New Stations/Re-Openings

[Mutant Lemming]

Noticing the thread about Wellington/Cullompton re-opening I was wondering,
aside from the fantasy of returning to a pre-Beeching sized network or opening lines because you like the view, what would you rate as the top ten realistic cases for new stations or re-openings that haven't made it to the drawing board as yet ?

 

[DavidBrown]

It depends on what you mean as 'making it to the drawing board'. Sticking with the Exeter area for the moment, Marsh Barton on the mainline has no drawn up plans, but Devon County Council and Exeter City Council are both very keen to see a new station there, and I think that once the three stations that are planned for the immediate future (Cranbrook, Newcourt and Monkerton) are sorted out, then plans for Marsh Barton will be pushed forward.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

There is talk of a new station at Beechwood near to Runcorn if the Halton Curve reopens. Plans from Halton Borough Council. http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=12701
Not a strong case for the station. I believe NR have put money to one side for Halton Curve exploration following a study by Merseyrail.

 

[northwichcat]

Middlewich Line reopening: http://www.mcrua.org.uk/pdf-fix.php...gers---final-report--july-2009_1248946031.pdf

New station at Baguley: http://www.wythenshawerailway.blogspot.com/

 

[bluenoxid]

http://g.co/maps/e9dn

I know it does not give a top 10 but if you have any additional sites, please PM me.

 

[exile]

Kenilworth surely must be near the top of the list. Also Ilkeston and Finningley (as "Robin Hood Airport").

 

[chappers]

I've always wondered about Kingskerswell on the Torbay Branch. The old platforms remain (would need completely replacing though), but it always struck me as strange that with a line running right through the middle of a reasonably sized community it isn't served by a station. Would take traffic off the A380 as well.

 

[tbtc]

Finningley (as "Robin Hood Airport").

Its a very quiet airport on a very quiet line (Doncaster - Lincoln) - I'd be surprised if it were built any time soon (unless the Airport pay for it).

In South Yorkshire the most obvious ones are Parkgate (north of Rotherham) and Millhouses (south of Sheffield).

I'd also suggest Wormit (south end of Tay Bridge) for a list (there's a decent population around the south bank of the Tay, in Scottish terms) and somewhere on the Crewe - Chester line for a Chester P&R (was discussed on another thread recently, can't remember the location, sorry)

 

[DavidBrown]

I've always wondered about Kingskerswell on the Torbay Branch. The old platforms remain (would need completely replacing though), but it always struck me as strange that with a line running right through the middle of a reasonably sized community it isn't served by a station. Would take traffic off the A380 as well.

There are proposals to reopen it - it's in the same report as the Marsh Barton proposal I mentioned earlier, along with Edginswell (between Kingskerswell and Torre), Exminster and Exmouth North. However, Kingskerswell and Exminster have low predicted passenger usage figures, and so are a low priority. That said, I think that a lot will depend on whether or not the A380 bypass is built. If it is, then the car will be a far more attractive option for the residents and the station reopening would be somewhat unlikely, but if it doesn't get the funding, then I can imagine the station reopening being bumped up the priority list. As you say, the platforms are still in place and it's right next to a road, so the cost of reinstating it would be minimal, and therefore will prehaps be seen as better value for money.

In the map that bluenoxid provides, I notice Tavistock station isn't on the map. Any particular reason why?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Its a very quiet airport on a very quiet line (Doncaster - Lincoln) - I'd be surprised if it were built any time soon (unless the Airport pay for it).

I suspect closure is more likely...

 

[SwindonPkwy]

Swindon Parkway to serve North and West Swindon on the Kemble line. IIRC Swindon is the largest town in England not to have two or more stations. North and West Swindon, in particular, have seen many thousands of new houses built over the last two decades.

No bias here, honestly.

 

[tbtc]

I suspect closure is more likely...

I agree - this failing airport is proof that timing is everything (and they timed everything badly)

 

[Class172]

Swindon Parkway to serve North and West Swindon on the Kemble line. IIRC Swindon is the largest town in England not to have two or more stations. North and West Swindon, in particular, have seen many thousands of new houses built over the last two decades.

No bias here, honestly.

Being born there I can remember how much it's changed — we go back sometimes to see friends nearby. It must be at least 10,000 houses they added which has made the town expand hugely towards Purton and Haydon Wick (I think); I can remember when it was all green field between Swindon and Cricklade; now half of that's gone. A new station in the west would probably be well utilised, even just for commuting to the centre. After all, Swindon isn't the easiest place to navigate by car.

 

[telstarbox]

http://g.co/maps/e9dn

I know it does not give a top 10 but if you have any additional sites, please PM me.

How about Wixams near Bedford?

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/...ted_for_wixams_railway_station_link_1_2396533

 

[bluenoxid]

In the map that bluenoxid provides, I notice Tavistock station isn't on the map. Any particular reason why?

