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Coordinates: 53°38′49″N 3°00′07″W / 53.647°N 3.002°W / 53.647; -3.002
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{{Short description|Railway station in Merseyside, England}}
{{About|the current railway station in Southport, England|the American railroad station|Southport (Metro-North station)|the closed railway station in Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside|Southport Lord Street railway station}}
{{About|the current station in England|the American railroad station|Southport (Metro-North station)|other uses|Southport station (disambiguation){{!}}Southport station}}

{{more citations needed|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox station
{{Infobox station
| name = Southport
| name = Southport
| symbol_location = gb
| symbol_location = gb
| symbol = rail
| symbol = rail
| image = Under_the_canopy,_Southport_Railway_Station_(geograph_2992983).jpg
| image = 150115 at Southport 11th March 2019.jpg
| borough = [[Southport]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]],
| image_caption = Southport Railway Station, March 2019
| borough = [[Southport]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Sefton|Sefton]],
⚫
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.647|-3.002|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.647|-3.002|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SD338171|25|SD338171}}
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SD338171|25|SD338171}}
| manager = [[Merseyrail]]
| symbol2 = liverpool
| platforms = 6
| manager = [[Merseyrail]]
| code = SOP
| platforms = 6
| zone = D1
| code = SOP
⚫
| zone = D1
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] D
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] D
| transit_authority = [[Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive|Merseytravel]]
| transit_authority = [[Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive|Merseytravel]]
⚫
| years = 22 August 1851
| events = Opened (as Southport Chapel Street)
| original = [[Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway]]
| pregroup = [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]
| mpassengers =
| postgroup = [[London Midland and Scottish Railway]]
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2015/16 |passengers={{increase}} 4.147 million |interchange={{pad|2em}} 33,385}}
| years = {{Startdate|1851|08|05|df=yes}}
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2016/17 |passengers={{increase}} 4.240 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 59,957}}
| events = Opened as Southport Chapel Street
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2017/18 |passengers={{decrease}} 4.140 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 79,470}}
⚫
| years1 = 5 May 1969
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{increase}} 4.272 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 65,271}}
| events1 = Renamed Southport
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 4.711 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 37,087}}
| mpassengers = {{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{increase}} 4.711 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 37,087}}

⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 1.267 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 4,401}}
⚫
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 3.094 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 13,212}}
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 3.340 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 16,208}}
⚫
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 3.481 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 10,810}}
⚫
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 14
}}
}}
{{Southport/Aintree lines}}
'''Southport railway station''' serves the town of [[Southport]], [[Merseyside]], England. The station is the terminal of the Southport branch of the [[Northern Line (Merseyrail)|Northern Line]] of the electric [[Merseyrail]] network, and the diesel-operated [[Manchester-Southport Line]]. It is the fourth busiest station on the Merseyrail network. The station and services to [[Liverpool]] and {{stnlnk|Hunts Cross}} are operated by Merseyrail, with [[Manchester]] services operated by [[Northern Trains]].
'''Southport railway station''' serves the town of [[Southport]], [[Merseyside]], England. The station is the terminal of the electricified Southport branch of the [[Northern Line (Merseyrail)|Northern Line]] of the electric [[Merseyrail]] network and the diesel-operated [[Manchester-Southport Line]]. It is the fourth busiest station on the Merseyrail network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Busiest stations in Britain |url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/popular-statistics/busiest-stations-in-britain/ }}</ref> The station and services to [[Liverpool]] and {{stnlnk|Hunts Cross}} are operated by Merseyrail, with [[Manchester]] services operated by [[Northern Trains]].


==History==
==History==
The Liverpool line was originally built in 1848 by the [[Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway]] to a temporary station at [[Southport Eastbank Street railway station|Eastbank Street]], about half a mile short of the current terminus. The current station opened as '''Southport Chapel Street''' on 22 August 1851, and became the terminus for all trains in 1857, when passenger services were transferred from the adjacent {{Stnlnk|Southport London Street}}.<ref>Gell, Rob (1986). ''An Illustrated Survey of Railway Stations Between Southport & Liverpool 1848-1986''. Heyday Publishing Company, {{ISBN|0-947562-04-4}}.</ref>
The [[Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway]] (LC&SR) opened a line on 24 July 1848 from [[Liverpool]] to a temporary station at [[Southport Eastbank Street railway station|Eastbank Street]], about half a mile short of the current terminus.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=424}}


