Finally! I get a local station (I'm on the Camp Hill Line). We're still being promised it this year but I think your estimate is probably more realistic. And we got to vote for all of the station names. Pineapple Road was actually quite contentious as a large amount of the community wanted a different name to reflect the area it is located in rather than the street name (and was also the name of the station that originally was there before WWII).
@@meliaelentari well, thankfully its Network Rail, TfWM and Volker Fitzpatrick (who have diverted workers from University to get Camp Hill finished by December fingers crossed) that will deliver the stations and not WMR.
I am looking forward to the Levenmouth rail link opening in spring 2024, I will also look out for you Geoff when you visit both Leven and Cameron Bridge stations.
When we have so much resistance to passenger rail in the (midwestern) US, it's so awesome to see this sort of long term commitment to improving passenger rail in the UK.
If only the private train operators actually wanted to run services on them. The government subsidises them if they run or not so they have little incentive to give a poop, sadly.
@@TalesOfWar I think that paying operators based on the number of seats per hour on a per station basis would be a good way to: • Encourage operators to stop more trains and • Encourage operators to use longer trains. Then you need to get the government to drop the ticket prices, with the aim of filling up as many seats as possible. Ideally, the train operating companies need to be replaced by local transport authorities (like TfL or Merseytransport) that are all owned and run by locally elected government bodies, with each of those government bodies given funding deals that are based primarily on creating modal shift away from cars and onto public transport. And ideally the national operating company needs to be owned and run by the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliiament and some sort of democratic body that represents the people of England (if not an English Parlament, then something where the city mayors and county mayors have control) and given funding deals that are based primarily on creating modal shift away from motorway use and domestic flights and onto high speed railway lines and existing InterCity services. I don't know exactly what needs to be done in Northern Ireland, but it obviously needs to be done in association with the Republic of Ireland, as it's better to have trains and buses crossing the border, rather than have NI cars polluting the Republic and have RoI cars polluting Northern Ireland. (There is at least one line that closed due to the border crossing the line in multiple places. So maybe negotiations could be done to create railway enclaves/exclaves and to permanently hand control of some of that land over to a joint body that acts in the interest of restoring train services that support people on both sides of the border.) Trains (and trams and buses) are the way that we can do the decarbonisation things that multiple climate change conferences have agreed we need to do. And they are also the way we can reduce pollution in and around cities, transform rat runs into low traffic neighbourhoods and have a joined up strategy that supports things like "cycle and ride" that are seen as "too difficult" at the moment. But, they are not difficult at all. We just need to provide funding for the things that will make improved services happpen...and remove obstacles that stand in the way of improvements happening.
New stations are great, but what you won't see from Geoff's channel is just how badly the trains are ran outside of London. Every other train is cancelled, often on the day with little warning with no alternative. Trains often delayed by 30-60 minutes. Rush hour commute trains are severely impacted, instead of 6 carriages, only 3 will arrive. Prices for tickets rise every single year with inflation, but services only get worse and worse.
It's good to see the Kings Heath station being built as the original one is fondly remembered by many people. The site unfortunately is now a huge Homebase but there are many photographs and pages that show what it was like.
@Greg Robson right... they blocked cars from taking alternate routes through kings heath to town, but didnt give an alternative. sometimes takes 2 hours for me to get to town on the 50 or 35
Beaulieu Park station is apparently opening late 2025. It’s between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel on the Great Eastern mainline. It has been coming for the last 40 odd years but preparatory work has started on its construction
I travel past the site of the new Beaulieu Parkway station on a daily basis and the amount of work looks immense. A short viaduct is probably first to cross a brook allowing the central passing loop to be constructed. Its quite impressive and I moved here in 1978 when the station was first mentioned. Great video as always Geoff.
Accidentally found your channel on TH-cam whilst researching the Elizabeth Line. Subscribed and really enjoying your in-depth research & information packed channel. Now dusting off the S.K Baker too see what’s changed and get out on the network again. 10 out of 10 👌🏻. Tim, Crewe.
Worth noting they're considering opening an existing freight line near me, that is an alternative route between Chesterfield and Sheffield. The barrow hill line will hopefully get a few new stations. Perhaps one or two of Staveley, Renishaw, Eckington, Killamarsh and maybe Beighton/Rother Valley park. Some time away yet mind.
And it’ll reopen Sheffield Victoria as a result which is great. It’d be even better if the line could in future thorough run to Deepcar & Stocksbridge.
Apart from the Portway Station, which should open in the spring, Geoff does not mention the others, because despite the Metrowest project being planned for around 10 years they will not open before 2025 at the earliest.
