New Series of Michael Portillo's Railway Journeys

[185143]

I saw Michael Portillo filming at the bottom of the steps at Oxford Road at around 08:45 today. Does anyone know where he is going to go to next?

 

[northwichcat]

Could be anywhere he's not already been. Won't be Liverpool via Earlestown and I doubt he'll be going as far down as Crewe or Stoke as he's already done those areas.

But maybe Alderley Edge though which was formed as a result of the line being built?

The coming of the railway in 1842 with the construction of the Stockport to Crewe section of the main Manchester and Birmingham Railway changed all this. The Manchester and Birmingham Railway Company built the line through Chorley, offering free season tickets for 20 years to Manchester businessmen who built houses with a rateable value of more than £50 within a mile of the station. This 'season ticket' was in the form of a small silver oval which could be worn on a watch chain.

The railway also gave Alderley Edge its current name. As the railway network expanded and travel became easier, the railway company did not want its station called Chorley any more because of the possible confusion with Chorley in Lancashire. So, in 1880 they renamed it Alderley Edge railway station against much opposition, taking the old name for the village and the name of the sandstone escarpment already known as The Edge. The name Chorley, Macclesfield is retained by the civil parish to the northwest of Alderley Edge.

Following the construction of the railway, the local landowner, Sir Humphrey de Trafford, of Chorley Hall, laid out an extensive estate of new roads and new houses were incrementally added, filling-in most of the available sites by 1910. Of these, nine are now listed grade II. The area boundary largely reflects de Trafford's original estate boundaries. Also because of the railway, Alderley became a popular place to visit and the railway company popularised day trips and cheap excursions to the village.

 

[Chapeltom]

I saw Michael Portillo filming at the bottom of the steps at Oxford Road at around 08:45 today. Does anyone know where he is going to go to next?

I was at MCO on a service to Liverpool South Parkway at exactly that time, why the hell I didn't look out the window as I usually do I don't know! Damn.

 

[High Dyke]

He was filming on an EMT service the other day... The guard was just advising passengers about it only to find he was stood the other side of the door from him.

The Mem got excited when she found her train was due to have a BBC film crew on... It turned out to be for a programme called Pilgrammage; and nothing to do with Portillo.

 

[Manchester77]

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=102817205&postcount=22550

Some pictures of Micheal at Manchester Victoria Metrolink

 

[Crossover]

Yep, some of the crew are the same as when I saw him the other week. Really must upload some photos at some point...

 

[Howardh]

Don't think he's ever done the God's Own Railway - AKA the most boring, depressing line in the world, Manchester to Bolton, where the most fascinating points are (not in any batting order) the bridge under the M60, the prison and the warehouse on the left where Nodel are/were based. It must be something when arriving in Bolton is something to be pleased about, the line makes reading The Metro pleasurable.

 

[WatcherZero]

Are you kidding? the drop away and view down into the valley is amazing, also lots of architectural history passed.

 

[Chapeltom]

Don't think he's ever done the God's Own Railway - AKA the most boring, depressing line in the world, Manchester to Bolton, where the most fascinating points are (not in any batting order) the bridge under the M60, the prison and the warehouse on the left where Nodel are/were based. It must be something when arriving in Bolton is something to be pleased about, the line makes reading The Metro pleasurable.

I concur! A dull and boring line to go along. Where is the prison, I don't think I've ever seen that? I travelled up from Picc to Bolton last night, yawn!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The prison is a relatively modern establishment in the Agecroft area and is on the right hand side as you travel to Bolton.

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned the remains of the historical Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal (constructed from 1791 to 1808) that runs parallel with the railway from the Salford area, again on the right hand side as you travel to Bolton for quite a distance until you reach the Clifton area where there used to be the junction for the Manchester, Bury and Rossendale branch line that was the scene of a railway dispute between the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the East Lancashire Railway.

 

[northwichcat]

FORMER Government minister turned TV presenter Michael Portillo was filming in Warrington town centre on Tuesday evening - before being chased away by ‘dancing’ Chris Berry.

The ex-Tory minister was recording for his new Great British Railway Journey programme around 6pm at Bridge Foot.

But the session was brought to an early closure when Mr Berry began hurling obscenities at him.

The film crew later continued their work at Bank Quay station in the town.

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/10390028.Michael_Portillo_filming_in_town/

 

[hughesfowler]

I was lucky enought o have a chat with him yesterday. We had been given advance notice he was coming. Anyway firstly would like to say what a thoroughly nice chap he was to speak to, he took time to greet and talk to anyone who approached him and did some photographs for the station.

He told me he was filming in the manchester/cheshire area for the next ten days as he was focussing on the cotton trade and manchesters dominance in the market at the time.

he also told me he is doing another european series based on Bradshaws covering Germany as at least one country.

Like I said a really nice chap and came across as he does on the programmes, a pleasure to meet him.

 

[terryc]

I'd love to meet him, shake his hand, and thank him for his efforts in saving the S&C.

 

[northwichcat]

I'd love to meet him, shake his hand, and thank him for his efforts in saving the S&C.

According to someone's online blog they approached him when he was sat on a train and not filming and asked have they seen them somewhere before, to which his response was "I'm Michael Portillo. Pleased to meet you" (shaking their hand in the process.)

 

[WatcherZero]

Now hes been seen at Port Sunlight.

 

[Dave1954]

Michael was being filmed on Sunday 28-4-2013 in Wolverhampton
Low level station and Bantock park ........... why Bantock park i
ask myself ? theres no railway there .
Dave1954 .

 

[Aldaniti]

Just walked past him sat on a bench outside Wigan Wallgate. Nice pink jacket, didn't look like he was going to brave a pie shop.

 

[Tilly]

He's been seen in Southport too today.

http://www.otsnews.co.uk/michael-portillo-visits-southport-to-film-great-british-railway-journeys/

 

[YorkshireBear]

I would absolutely love to meet him, but unfortunately i doubt i will get the chance.

 

[Howardh]

Are you kidding? the drop away and view down into the valley is amazing, also lots of architectural history passed.

The Bolton/Manchester line, right? Even if we had The Little Mermaid to look at, her head would be smashed off, and the rest covered up by a pile of plastic bags, lager cans and dog droppings...

But - serious point - is there anywhere in the UK that can boast (if boast is the right word) a complete change from the ugly to the beautiful? Once you have gone past Hall I'th Wood the scenery becomes stunning - past the reservoirs, through the hills and then the tunnel strikes to take it all away from you. Beautiful on a calm day, especially early winter when there's a low mist, touch of frost and it's clear and calm.

Just wish some of it was on the southbound stretch from Trinity Street!

 

[district]

I'd love to meet him, shake his hand, and thank him for his efforts in saving the S&C.

I've shaken his hand, and got a photo with him!

The prison is a relatively modern establishment in the Agecroft area and is on the right hand side as you travel to Bolton.

Which prison are you referring to Paul?

 

[Howardh]

I've shaken his hand, and got a photo with him!
Which prison are you referring to Paul?

The prison is called (I think) Agecroft and it's a star-shaped building (grey, with huge walls and barbed wire - er, a bit like a prison really) on your right after about 3-4 minutes as you leave Salford Crescent towards Bolton.

There you are, highlight of the day looking out for Agecroft Nick. Bet Portillo spends hours trying to decide which bits of his filming of the route there to leave out.

Mmmm....which to leave on the cutting-room floor? The prison, the dirty canal or the wooden rabies building where they keep dogs in quarantine??

 

[district]

Is it HMP Forest Bank, run by Sodexo?

 

[callum112233]

or the wooden rabies building where they keep dogs in quarantine??

What's this you speak of?

 

[tripleseis]

I saw him filming in Camden a few weeks ago. He even came into my workplace (probably as the building used to be a warehouse that transferred goods between the canal and the railway).

 

[WatcherZero]

Trying to guess what route hes doing now from the various sightings. Looks like Manchester-Wirral but Wigan would be odd one out unless he was changing there or its a different weeks journey. Southport line possibly? hes done WCML from Preston northwards so perhaps WCML southwards from the North West?

 

[Aldaniti]

Trying to guess what route hes doing now from the various sightings. Looks like Manchester-Wirral but Wigan would be odd one out unless he was changing there or its a different weeks journey. Southport line possibly? hes done WCML from Preston northwards so perhaps WCML southwards from the North West?

I would imagine he travelled from Wigan to London yesterday afternoon as he is a presenter on the BBC1 programme 'This Week' on Thursday nights.

 

[WatcherZero]

Yeah but wouldnt Warrington have been better for that if he was in the Cheshire area? If he was in Wigan he was further north than he had been for most of the week.

edit: Just seen above he was in Southport on Tuesday,


So thats Sunday Wolverhampton
Tuesday Southport, Manchester Victoria, Oxford Road, St Peters Square
Wednesday Port Sunlight (Wirral), Birkenhead
Thursday Wigan Wallgate, Wigan North Western

Suppose they dont neccesarily film in order.

edit 3: several more sightings from twitter added, cyberstalking is disturbingly fun, slap wrists.

 

[Howardh]

What's this you speak of?

The "rabies" building....as you travel towards Manchester it's on your left, and looks just like what it is, sheds converted into kennels to house (mainly) dogs that are either suspected of being rabid, or have been imported and are subject to quarantine.

The animals have to go somewhere! Of course these days there are pet passports and all sorts of microchips, meaning such animals don't require quarantine, but in "my day" an imported pet had to be quarantined for 6 months before release. Poor things. Hope conditions are warm and comfy for them!

I think the place is well worth a wee slot on Portillo's prog, many thousands pass each day and won't have a clue what goes on inside.

I'm assuming the place is still running...anyone?

 

[northwichcat]

Yeah but wouldnt Warrington have been better for that if he was in the Cheshire area? If he was in Wigan he was further north than he had been for most of the week.

edit: Just seen above he was in Southport on Tuesday,


Thursday Wigan Wallgate, Wigan North Western

Apparently he was also in Buxton early on Thursday.

I don't think it really makes a difference whether it was Wigan or Warrington he travelled to London from. They obviously work the filming schedule around the train times.

Suppose they dont neccesarily film in order.

Plus the proposed order for airing may change during the editing/post-production work.