The LC&SR line was extended on 5 August 1851 to the current station which opened as '''Southport Chapel Street'''.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=424}} The LC&SR refused to allow the [[Manchester and Southport Railway]] (M&SR) to use its station and therefore the [[East Lancashire Railway]] (ELR) (one of the co-owners of the M&SR) built {{rws|Southport London Street}} station next door.{{sfn|Marshall|1969|p=158}}
⚫
From 1882 the [[West Lancashire Railway]] to [[Preston Fishergate Hill]] operated from [[Southport Derby Road railway station|Southport Derby Road]] (later known as Southport Central) outside Chapel Street Station.


London Street station was closed on 1 April 1857 and passenger services were transferred to Chapel Street.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=424}}{{sfn|Gell|1986}}
⚫
In 1884, another line from Southport to Liverpool was opened: the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]]'s (CLC) [[North Liverpool Extension Line]] from [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]] to [[Southport Lord Street railway station|Southport Lord Street]]. The West Lancashire Railway sponsored the [[Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway]] to provide a connection to the CLC line, joining it at {{Stnlnk|Altcar and Hillhouse}}. These lines ultimately proved uncompetitive, however, and the Southport services were withdrawn in January 1952.<ref>Marshall, J (1981). ''Forgotten Railways: North West England''. David & Charles (Publishers) Ltd, Newton Abbott. {{ISBN|0-7153-8003-6}}; p 80</ref>


⚫
From 1882 the [[West Lancashire Railway]] opened a line from {{rws|Southport Derby Road}} (later known as {{rws|Southport Central}} and situated close to Chapel Street Station) to {{rws|Preston Fishergate Hill}}.{{sfn|Marshall|1969|p=167}}
⚫
In July 1897, both the West Lancashire and the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railways were absorbed into the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] (L&Y). The L&Y had a large terminus at Southport Chapel Street and could see no sense in operating two termini at very close proximity. On 1 May 1901 the L&Y completed a remodelling of the approach lines to Southport Central to allow trains to divert onto the Manchester to Southport line and into Southport Chapel Street Station. [[Southport Central railway station|Southport Central]] was closed to passengers and it became a goods depot eventually amalgamating with Chapel Street depot.<ref>[http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/southport_central/ Disused Stations - Southport Central]''Disused Stations''; Retrieved 2013-11-18</ref> It survived intact well into the 1970s. In 1904, the line from Liverpool was [[third rail|electrified]] by the L&YR, which also extended the third rail out as far as Crossens on the WLR line to Preston that year and out to {{rws|Meols Cop}} in 1909.


⚫
In 1884, another line from Southport to Liverpool opened: the [[Cheshire Lines Committee]]'s (CLC) [[North Liverpool Extension Line]] from {{rws|Liverpool Central}} to {{rws|Southport Lord Street}}.{{sfn|Holt|Biddle|1986|p=77}} The West Lancashire Railway sponsored the [[Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway]] to provide a connection to the CLC line, joining it at {{rws|Altcar and Hillhouse}}.{{sfn|Holt|Biddle|1986|p=78}} These lines ultimately proved uncompetitive, however, and the Southport services were withdrawn in January 1952.{{sfn|Marshall|1981|pp=80–81}}
⚫
The Preston line was closed to passengers on 7 September 1964,<ref>Marshall, J (1981). ''Forgotten Railways: North West England''. David & Charles (Publishers) Ltd, Newton Abbott. {{ISBN|0-7153-8003-6}}; p.152</ref> although a small section to Hesketh Park station was used for freight until 1967. This line had its electric local services to [[Crossens railway station|Crossens]] and its through steam services withdrawn on consecutive days immediately before the official closure date - the only such route to suffer that fate during the [[Richard Beeching|Beeching]]-era closures. Nowadays, the towns of Southport and Preston are linked only by the (largely dual-carriageway) [[A565 road|A565]] and [[A59 road|A59]] roads.


⚫
In July 1897, both the West Lancashire and the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railways were absorbed into the [[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]] (L&Y).{{sfn|Grant|2017|pp=321 & 599}} The L&Y had a large terminus at Southport Chapel Street and could see no sense in operating two termini at very close proximity. On 1 May 1901, the L&Y completed a remodelling of the approach lines to Southport Central to allow trains to divert onto the Manchester to Southport line and into Southport Chapel Street Station. {{rws|Southport Central}} was closed to passengers, and it became a goods depot, eventually amalgamating with Chapel Street depot.{{sfn|Marshall|1969|p=172}} It survived intact well into the 1970s.
⚫
At its largest, Chapel Street station had eleven regular platforms and two excursion platforms. Now six truncated platforms are in use (platforms 1-3 for Liverpool trains & 4-6 for Manchester), the rest having been demolished and the land used for car parking. In 1970 the former terminal building was replaced with a shopping centre. Platform 7 was originally going to be saved and used as an excursion platform for when mainline specials were to visit the resort but this failed and it too was demolished along with platforms 8, 9 & 10.


In 1904, the line from Liverpool was [[third rail|electrified]] by the L&YR, which also extended the third rail out as far as {{rws|Crossens}} on the WLR line to Preston that year and out to {{rws|Meols Cop}} in 1909.{{sfn|Gell|1986}}{{sfn|Gleaves|2015|p=29}}
⚫
Remains of the [[signal box]], carriage & wagon works & sub station are still visible today.


In 1914 the station was enlarged taking in the land to the side of London Street which involved demolishing the former ELR station, the London Street excursion platforms were built about the same time (although called London Street, they were actually platforms belonging to Chapel Street station).{{sfn|Marshall|1969|p=173}}
⚫
The sidings next to the former South Curve still remain today but are not much used except for if a unit or engine needs turning.

⚫
The Preston line was closed to passengers on 7 September 1964,{{sfn|Marshall|1981|p=152}} although a small section to Hesketh Park station was used for freight until 1967. This line had its electric local services to {{rws|Crossens}} and its through steam services withdrawn on consecutive days immediately before the official closure date - the only such route to suffer that fate during the [[Richard Beeching|Beeching]]-era closures. Nowadays, the towns of Southport and Preston are linked only by the (largely dual-carriageway) [[A565 road|A565]] and [[A59 road|A59]] roads.

⚫
At its largest, Chapel Street station had eleven regular platforms and two excursion platforms. Now six truncated platforms are in use (platforms 1-3 for Liverpool trains & 4-6 for Manchester), the rest having been demolished and the land used for car parking. In 1970 the former terminal building was replaced with a shopping centre. Platform 7 was originally going to be saved and used as an excursion platform for when mainline specials were to visit the resort, but this failed, and it, too, was demolished along with platforms 8, 9 & 10.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

⚫
Remains of the [[signal box]], carriage & wagon works & substation are still visible today.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

⚫
The sidings next to the former South Curve still remain today but are not much used except for if a unit or engine needs turning.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

⚫
A new ''M to Go'' shop opened in 2007, incorporating a ticket office, and the station itself underwent a £3.5&nbsp;million renovation project which included a renewed roof, new lighting, glazed screens, floor tiles and toilets, plus a retail unit.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120910161416/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=3412&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=5 "Station transformation well under way"], [[Network Rail]], 6 November 2007. Retrieved on 8 May 2008.</ref>


⚫
A new ''M to Go'' shop opened in 2007, incorporating a ticket office, and the station itself underwent a £3.5&nbsp;million renovation project which included a renewed roof, new lighting, glazed screens, floor tiles and toilets plus a retail unit.<ref>[https://archive.is/20120910161416/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=3412&NewsAreaID=2&SearchCategoryID=5 "Station transformation well under way"], [[Network Rail]], 6 November 2007. Retrieved on 8 May 2008.</ref>


== Facilities ==
== Facilities ==
Line 58: Line 74:
The main entrance to this staffed station is located on the pedestrianised Chapel Street, one of Southport's main shopping areas. The car park immediately next to the station is reserved for taxis and staff only, but a large pay car park further along London Street is available for general public use.<ref>[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sop/details.html#Current_Station_Information Station facilities at Southport station], [[National Rail]]. Retrieved 9 June 2008.</ref>
The main entrance to this staffed station is located on the pedestrianised Chapel Street, one of Southport's main shopping areas. The car park immediately next to the station is reserved for taxis and staff only, but a large pay car park further along London Street is available for general public use.<ref>[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sop/details.html#Current_Station_Information Station facilities at Southport station], [[National Rail]]. Retrieved 9 June 2008.</ref>


The station is staffed 15 minutes before the first service and 15 minutes after the last service. There are toilets, platform CCTV and a Mtogo shop & booking office. There are departure and arrival screens on the platform for passenger information There are cycle racks for 16 cycles and secure storage for 80 cycles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southport train station {{!}} timetable {{!}} ticket prices & facilities|url=http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/southport.aspx|website=www.merseyrail.org|access-date=25 February 2017|language=en}}</ref>
The station is staffed 15 minutes before the first service and 15 minutes after the last service. There are toilets, platform CCTV and a Mtogo shop & booking office. There are departure and arrival screens on the platform for passenger information. There are cycle racks for 16 cycles and secure storage for 80 cycles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southport train station {{!}} timetable {{!}} ticket prices & facilities|url=http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/southport.aspx|website=www.merseyrail.org|access-date=25 February 2017|language=en}}</ref>


== Services ==
== Services ==
Line 64: Line 80:
=== Merseyrail ===
=== Merseyrail ===


Monday to Saturday, trains depart every 15 minutes to [[Hunts Cross railway station|Hunts Cross]] via [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]].<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2018|103}}</ref>
Monday to Saturday, trains depart every 15 minutes to [[Hunts Cross railway station|Hunts Cross]] via [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]].<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2023|82}}</ref>


Fewer trains operate on Sundays, with the frequency reduced to one service every 30 minutes, except during the summer, when the service is four trains per hour, two of these services terminate at [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool Central]], with the remaining two continuing to [[Hunts Cross railway station|Hunts Cross]].
Fewer trains operate on Sundays, with the frequency reduced to one service every 30 minutes.


Merseyrail services can utilise only the electrified platforms. These are Platforms 1, 2 and 3. Platforms 2 and 3 are used more frequently than Platform 1.
Merseyrail services can utilise only the electrified platforms. These are Platforms 1, 2 and 3. Platforms 2 and 3 are used more frequently than Platform 1.
Line 72: Line 88:
=== Northern Trains ===
=== Northern Trains ===


The Monday to Saturday service pattern underwent a major revamp at the May 2018 timetable change, with the loss of all direct trains to {{rws|Bolton}} and [[Manchester Piccadilly]], except for two a.m peak trains to {{rws|Alderley Edge}}. The basic pattern was 2tph to [[Manchester Victoria]] via Wigan Wallgate and {{rws|Atherton}}, which then continue to {{rws|Rochdale}} and then alternately to {{rws|Blackburn}} via the [[East Lancashire Line]] or {{rws|Leeds}} via {{rws|Brighouse}}. Travellers for destinations on the south side of Manchester (such as {{rws|Manchester Airport}} or Stockport) had to change at {{rws|Hindley}} or {{rws|Salford Crescent}}. On Sundays there is an hourly service to Blackburn via Wigan and Manchester Victoria.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2019|82}}</ref>
The Monday to Saturday service pattern underwent a major revamp at the May 2018 timetable change, with the loss of all direct trains to {{rws|Bolton}} and [[Manchester Piccadilly]], except for two a.m peak trains to {{rws|Alderley Edge}}. The basic pattern was 2tph to [[Manchester Victoria]] via Wigan Wallgate and {{rws|Atherton}}, which then continued to {{rws|Rochdale}} and then alternately to {{rws|Blackburn}} via the [[East Lancashire Line]] or {{rws|Leeds}} via {{rws|Brighouse}}. Travellers for destinations on the south side of Manchester (such as {{rws|Manchester Airport}} or Stockport) had to change at {{rws|Hindley}} or {{rws|Salford Crescent}}. On Sundays, there is an hourly service to Blackburn via Wigan and Manchester Victoria.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2018|82}}</ref>


From the winter 2019 timetable change the timetable has been revamped again on weekdays and Saturdays, with all trains running via {{rws|Bolton}} off-peak and serving both main Manchester terminals. One runs to {{rws|Alderley Edge}} via [[Manchester Piccadilly]] and Stockport, whilst the other runs to Manchester Victoria and onward to {{rws|Stalybridge}}. Direct service to stations on the Atherton line will only operate in the weekday peaks and passengers wishing to travel towards Rochdale and further east will need to change at Wigan Wallgate.<ref>[https://d2cf7kiw5xizhy.cloudfront.net/images/timetables/2019-10/dec-may-timetables/Northern_14_booklet_1219_36pp.pdf Northern Timetable 14 - Manchester to Southport and Kirkby 15 December 2019 - 16 May 2020] ''Northern''; Retrieved 29 November 2019</ref> The Sunday service pattern remains unchanged.
From the winter 2019 timetable change, the timetable was revamped again on weekdays and Saturdays, with all trains running via {{rws|Bolton}} off-peak and serving both main Manchester terminals. One ran to {{rws|Alderley Edge}} via [[Manchester Piccadilly]] and Stockport, whilst the other runs to Manchester Victoria and onward to {{rws|Stalybridge}}. Direct services to stations on the Atherton line no longer run and passengers wishing to travel towards Rochdale and further east have to change at Wigan Wallgate.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2023|101}}</ref> The Sunday service pattern remains unchanged, with the hourly service to Manchester and Blackburn running via Atherton. Connections for Westhoughton and Bolton can be made at Hindley.

From the December 2022 timetable change, services to Alderley Edge stopped and now terminate at [[Manchester Oxford Road railway station|Manchester Oxford Road]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetable change December 2022 |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/december22 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=www.northernrailway.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>


Northern Trains services normally depart from platforms 4, 5 or 6, although services can also use platform 3 if required.
Northern Trains services normally depart from platforms 4, 5 or 6, although services can also use platform 3 if required.
Line 80: Line 98:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==Bibliography==

*{{cite book |last=Gell |first=Rob |year=1986 |title=An Illustrated Survey of Railway Stations Between Southport & Liverpool 1848-1986 |publisher=Heyday Publishing Company |isbn=0-947562-04-4 |postscript=. (No page numbers.)}}
*{{cite book |last=Gleaves |first=Graeme |title=Electric Railways of Liverpool and Manchester |date=2015 |publisher=Amberley |isbn=978-1-4456-3989-5}}
*{{Grant-RailCo}}
*{{Holt-NorthWest}}
*{{cite book |last=Marshall |first=John |author-link=John Marshall (railway historian) |date=1969 |volume=1 |title=The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway |location=Newton Abbot |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=978-0-7153-4352-4 }}
*{{cite book |last=Marshall |first=John |date=1981 |title=Forgotten Railways:North-West England |publisher=David & Charles |url=https://archive.org/details/forgottenrailway0000mars |url-access=registration |isbn=0-7153-8003-6 }}
*{{Quick-stations-5.05}}
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Southport railway station}}
{{Commons category|Southport railway station}}
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{{rail line
{{rail line
|next=[[Meols Cop railway station|Meols Cop]]<br /><small>towards {{Stnlnk|Wigan Wallgate}}</small>
|next=[[Meols Cop railway station|Meols Cop]]<br /><small>towards {{Stnlnk|Wigan Wallgate}}</small>
|route=[[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]]<br /><small>[[Manchester-Southport Line]]</small>
|route=[[Northern Trains]]<br /><small>[[Manchester-Southport Line|Manchester Victoria-Southport]] or</small><br /><small>Manchester Oxford Rd-Southport</small>
|col={{Northern colour}} }}
|col={{Northern colour}} }}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
{{Historical Rail Insert}}
Line 109: Line 134:


[[Category:Railway stations in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton]]
[[Category:DfT Category D stations]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Southport]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Southport]]
[[Category:Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Merseyrail]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Merseyrail]]
[[Category:Northern franchise railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1851]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1851]]

Latest revision as of 00:32, 25 November 2024

This article is about the current station in England. For the American railroad station, see Southport (Metro-North station). For other uses, see Southport station.

Southport
National Rail Merseyrail
Southport Railway Station, March 2019
General information
LocationSouthport, Sefton,
England
Coordinates53°38′49″N 3°00′07″W / 53.647°N 3.002°W / 53.647; -3.002
Grid referenceSD338171
Managed byMerseyrail
Transit authorityMerseytravel
Platforms6
Other information
Station codeSOP
Fare zoneD1
ClassificationDfT category D
History
Original companyLiverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway
Pre-groupingLancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Post-groupingLondon Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
5 August 1851 (1851-08-05)Opened as Southport Chapel Street
5 May 1969Renamed Southport
Passengers
2019/20Increase 4.711 million
 Interchange Decrease 37,087
2020/21Decrease 1.267 million
 Interchange Decrease 4,401
2021/22Increase 3.094 million
 Interchange Increase 13,212
2022/23Increase 3.340 million
 Interchange Increase 16,208
2023/24Increase 3.481 million
 Interchange Decrease 10,810
Location
Map
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Southport railway station serves the town of Southport, Merseyside, England. The station is the terminal of the electricified Southport branch of the Northern Line of the electric Merseyrail network and the diesel-operated Manchester-Southport Line. It is the fourth busiest station on the Merseyrail network.[1] The station and services to Liverpool and Hunts Cross are operated by Merseyrail, with Manchester services operated by Northern Trains.

History

[edit]

The Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway (LC&SR) opened a line on 24 July 1848 from Liverpool to a temporary station at Eastbank Street, about half a mile short of the current terminus.[2]

The LC&SR line was extended on 5 August 1851 to the current station which opened as Southport Chapel Street.[2] The LC&SR refused to allow the Manchester and Southport Railway (M&SR) to use its station and therefore the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) (one of the co-owners of the M&SR) built Southport London Street station next door.[3]

London Street station was closed on 1 April 1857 and passenger services were transferred to Chapel Street.[2][4]

From 1882 the West Lancashire Railway opened a line from Southport Derby Road (later known as Southport Central and situated close to Chapel Street Station) to Preston Fishergate Hill.[5]

In 1884, another line from Southport to Liverpool opened: the Cheshire Lines Committee's (CLC) North Liverpool Extension Line from Liverpool Central to Southport Lord Street.[6] The West Lancashire Railway sponsored the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railway to provide a connection to the CLC line, joining it at Altcar and Hillhouse.[7] These lines ultimately proved uncompetitive, however, and the Southport services were withdrawn in January 1952.[8]

In July 1897, both the West Lancashire and the Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction Railways were absorbed into the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&Y).[9] The L&Y had a large terminus at Southport Chapel Street and could see no sense in operating two termini at very close proximity. On 1 May 1901, the L&Y completed a remodelling of the approach lines to Southport Central to allow trains to divert onto the Manchester to Southport line and into Southport Chapel Street Station. Southport Central was closed to passengers, and it became a goods depot, eventually amalgamating with Chapel Street depot.[10] It survived intact well into the 1970s.

In 1904, the line from Liverpool was electrified by the L&YR, which also extended the third rail out as far as Crossens on the WLR line to Preston that year and out to Meols Cop in 1909.[4][11]

In 1914 the station was enlarged taking in the land to the side of London Street which involved demolishing the former ELR station, the London Street excursion platforms were built about the same time (although called London Street, they were actually platforms belonging to Chapel Street station).[12]

The Preston line was closed to passengers on 7 September 1964,[13] although a small section to Hesketh Park station was used for freight until 1967. This line had its electric local services to Crossens and its through steam services withdrawn on consecutive days immediately before the official closure date - the only such route to suffer that fate during the Beeching-era closures. Nowadays, the towns of Southport and Preston are linked only by the (largely dual-carriageway) A565 and A59 roads.

At its largest, Chapel Street station had eleven regular platforms and two excursion platforms. Now six truncated platforms are in use (platforms 1-3 for Liverpool trains & 4-6 for Manchester), the rest having been demolished and the land used for car parking. In 1970 the former terminal building was replaced with a shopping centre. Platform 7 was originally going to be saved and used as an excursion platform for when mainline specials were to visit the resort, but this failed, and it, too, was demolished along with platforms 8, 9 & 10.[citation needed]

Remains of the signal box, carriage & wagon works & substation are still visible today.[citation needed]

The sidings next to the former South Curve still remain today but are not much used except for if a unit or engine needs turning.[citation needed]

A new M to Go shop opened in 2007, incorporating a ticket office, and the station itself underwent a £3.5 million renovation project which included a renewed roof, new lighting, glazed screens, floor tiles and toilets, plus a retail unit.[14]


Facilities

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Two Merseyrail Class 507 units stand in Platforms 2 and 3.
A Northern Rail-liveried Class 156 stands in Platform 5.
LMS 8F 2-8-0 no 48151 at Southport's Chapel Street station after working "The Roses Express" on Wed 4th April 2012.