@@OhSome1HasThisNamethe only options now for the old alignments out of mangotsfield/fishponds is now either rip up the very popular cycling route there now or to bring back the trams which people want but the mayor will never let happen
I was waiting to see if Beaulieu Park station in Chelmsford made the cut! I remember talking about this proposed new station in a job interview in 2000.... I guess it's a few more years away yet.
Network rail reckon 2025 to complete Beaulieu Park (North Chelmsford) but the local council say late 2024. It is a large station with a big concourse (including retail & catering), three covered platforms with two passenger bridges, parking for 700 cars and 500 bikes, plus a bus terminus, so I guess that will take quite a while to build. Its badly needed as Chelmsford's main city centre station can be very crowded.
@@Pesmog I agree it's badly needed bit given how long it has taken NR so far I'm not convinced it will be 2 years time even with a year of disruptive possessions to get it built! And then will need to be enlarged in a few years as the loop isn't long enough for a freight train.
@@davidbull1914 I hear you David. I have a £1 bet with my brother that we will see a fourth platform at Beaulieu Park and a new 'Chelmsford South' Station in our lifetimes, just like they have been forced to do at Cambridge. 👍
As someone who uses Cottingley station a lot, I can confirm that once White Rose station opens, Cottingley is no longer being used with even the footbridge being removed (the only thing that connects the old and new estates in the area). I mentioned this to a TPE conductor who actually got mad hearing this
Amazing! Can’t wait for Brent Cross West to open! As I live in Herne Hill, I’ll be able to grab a Thameslink train towards St Albans all the way there! 🎉🎉 Also keep up the good content!
Ashley Down in Bristol is touted as opening in 2024 by some sources. I will assume you didn't include it here because you've correctly assessed the real-world likelihood of any project in Bristol, especially but not only transport related ones, completing on time is approximately zero.
You seem to have missed Winslow on the new East West Rail line between Oxford and (eventually) Cambridge. i.e the old 'Varsity Line'. However. the route East of Bedford is not yet settled as the original route has long since been built on.
Excellent explanatory video Geoff! After a lot of London-based improvements (eg. Crossrail, Battersea Power Station Station), it is great to see new stations and routes upcoming around the country. Besides, we have DLR and NTfL rolling stock to look forward to. PS - Geoff, will we get an update on NTfL soon? I believe the target was 2025. Thanks!
I'm surprised 3 others in the Bristol area that are in advanced stages/under construction weren't mentioned: Portishead, Pill and Ashley Down. I know Ashton Gate is in limbo. Cambridge South and Loundoun Square/Butetown are also under construction
Geoff was right not to mention the other stations in the Bristol area, despite 10 years of planning work they will not open until 2026 at the earliest.
@@clnre can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not 😂 but why does building a station take so long? Especially if the line is already there - I can only think that getting the utilities (water/gas etc) is what causes the hold up?
Thanks for this info. It will be interesting to see when these new stations actually open. I remember that last year u did a 6 part series on new stations that had recently opened. Is it possible for u to do a program about how these stations are going in terms of passenger numbers and timetabled services?
East Linton station is coming along nicely, I passed the station on my CrossCountry to Edinburgh. I couldn’t see too much of it as the train was speeding at 125mph.
Many thanks for the update Geoff! Excellent vids as always. Good to see a couple of enhancements to the Scotrail network - and sorry, as a grammar and pronunciation fanatic, it's "Lee-ven" in Fife. Not "Le-ven". And...any news on your, potentially, proposed Patreon adventure?
All very exciting - especially for the “Kingdom of Fife”! (wee technical note; Leven is pronounced “LEAVIN” as in “I’m leavin’ in the morning” - n.b. there’s no reason why anyone outside Scotland would know that so I offer it as a note not a criticism. I was also delighted that you mentioned the freight development in Northumberland. Any thoughts on some videos/films exploring freight? I know it’s a bit niche but I’d watch it! Anyways - thanks again for the update and looking forward to your next jaunt.
I could be wrong, but I believe construction started in January on the new Butetown/Loudoun Square station in Cardiff Bay as part of the South Wales Metro too :)
Geoff , you missed Chelmsford’s new station north of the current station to service the 8,000 house at Beaulieu . It’s definitely opening 2024 as received a letter from our local MP. Hope to see you there when it opens , I have been waiting 40- years for this new station
As well as the new White Rose station, Morley station platforms have been moved recently and a rebuild is underway to make it fully accessible and accommodate longer trains as part of Transpennine upgrade.
