Review of 2019
2019 has been a good year for railway station additions to the rail network. Four railway stations joined the network. Three were newly constructed served by regular mainline trains, with the fourth being a heritage railway station receiving a regular national rail service over several months. One railway station closed with a second being mothballed indefinitely.
A small number of projects were funded paving the way for detailed design and construction. Housing Infrastructure Funding was allocated towards Surrey Canal Road and Beaulieu Park enabling these long awaited projects to move forward.
Openings
Meridian Water – 3 June 2019
Brand new railway station added to the rail network on the railway line north of Stratford. The station replaced the poorly located Angel Road.
Bishops Lydeard – 27 July 2019
A heritage railway station on the West Somerset station, it gained a shuttle on certain dates in 2019.
Warrington West – 15 December 2019
A brand new station between Liverpool and Manchester, supporting new residential developments in the area.
Robroyston – 15 December 2019
A brand new station that enabled a major housing development near to J2 on the M80 on the line between Glasgow and Cumbernauld.
Closure
Angel Road – 31 May 2019 (replaced by Meridian Water)
Mothballed
Redcar British Steel – 14 December 2019
Light Rail
Midland Metro
The first phase of the Birmingham Westside extension of the Midland Metro to the Library stop on Centenary Square opened on 11 December 2019.
2020
2020 is looking positive with seven railway stations expected to join the national rail network. In addition, two light rail extensions are also expected to be completed.
Worcestershire Parkway
Postponed at short notice in December 2019, this station is expected to open early in 2020. It will be located where the Cotswold and Cross Country lines cross, with services to London, Cardiff and Nottingham.
Horden
Located between Sunderland and Hartlepool, this station is expected to open in spring 2020.
Kintore
With a May 2020 opening date, this station will be located between Aberdeen and Inverness.
Reading Green Park
On the railway line between Basingstoke and Reading, this station is expected to open in late 2020.
Bow Street
Located between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, this station is expected to open in the second half of 2020.
Portway Park and Ride
Located on the Severn Beach line north of Bristol, this station is currently pencilled in for a December 2020 opening.
Dalcross (Inverness Airport)
Located between Aberdeen and Inverness, Dalcross is expected to open in 2020.
Light Rail
Manchester Metrolink is expected to open its extension to Trafford Park in April 2020.
The Wolverhampton city centre extension of the Midland Metro is expected to open in 2020.