The map is based on proposals that have made the news recently. If it does not make the news, it does not get inputted. i will google it tonight to get a location

 

[northwichcat]

http://g.co/maps/e9dn

I know it does not give a top 10 but if you have any additional sites, please PM me.

There's a mistake on the Middlewich entry. It states Nantwich instead of Northwich.

 

[MK Tom]

Swindon Parkway to serve North and West Swindon on the Kemble line. IIRC Swindon is the largest town in England not to have two or more stations. North and West Swindon, in particular, have seen many thousands of new houses built over the last two decades.

No bias here, honestly.

Actually this dubious honour falls to Northampton. That would be one of my recommendations, a second station for Northampton either at Hunsbury, at Kingsthorpe or on the Brackmills Branch. Another would be a suburban station in the east of Coventry.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In the map that bluenoxid provides, I notice Tavistock station isn't on the map. Any particular reason why?

There is another thread on the forum at present concerning a Bere Alston to Tavistock proposal, as part of a package with a developer which includes 750 homes. I have sent a PM to bluenoxid about this thread.

 

[bluenoxid]

There's a mistake on the Middlewich entry. It states Nantwich instead of Northwich.

Corrected. Thank you.

How about Wixams near Bedford?

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/...ted_for_wixams_railway_station_link_1_2396533

That is new to me and none of my feeds pulled it up. Thank you. It has been added.

There is another thread on the forum at present concerning a Bere Alston to Tavistock proposal, as part of a package with a developer which includes 750 homes. I have sent a PM to bluenoxid about this thread.

Paul. Thank you for your PM. Due to be added.

 

[martinsh]

IIRC Swindon is the largest town in England not to have two or more stations. .

Coventry only has one station, and is much bigger than Swindon !

 

[Class172]

Coventry only has one station, and is much bigger than Swindon !

What about Canley and Tile Hill, surely the foremost is in Coventry.

 

[MK Tom]

Yeah I've given this quite a bit of thought and I'm pretty sure it's Northampton. I can't think of anywhere bigger that only has one. Coventry as Class172 says has Canley and Tile Hill, with proposals for a fourth to serve the Ricoh arena. There was a time that Leicester only had one station but thankfully they rectified that. It still has a lot fewer than it aught to though.

 

[Yew]

There is the Robin hood line extension, that was looking like it would go ahead until the cuts. Nothing has been herd about it for ages though

 

[ACE1888]

The real shame of any potential reopenings in England is compared to Wales and Scotland, is it seems to take FOREVER to get any thing re opened In Devon the Bere Alston-Tavistock rebuilding has been talked about seriously since around 1989! Any excuse to 'stop' a scheme'/delay it (the latest recession in GB is always the best 'excuse':roll, when are Politicians going to learn that intergrated 'transport' (NOT competition) is what public transport is all about! People before profits...

 

[button_boxer]

Coventry only has one station, and is much bigger than Swindon !

Town - Coventry is a city...

 

[142094]

http://g.co/maps/e9dn

I know it does not give a top 10 but if you have any additional sites, please PM me.

Not sure if you'd want it, but there are a few stations that have been proposed over time for the Tyne and Wear Metro. I have a list if you'd want it on your map.

 

[yorksrob]

The real shame of any potential reopenings in England is compared to Wales and Scotland, is it seems to take FOREVER to get any thing re opened In Devon the Bere Alston-Tavistock rebuilding has been talked about seriously since around 1989! Any excuse to 'stop' a scheme'/delay it (the latest recession in GB is always the best 'excuse':roll, when are Politicians going to learn that intergrated 'transport' (NOT competition) is what public transport is all about! People before profits...

And don't forget the obsession in this country of throwing in any old tat as a transport link no matter what the cost - just so long as it's not (shock horror) a railway

 

[martinsh]

Yeah I've given this quite a bit of thought and I'm pretty sure it's Northampton. I can't think of anywhere bigger that only has one. Coventry as Class172 says has Canley and Tile Hill, with proposals for a fourth to serve the Ricoh arena. There was a time that Leicester only had one station but thankfully they rectified that. It still has a lot fewer than it aught to though.

Yeah, I had a senior moment and forgot about stations west of Coventry ! Other large places with only one station are Cambridge, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Cheltenham & Gloucester.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I was hoping more progress had been reached on the Leicester - Burton line but like so many projects it just seems stalled in some kind of no man's land.

It's difficult when the amount of money available for investment is finite to determine whether it is better utilised to electrify more, build high speed or put more places on the network. Though all would be desirable it seems like the former will be taking precedence over the latter and it may be a bit of time before being able to get to Alrewas by train again.

 

[bluenoxid]

Not sure if you'd want it, but there are a few stations that have been proposed over time for the Tyne and Wear Metro. I have a list if you'd want it on your map.

I am looking for the realistic reopenings but if they are unlikely to happen, I can put them on with a note that they are unlikely to happen. PM or post them.