastic.