Trivia: Existing stations where a new garden city could be built

[PTR 444]

With an ever increasing demand for housing and a need to provide sustainable transport options, are there many existing under-utilised stations, excluding those in AONBs, national parks etc, where a brand new garden settlement could be built?

For the purposes of this thread, I’m only including stations that are already open and don’t already have a new settlement planned or under construction. I believe Cheddington is the best example for this since it has four under-utilised platforms in open countryside and could comfortably support an influx of additional passengers.

 

[Dr Hoo]

British Steel Redcar?

 

[Recessio]

Ebbsfleet? Oh, wait...

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Ebbsfleet? Oh, wait...

Greenhithe Garden City.... ? Oh no....

 

[mrcheek]

Castle Cary station seems to be in the middle of nowhere with plenty of space around it.
Its also a decent sized station with a good service too.

It also has an interesting name, befitting of a Garden City.

Not sure if locals would approve, but I guess the purpose of the thread is to ignore that elephant in the room!

 

[Basil Jet]

It seems odd to me that TPTB are so keen to give Cambourne a station where no railway exists, while Shippea Hill has a perfectly good station that no-one uses. Other stations between here and Norwich are also candidates.

 

[The exile]

Micheldever? Faygate?

No doubt there are (non-railway) reasons why not (environmental protection etc) that go beyond NIMBY-ism

Castle Cary station seems to be in the middle of nowhere with plenty of space around it.
Its also a decent sized station with a good service too.

It also has an interesting name, befitting of a Garden City.

Not sure if locals would approve, but I guess the purpose of the thread is to ignore that elephant in the room!

In London-centric terms though, it’s a long way out!

 

[PTR 444]

Micheldever?

I believe a new settlement was once proposed there many years ago. It’s a good location since the station is on a main line with plenty of room to expand, while the surrounding area is close to the high quality A303/A34 dual carriageways and the under-utilised A33 Road.

 

[gg1]

Carstairs

 

[vic-rijrode]

Riccarton Junction.


Oh wait.

 

[Magdalia]

Shippea Hill has a perfectly good station that no-one uses.

I am looking forward to your explanation of how you are going to build a garden city in the middle of the Fens.

 

[Towers]

Is the area around Severn Tunnel Junction currently at its full potential? A quick glance from the platforms would tend to suggest not; ideal area for “Severn Garden City” or somesuch perhaps?!

 

[6Gman]

Not a city, but I always feel Yorton could support significant development ...

(But would require the Crewe-Salop stopper to go up to hourly.)

 

[zwk500]

Berwick (Sussex).
Not quite a new Garden City but Thirsk could certainly have a lot of infill around it.

 

[PTR 444]

Is the area around Severn Tunnel Junction currently at its full potential? A quick glance from the platforms would tend to suggest not; ideal area for “Severn Garden City” or somesuch perhaps?!

How about Pilning Garden City on the other side?

I am looking forward to your explanation of how you are going to build a garden city in the middle of the Fens.

Well, Northstowe and Cambourne are in the Fens, just about…

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Ravensthorpe maybe? Lots of disused/underused industrial land nearby. Would justify the expense of rebuilding it rather than just closing it as part of the route upgrade.

 

[Magdalia]

Well, Northstowe and Cambourne are in the Fens, just about…

No they are not. Northstowe is quite near the edge of the Fens but is 10m above sea level. Cambourne is up on the Cambridgeshire Plain more than 50m above sea level, and nothing like the Fens at all.

 

[cle]

I don't know about from scratch - but they should be building like crazy in Bletchley, Bicester, both sides of the GWML (per at Hayes) - where it's already happening but should be very intense. Where else? Bristol Parkway?

Nodes like Slough and Watford should resemble Blade Runner. Especially where you won't have the nimby-ness of St Albans or Surbiton.

 

[Arkeeos]

Not an existing station, but theres a big blank nothing between Twyford and Maidenhead that is prime for development. A station and flats would fit nicely.

 

[Towers]

Not an existing station, but theres a big blank nothing between Twyford and Maidenhead that is prime for development. A station and flats would fit nicely.

Ruscombe Garden Village

 

[PaulLothian]

I am looking forward to your explanation of how you are going to build a garden city in the middle of the Fens.

A bog-garden city?

 

[AM9]

With an ever increasing demand for housing and a need to provide sustainable transport options, are there many existing under-utilised stations where a brand new garden settlement could be built?

For the purposes of this thread, I’m only including stations that are already open and don’t already have a new settlement planned or under construction. I believe Cheddington is the best example for this since it has four under-utilised platforms in open countryside and could comfortably support an influx of additional passengers.

Only 2 of the platforms at Cheddington will ever have services stopping there, the fasts arenever stopped at.*

* No doubt some smart arse will cite an occasion when they did.

 

[zwk500]

Only 2 of the platforms at Cheddington will ever have services stopping there, the fasts arenever stopped at.*

* No doubt some smart arse will cite an occasion when they did.

During engineering, quite regularly!

Cheddington is certainly an area that could be heavily developed around the station though.

 

[AM9]

During engineering, quite regularly!

Cheddington is certainly an area that could be heavily developed around the station though.

And the LNR inters would manage that traffic fine on the slows. So it would in effect be a 2 platform station there.

 

[Bevan Price]

Ribblehead and/or Kirkby Stephen ?
Burscough (Bridge & Junction) ?
Malton ?
Ruabon ?

 

[zwk500]

And the LNR inters would manage that traffic fine on the slows. So it would in effect be a 2 platform station there.

As are the vast majority of stations on that line. How many fast line calls outside of MK and Watford Jn are made on the south WCML other than during 2-tracks?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Strata Florida / Tregaron (might need the Carmarthen _ Aberystwyth line rebuilt)

Seriously - there was an idea - never materialised on "Eco-Towns" - Borden I think and a few others - came to absolutely nothing.....

 

[MPW]

Some outer london stations adjacent to massive golf courses!

Examples in SE: elmstead woods, west Wickham, mottingham

 

[greyman42]

Ribblehead and/or Kirkby Stephen ?

You might have issues with planning permission in these locations.

Malton ?

Not sure where you would build a garden city in Malton.

 

[Dr Hoo]

You might have issues with planning permission in these locations.


Not sure where you would build a garden city in Malton.

Quite! The OP might wish to refine their original question along the lines of 'National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, etc.' are ruled out.