Stations which should close

[Greenback]

Clearly, a small number of stations have no real demand, usually because whatever prompted them to be built in the first place is no longer there, or because better alternatives exist nearby.

But I am concerned that there are other stations where any demand that exists has been suppressed, deliberately or otherwise, by an abysmal level of service. My problem, though, is identifying between the two, as I don't have enough local knowledge!

 

[Morgsie]

Beaulieu Road in the New Forset, Peak time trains call there and there is just a road nearby. It is advised to catch a taxi from Brockenhurst to the Motor Museum.

 

[Eagle]

But I am concerned that there are other stations where any demand that exists has been suppressed, deliberately or otherwise, by an abysmal level of service. My problem, though, is identifying between the two, as I don't have enough local knowledge!

It's a pity that the modern railway doesn't do much in the way of trial and error here. I think it would be a good idea for (as an example) Northern to call 1tp2h or 1tph at Ardwick for a couple of months or so as an experiment, and see if there is actually suppressed demand for it or whether it's not worth improving the service.

 

[dk1]

Shippea Hill and Eccles Road ?

Shippea Hill has 2 school children who board the only eastbound stopping service each morning.

Eccles Road has reasonable numbers boarding/alighting from the couple of daily calls each way but not as many as nearby Harling Road.

The poorest loadings on the Breckland Line have to come from Lakenheath & Spooner Row.

 

[142094]

I'm currently involved in trying to get a better service to a few stations where trains pass through but don't stop - the main factor that seems to be preventing it is pathing issues somewhere further along the line, which is probably in common across the country.

As has been said, it is a double-edged sword, a lack of trains could indicate a lack of demand, but in many cases it is vice versa.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

The poorest loadings on the Breckland Line have to come from Lakenheath & Spooner Row.

Lakenheath could also be in the 'Station Nowhere Near the Town it is Named After' thread but isn't it used at weekends by visitors to the RSPB reserve ?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

This may be controversial, but I'd like to see Sudbury & Harrow Road closed. There are too many small suburban stations on the congested two track Chiltern Main Line between Wembley and Denham and it isn't easy to give them all a meaningful service level in between the 100mph fast services. For this reason Sudbury & Harrow Road only gets a very limited peak-time only service and even these trains are not heavily used from the station. Sudbury Town tube station is nearby and the area is served by several bus routes so the hardship caused by closing the station would be minimal.

Mr Larkbey wouldent like it ....

 

[DiscoStu]

Pilning.

One train per week in either direction? Pointless.

 

[Stephen55a1960]

totally against H&S unfortunately, imagine if a Wheelchair user tried to board and the ramp had to have a wheel on it and move along the platform with the wheelchair chasing after it to get onto the train! I do like the idea though

As a wheelchair user, that made me smile

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Pilning.

One train per week in either direction? Pointless.

At least a better train service, probably best not to close the station unless there's some development ideas...

 

[Greenback]

Pilning.

One train per week in either direction? Pointless.

Indeed, but cheaper than closing it!

 

[Stephen55a1960]

It's a pity that the modern railway doesn't do much in the way of trial and error here. I think it would be a good idea for (as an example) Northern to call 1tp2h or 1tph at Ardwick for a couple of months or so as an experiment, and see if there is actually suppressed demand for it or whether it's not worth improving the service.

Having travelled, to and from Manchester Piccadilly (originating in Leeds) 60 times, since last September, I have yet to see anyone on Ardwick station!

 

[Eagle]

Having travelled, to and from Manchester Piccadilly (originating in Leeds) 60 times, since last September, I have yet to see anyone on Ardwick station!

On trains that actually call there, or just ones that sail past? :P

Even so, a more regular service, at various times of day, might attract more passengers. Or it might not. But you'll only find out by experiment.

 

[Greenback]

Even so, a more regular service, at various times of day, might attract more passengers. Or it might not. But you'll only find out by experiment.

This was argued for Pilning in the 1990's, but as far as I can recall it was never tried.

It may be that Pilning is one of the hopeless cases, whereas Ardwick isn't. Or it could be vice versa, I can't tell any more!

 

[Eagle]

It may be that Pilning is one of the hopeless cases, whereas Ardwick isn't. Or it could be vice versa, I can't tell any more!

One serves a mainly industrial area of Manchester, with the nearest residential areas being closer to Ashburys or Levenshulme; one serves a largish village that is about as far from Severn Beach as it is from its own station.

I can't tell either :?

 

[Stephen55a1960]

On trains that actually call there, or just ones that sail past? :P

Even so, a more regular service, at various times of day, might attract more passengers. Or it might not. But you'll only find out by experiment.

They were trains that sailed past. I travelled to Manchester, on the 11:55, 12:08,12:25 departures from Leeds. Always returned on the 18:27 from Manchester. I can honestly say, that I never saw anyone on the platform at Ardwick.

 

[Eagle]

They were trains that sailed past. I travelled to Manchester, on the 11:55, 12:08,12:25 departures from Leeds. Always returned on the 18:27 from Manchester. I can honestly say, that I never saw anyone on the platform at Ardwick.