Love the graphics I wish Google maps would highlight Railway lines with thicker Black lines. On your Brent Cross West bit you included the Cricklewood to Neasden line which is mooted as a service to Hounslow should be ready in 2090
yo geoff, I am from Seaton Delaval on the new Northumberland line and getting a station for us is huge. It was originally proposed that this line be part of the metro network but having it be national rail is even better because it skips straight past the metro a way quicker way into town. It will get me there in 15-20 minutes instead of the almost hour it currently takes on the bus, whilst also having the connection with the metro at Northumberland Park to go to Whitley/Tynemouth (which btw on your metro video you pronounce wrong (in north eastern -mouth names the mouth is pronounced like mouth not muth)) etc. The service frequency will be less than the metro but is the same as the current bus frequency. One issue is that where the track goes through the village is where the old station used to be before the cuts which is where the village centre was 100 years ago. The village centre now however has migrated a mile south so the majority of people who live in Delaval won't be in easy walking distance of the station. The station at Bebside is similarly disconnected. When you say you wouldn't expect it "before the end of 2024" do you mean at least 2025 then? I seem to have seen December 2023 mostly but I have also seen a lot of 2024 too, but I haven't had any updates in a while, other than what I've seen at the construction site. PS Northumberland Park will also be the first national rail station in North Tyneside PPS you also pronounce Gosforth wrong (should be futh, not forth)
Good roundup! It's great to see new stations and even new lines opening - let's hope this continues in many other places currently lacking train services
9 months ish after this video was published: East Linton is scheduled to open in the second week of December '23, and the Levenmouth Railway is on track for Q1 '24.
Hi Geoff thanks for mentioning the new line that is getting put in between Leven & St Andrew’s very much appreciated. As it’s my neck of the woods. Although I stay in Falkland where some of Outlander was filmed. 👍
You forgot to feature in the re-opening of the Fleetwood line and potential tram-train and national rail stations at Baguley and Timperley in Greater Manchester.
Having lived in the North East for 9 years, I'm particularly pleased with the Ashington line (increasing the number of stations in Tyne & Wear to 8(!)) - this is a line that had been talked about in the past (in part) as a Metro extension, but am equally happy that mainline trains are coming back; will this mean the return of an Eastbound Bay platform at Newcastle Central?
@@daveharrison9107 To be fair, the Tyne and Wear metro does have 60 stations so that's a little disingenuous. But Exeter does have a very impressive suburban rail network for a city of its size. It beats Sheffield for example, a city over 4 times the size!
Thanks for this. Not sure if you are aware but Winslow station on the East-West railway is in an advanced stage of construction. Although technically it’s not a new station it is in a completely different location to the original. Not sure about the opening date yet.
I remember hearing about the new line to Leven in Fife will be opening in the near future. Can't wait to try that line out when it opens next year in 2024.
White rose has been crying out for a train station for years. I only wished they had built it when I used to have to commute there from Doncaster years ago. Now I work for TPE, I get to see it's progress nearly every week. Exciting stuff.
Also in progress is the Bletchley (on the West Coast Mainline) to Bicester route. It’ll stop at Winslow then terminating at Bicester. It’ll also go down to Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Aylesbury. Soon, it’ll be extended to Oxford Parkway and Oxford in West and to Cambridge in the East. 🎉
Willenhall is a reopening of a station that was closed in the 60s axe, albeit on the other side of the roadbridge to the West. Desperately needed, as are a lot of stations in the West Midlands to connect the huge number of relatively large towns which all have insane levels of road traffic. Will be just under 8 minutes to Wolverhampton and 20 minutes to Birmingham, two trains an hour each way.
Is there still one train a day direct between Wolverhampton and Walsall? It used to be hourly, but was virtually stopped hence the reopening of Willenhall station was delayed indefinitely.