The main entrance to this staffed station is located on the pedestrianised Chapel Street, one of Southport's main shopping areas. The car park immediately next to the station is reserved for taxis and staff only, but a large pay car park further along London Street is available for general public use.[15]

The station is staffed 15 minutes before the first service and 15 minutes after the last service. There are toilets, platform CCTV and a Mtogo shop & booking office. There are departure and arrival screens on the platform for passenger information. There are cycle racks for 16 cycles and secure storage for 80 cycles.[16]

Services

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Merseyrail

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Monday to Saturday, trains depart every 15 minutes to Hunts Cross via Liverpool Central.[17]

Fewer trains operate on Sundays, with the frequency reduced to one service every 30 minutes.

Merseyrail services can utilise only the electrified platforms. These are Platforms 1, 2 and 3. Platforms 2 and 3 are used more frequently than Platform 1.

Northern Trains

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The Monday to Saturday service pattern underwent a major revamp at the May 2018 timetable change, with the loss of all direct trains to Bolton and Manchester Piccadilly, except for two a.m peak trains to Alderley Edge. The basic pattern was 2tph to Manchester Victoria via Wigan Wallgate and Atherton, which then continued to Rochdale and then alternately to Blackburn via the East Lancashire Line or Leeds via Brighouse. Travellers for destinations on the south side of Manchester (such as Manchester Airport or Stockport) had to change at Hindley or Salford Crescent. On Sundays, there is an hourly service to Blackburn via Wigan and Manchester Victoria.[18]

From the winter 2019 timetable change, the timetable was revamped again on weekdays and Saturdays, with all trains running via Bolton off-peak and serving both main Manchester terminals. One ran to Alderley Edge via Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport, whilst the other runs to Manchester Victoria and onward to Stalybridge. Direct services to stations on the Atherton line no longer run and passengers wishing to travel towards Rochdale and further east have to change at Wigan Wallgate.[19] The Sunday service pattern remains unchanged, with the hourly service to Manchester and Blackburn running via Atherton. Connections for Westhoughton and Bolton can be made at Hindley.

From the December 2022 timetable change, services to Alderley Edge stopped and now terminate at Manchester Oxford Road.[20]

Northern Trains services normally depart from platforms 4, 5 or 6, although services can also use platform 3 if required.

References

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  1. ^ "Busiest stations in Britain".
  2. ^ a b c Quick 2023, p. 424.
  3. ^ Marshall 1969, p. 158.
  4. ^ a b Gell 1986.
  5. ^ Marshall 1969, p. 167.
  6. ^ Holt & Biddle 1986, p. 77.
  7. ^ Holt & Biddle 1986, p. 78.
  8. ^ Marshall 1981, pp. 80–81.
  9. ^ Grant 2017, pp. 321 & 599.
  10. ^ Marshall 1969, p. 172.
  11. ^ Gleaves 2015, p. 29.
  12. ^ Marshall 1969, p. 173.
  13. ^ Marshall 1981, p. 152.
  14. ^ "Station transformation well under way", Network Rail, 6 November 2007. Retrieved on 8 May 2008.
  15. ^ Station facilities at Southport station, National Rail. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  16. ^ "Southport train station | timetable | ticket prices & facilities". www.merseyrail.org. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  17. ^ Table 82 National Rail timetable, May 2023
  18. ^ Table 82 National Rail timetable, May 2018
  19. ^ Table 101 National Rail timetable, May 2023
  20. ^ "Timetable change December 2022". www.northernrailway.co.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2022.

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Southport railway station.
Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Terminus   Merseyrail
Northern Line 		  Birkdale
towards Hunts Cross
Terminus   Northern Trains
Manchester Victoria-Southport or
Manchester Oxford Rd-Southport 		  Meols Cop
towards Wigan Wallgate
  Historical railways  
Terminus   Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Manchester and Southport Railway 		  St Luke's
Line open, station closed
  Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
West Lancashire Railway 		 
  Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Liverpool, Southport and
Preston Junction Railway 		 
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