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 station viewed from the bridge, the former goods yard having houses constructed on it.
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