Overview (Top Menu)

The Sutton Park Line, which was completed in 1879, connects Walsall to Water Orton West Junction in Castle Vale, enabling trains to travel between east Birmingham and the Black Country without having to pass through central Birmingham.

4.5 miles of the line (including 1 mile through Sutton Park) runs through the Sutton Coldfield area of north Birmingham.

The line stopped carrying passengers in 1965 and is now reserved for freight. There were three passenger stations: Sutton Coldfield, Sutton Town and Sutton Park; all have closed.

Trains travelling north-westwards through Birmingham on the Sutton Park Line will start their journey at Water Orton West Junction.

Water Orton West Junction (Top Menu)

The junction at Water Orton West enables trains travelling on the Sutton Park Line to join the Birmingham - Peterborough Line and vice versa. The junction is in Castle Vale, about half a mile west of the platforms at Water Orton Railway Station.

Links: Castle Vale  

Through Castle Vale (Top Menu)

Heading north-westwards from Water Orton West, the Sutton Park Line runs between the Castle Vale housing estate and Midpoint Industrial Park; it then bridges the Kingsbury Road (A38) and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

Through Minworth (Top Menu)

From Castle Vale, the Sutton Park Line continues north-westwards through Minworth where it bridges Forge Lane.

Eachelhurst Road (Top Menu)

Heading north-westwards from Forge Lane, the line passes through Walmley, crossing beneath Ashurst Road and then running alongside Haunchwood Drive and under the Eachelhurst Road Bridge.

Penns Hall (Top Menu)

From Eachelhurst Road, the Sutton Park Line continues in a northerly direction, running beneath Penns Hall Lane, past Walmley Cricket Ground, and the former site of Penns Hall Station, before bridging Plants Brook and skirting Walmley Golf Course.

Links: Walmley

From Walmley, the Sutton Park Line runs northwards crossing under Wylde Green Road, running alongside Eastview Road and the Bishop Walsh Catholic School, and skirting the western boundary of New Hall Valley Country Park, before bridging Ebrook Road and crossing Plants Brook for a second time.

Links: New Hall

Sutton Town Station (Top Menu)

Heading north-westwards from Plants Brook, the line runs roughly parallel to Jerome Road and Royal Road and then skirts Sutton Coldfield town centre, bridging Coleshill Road and Rectory Road before passing the former site of Sutton Town Station.

Sutton Coldfield High Street (Top Menu)

From Midland Drive, the Sutton Park Line heads north-westwards; it is carried above the Cross-City Line and then runs beneath Sutton Coldfield High Street and Anchorage Road, near the former site of Sutton Park Station which closed in 1965.

Links: Sutton Coldfield Town 

Midland Road Bridge (Top Menu)

Heading westwards from Anchorage Road, the railway enters Sutton Park, roughly 100 metres east of this bridge on Midland Road.

Links: Sutton Park

Blackroot Pool (Top Menu)

From Midland Road, the line runs north-westwards through woodland, skirting the northern shore of Blackroot Pool: a former millpond created in 1757 by damming a stream.

Links: Sutton Park

Heading north-westwards from Blackroot Pool, the line travels through woods and above this underpass which enables walkers to reach Bracebridge Pool: a mediaeval fishpond on the other side of the tracks.

Links: Sutton Park

Streetley (Top Menu)

From Bracebridge Pool, the Sutton Park Line continues through heath and woodland for another quarter mile before reaching Streetley on the western side of Sutton Park.

Links: Sutton Park

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