Strange structures at Wylde Green and Chester Road stations?

[reastreetmetro]

Does anyone happen to know what these brick platform-type structures are attached to the up platforms at these two stations on the Cross City line?

I was considering whether they might be the base of a signal box in the past but can't seem to discover any information that might explain what they are (or used to be).

Wylde Green (between the tree and the lamp post, covered in green moss)


Chester Road

 

[30907]

Platform shelters?

Note the platform edge at Chester Rd abuts.

 

[Dr Hoo]

As a youthful commuter at both stations, they were the ‘plinths’ for wooden station buildings favoured by the L&NWR. They were also the favoured target of a local arsonist who burnt them down (and possibly at Erdington) in a spree. Can’t recall the date but a loose guess of the 1970s.