That's because your trains were at times that there are no services at Ardwick.

Hardly surprising that the platform was deserted.

 

[WestCoast]

The poorest loadings on my local line are at Moss Side, which interestingly is a station closed in 1961 and reopened in 1983 by way of a county council grant. It has an all day hourly service, but only musters around 3,000 annual passengers (considerably less than Beaulieu Road which was mentioned).

The trains have to stop for a level crossing anyway, but I do wish they'd spent the county council reopening grant at the next village of Wrea Green, which I reckon could easily attract 15,000+ users a year judging by the bus services.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

The poorest loadings on my local line are at Moss Side, which interestingly is a station closed in 1961 and reopened in 1983 by way of a county council grant. It has an all day hourly service, but only musters around 3,000 annual passengers.

The trains have to stop for a level crossing anyway, but I do wish they'd spent the county council reopening grant at the next village of Wrea Green, which I reckon could easily attract 15,000+ users a year judging by the bus services.

Light rail would be more preferable for Wrea Green than a re-opening, or a metro-esque system rather than keeping it heavy rail and re-opening. That way we can keep all the stations open and then try to make Moss Side seem better so more people go?

 

[Stephen55a1960]

That's because your trains were at times that there are no services at Ardwick.

Hardly surprising that the platform was deserted.

That's probably a fair point. You have to admit, though, that Ardwick hasn't got anything going for it? It's bleak and inhospitable.

 

[Eagle]

You have to admit, though, that Ardwick hasn't got anything going for it? It's bleak and inhospitable.

The station or the area? That description could equally apply to both.

 

[trentside]

Fiskerton and Rolleston stations (as have already been suggested) serve little purpose. I regularly travel between Lincoln and Nottingham and it seems like they're barely used during the day - they're so close to each other as well. If you were to retain one, Rolleston is closer to the village it serves.

Netherfield station in Nottingham is fairly pointless. Carlton station is just a few hundred yards away on the Lincoln line and has a far better service, and is well used. Sticking with the Nottingham to Grantham line, what's the point of retaining Elton & Orston? It's in the middle of nowhere with a token service at inconvenient times.

 

[Stephen55a1960]

The station or the area? That description could equally apply to both.

Both!

 

[Philip Elliott]

Fiskerton and Rolleston stations (as have already been suggested) serve little purpose. I regularly travel between Lincoln and Nottingham and it seems like they're barely used during the day - they're so close to each other as well. If you were to retain one, Rolleston is closer to the village it serves.

Rolleston Junction....for Southwell.

This thread can be summed up as:

'Close any station that slows my journey which I have no wish to use'

and

'Richard Beeching is my bestest friend'

 

[Pen Mill]

Related - I would close Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central... And open a new Warrington Interchange built with the high-level Liverpool - Manchester platforms in the same location as the low-level mainline platforms. Again, increased journey and interchange opportunities.

Are you suggesting an interchange where the CLC crosses the WCML ?
I used to live at that spot virtually and have to say that there is no room there at all.

It would be Central enough and I would agree if it could be crammed in but somehow I just don't think there's any room.
EDIT : and no room means no parking either

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Light rail would be more preferable for Wrea Green than a re-opening, or a metro-esque system rather than keeping it heavy rail and re-opening. That way we can keep all the stations open and then try to make Moss Side seem better so more people go?

Why? Heavy rail seems perfectly suitable. Further, why would you try and force people to use Moss Side? If it isn't getting custom but Wrea Green would then there's no point dwelling on how to make the other more attractive, you go where demand exists.

 

[tbtc]

Rolleston Junction....for Southwell.

This thread can be summed up as:

'Close any station that slows my journey which I have no wish to use'

and

'Richard Beeching is my bestest friend'

Yes, because anyone recommending closure of stations that a handful of people use each year are just the same as "Doctor" Beeching...

It's a shame we cannot have a grown up discussion about allocating resources more efficiently without allusions to the widespread cuts fifty years ago.

 

[SprinterMan]

It's interesting that the station most likely to be closed in the whole country hasn't been mentioned by anyone. Please "like" this everyone: https://www.facebook.com/saveourrailway

 

[TheBigD]

Shippea Hill has 2 school children who board the only eastbound stopping service each morning.

Eccles Road has reasonable numbers boarding/alighting from the couple of daily calls each way but not as many as nearby Harling Road.

The poorest loadings on the Breckland Line have to come from Lakenheath & Spooner Row.

Shippea Hill now has only 1. The other one now goes to College in Cambridge and gets dropped off at Littleport now.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It's interesting that the station most likely to be closed in the whole country hasn't been mentioned by anyone. Please "like" this everyone: https://www.facebook.com/saveourrailway

I suggest the most likely to close is Norton Bridge, which I will put my life savings on going during the remodelling work there, I would suggest as soon as a route is confirmed and preliminary work starts, around 2013-2014 I'd say. I can't see Stranraer going that soon.