Plans for two new railway stations in Birmingham have been submitted.
The West Midlands Combined Authority is spearheading the development of the new stations in Kings Heath and Hazelwell, bringing the sites back into use for commuters for the first time in 80 years.
The Camp Hill line currently carries freight and some passengers services which do not stop but the authority has targeted the two locations and a third in Moseley as key to combating gridlock on south Birmingham's roads.
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Designs for the third station in Moseley are still being worked on and a planning application for that site is due to be lodged with Birmingham City Council by the end of this year.
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An old station building at Hazelwell, which the authority said was no longer fit for purpose, will be demolished while at Kings Heath there will be a direct walkway into Highbury Park and space for public art or a heritage display.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "I am really pleased that we have taken another significant step towards reopening the Camp Hill line to passengers with the submission of these planning applications.
"As well as offering south Birmingham residents a direct train line into the city centre, the reopened line will help to ease congestion on the roads and help reduce air pollution. I am confident that we can have these stations open and the Camp Hill line back up and running by 2021."
Coun Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, added: "Reopening the Camp Hill line is a crucial part of our plan to offer residents convenient alternatives to the car and reduce pollution and congestion on our roads.
"As well as better connecting the suburbs to the city centre and beyond, reopening the line will be the catalyst for further regeneration and investment in the Kings Heath and Stirchley areas."