Denton Railway Station is a frequent inclusion in the top 10 least used stations in the United Kingdom having seen an average of just 1 passenger a month use the station during the last full years of figures. This is more than likely caused by a managed decline of the stations services and facilities, with the station having zero facilities in no shelters, toilets, disabled access, and only being served by 2 trains per week, 1 in either direction on Saturday mornings. This policy is deliberate as serving the station with at least 1 train a week prevents the cost's involved in a full closure program.
Once a busy railway line which carried trains to London Euston much of the services, line and infrastructure was reduced during the 1960's, the station going from 4 platforms to just 1 which is the island platform still remaining. Despite surviving attempts at full closure the station is unlikely to receive extra train services due to congestion at junctions further up the line.
These pictures were taken on the 15th December 2020 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. There are a total of 9 to view, which can be seen below and on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.
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I have recently been going through some of my postcard collection with the intention of selling a few off, and whilst in the process of sorting and listing I thought it might be of interest to feature some of the postcards on here. Todays selection is 2 from Lancashire and 1 from Cheshire, all counties in the north of England.
Blackpool.
The card although unwritten and undated was probably from the 1950's and was published by Sandman Brothers of Blackpool. The images features are of Blackpool Tower, a gondola, Starlight Parade and Gynn Gardens.
Chorley.
The Chorley Postcard was posted in 1986 and is a typical example of a 1980's quite boring postcard. The card features images of St Marys Church and Chorley Town Hall.
Compstall.
Compstall is a suburb of Stockport in Cheshire and although it has been written on, it appears to have never been posted. The images are names as the Watermeetings, and the Aquaduct and Viaduct.
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Nestled in the community of Reddish, Stockport, lies Reddish South Railway Station, a stop often found among the UK's least used. With just two scheduled stops per week, both on a Saturday morning in each direction, this unassuming station holds a fascinating history of rise, decline, and a community's fight for its future.
From Bustling Hub to Quiet Corner
Reddish South opened its doors in October 1845, when the Manchester & Birmingham Railway completed the line between Stockport and Guide Bridge. Barely a year later, it became part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) following a significant merger.
In its early years, Reddish South was a bustling hub, boasting two island platforms, a signal box, an engine shed, and a large goods yard. However, its fortunes began to shift in May 1899 when train routes were redirected, significantly reducing passing rail traffic.
Surviving the Axe, But Not the Neglect
The decline continued, and by the 1960s, British Rail underwent massive downsizing as part of the infamous Beeching cuts. Despite many stations and lines facing closure, Reddish South, along with the Stockport-Stalybridge line, remarkably survived. Yet, survival didn't equate to investment. The station suffered from neglect: the line was reduced to single track, one of the island platforms was filled in, station buildings and the engine shed were demolished, and eventually, the sidings and surrounding land were sold off for redevelopment.
A Request Stop and a Community's Campaign
By the 1980s, Reddish South had become a mere request stop. This was further reduced to a "parliamentary service" – a solitary train once a week, at 9:22 am on a Friday, travelling from Stockport to Stalybridge.
In 2007, proposals emerged to close Reddish South and Denton station to its north, while keeping the line open. This sparked a local campaign for more services and much-needed investment. A dedicated local group has since worked to brighten up the station, adding a vibrant mural, a flower bed, and a welcoming picket fence.
The Present Day: Potential Waiting to Be Tapped
Today, Reddish South continues to grapple with a lack of investment and facilities, offering only those two Saturday morning stops. The nearby landscape, however, hints at its potential. Numerous residential buildings border the station, and a large Morrisons store sits just behind the mural – all representing potential passengers.
In 2019/20, a mere 158 passengers used the station, averaging just three per week. This stands in stark contrast to Reddish North Railway Station, located a mere mile away, which served a staggering 242,000 passengers in the same period – over 1,531 times the usage of Reddish South.
The future of Reddish South remains a testament to the dedication of its community, hoping to transform this quiet stop into a thriving part of the local transport network once more.
(Pictures taken on 15th December 2020 using a Nikon d3300 SLR.)
The stations only entrance, the infilled section to the right was once trackbed making the station multi platform, it is now served by 1.
Despite low usage, a lack of investment, and 1 train a week stopping the stations limited facilities are looked after by Friends of Reddish South.
To the stations northern end, past a limited size fence is the disused section of the platform. The construction site to the right used to be the stations goods yard.
The fence represents the end of the used part of the station.
The used part of the station, showing the lack of facilities and shelters.
Freightliner 66610 passing through the station, the line is mainly used by freight trains.
The station viewed from the bridge, the former goods yard having houses constructed on it.
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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.