Only every half an hour to Brum or Walsall possibly hour at first the quickest way depending on the M6 and therefore the A41, A454 and roads around the Darlaston, Moxley and Willenhall area Is the 529 every 7 minutes and not long to Willenhall or 529 and X51 or Tram from Darlaston 34/37/39 past Darlaston to Walsall X51 depending on the A34 and J7 to Brum or To Wolves 34/37/39 to Darlaston and 79 to Wolverhampton or 34/39/37 to Darlaston 79 to Either West Brom if the Tram Is down then 74 to Brum or 80/89 or potentially 4/4H/4M 3/3A to Smethwick, Sandwell and Dudley or Brum 74 directly to get the faster more frequent train to Brum or Wednesbury for what our Mayor thinks saves the problems can do no wrong the Tram. Apart from when's it down which has been often then it's the good old 79 and 74 or Train to the rescue. I really hope people use it but the Schedule doesn't suit commuters who if they miss the Train might as well remain on the Bus. If it was every 15 minutes it might be a threat more for Darlaston as the 79 is every 12 Minutes and takes 30 - 35 minutes to reach Wolverhampton or West Brom and 10 minutes to reach Wednesbury to get the Tram because from Darlaston Town Centre where the Bus Station is and you would have to drive through to get to The Station it Is 5 minutes on the Bus 34/37/39 which are every 6 minutes between Darlo and Walsall or 5 minutes in the Car 5 minute Walk From The Bus Stop over the Railway Bridge turn onto Cemetery Road and 2 minutes to get a ticket 3 minutes and your Train is there. Or Driving 2 minutes to find a space 2 minutes to grab stuff and lock it. 2 minutes to get Tickets and Paper Train is in 9 minutes. If the old Railway Tavern was still there and it was half hourly wait in the Pub have a quick Pint Walk 2 minutes or so and done. I'm not sure if it would have had to be demolished due to the Platform location I think the Station Building is opposite The Cemetery if not it will be where the Railway Taverns Beer Garden was
@@nigelkthomas9501I ay found it but it used to be 06:38AM on a Saturday Morning Wolverhampton to Walsall the only time the line is used Is Frieght due to Bescot being at the end or right now WCML Diverts mostly Avanti from Scotland and the North West going to London via the Trent Valley ie not serving Wolverhampton or Birmingham although Avanti use the line for some Wolverhampton to London Services and ECS to Birmingham from Oxley LNWR use it in prep for the stations for the New Street to Crewe Via Stoke Services I think 1 or 2 Services maybe only know again for familiarisation from Wolverhampton to Rugeley/Hendesford use the line to Walsall and I have seen 1 TFW Shrewsbury Birmingham Service apparently use it. Other than that it was the 06:38AM Wolverhampton to Walsall Train it used to be hourly daily until 2008 then I believe weekdays a twice daily return then twice daily on Saturday at 06:38AM WVH - WSL 19:38 return then just 1 way 06:38AM now other than diverts nothing that is stopping anyway
I was expecting Winslow to get a mention but maybe that won't open until after 2024. The site is certainly nearing completion but tracks are still being laid. There is a lot more work to do yet before the line itself opens.
There was one being built currently between Leeds and York on the Loop Line [Harrogate], named Woodside Quarry to serve the new industrial estate which is replacing the now demolished quarry.
@@peterjones3557 They didn't fully demolish it, they demolished all the bumps on it as they're currently working on a new residential area! This means a lot more people will be able to live in it.
The new station White Rose is very controversial because it will be replacing the Cottingley station which is conveniently located in the middle of the town and the new white rose station will be out in the middle of nowhere. Even the white rose shopping centre it’s being built for is going to be a 10 minute walk away. Residents are not happy.
With the amount of traffic congestion everywhere these days, its nice to see some places re-opening having been closed by Beeching and indeed completely new ones. I'm not sure when the Oxford to Bletchley line will be fully reopened but I see there are new stations being constructed which roughly replace ones closed in the 60s. Plus new track bed and new track. Could see those opening sometime in the next couple of years too.
Indeed. And though it'd be a push for the rest of East-West Rail (Varsity Line) to be reinstated in the time frame, work on building a new station at Cambridge South commenced last month, expected opening date 2025. Up North, funding is secured to reopen Cheadle station (near Stockport) on the mid-Cheshire line. That's also expected for 2025.
Work is well advanced on the line between Bicester and Bletchley. The Bletchley overpass has been rebuilt, the new Bletchley High Level has been built and is being fitted out and, the new re-sited Winslow station will be completed this year. Further along the line towards Bedford, plans are being finalised to close some of the level crossings and Bedford St. Johns station may be re-sited depending on what the route between Bedford and Cambridge being determined.
That last bit about the new line in Northumberland is really helpful. We're currently doing an electoral review of the area and I was aware of the new housing developments in that area but not the planned new stations. I can now feed that into our thinking about the electoral boundaries in the area.
When I thought I’d almost visited all the stations in the West Midlands 5 more are going to be opening in the next 2 years or so lol. Thanks for the update Geoff!
I've been watching them build White Rose station from my desk at work. I'm only in the office a few days a month and haven't see a great deal happening except the workers in orange hi Vis on the line. I'm not sure how popular it will be for the shopping centre as it's a bit of a walk, it should be handy for the office park... for all the offices which are empty or only have people attending a few days a month! But I think access will be better than Cottingley, as the new station will have step free access and I don't think Cottingley has.
It's one of those "you either know it or you don't" names; people with a knowledge of the history of football would remember the club that played there (Vale of Leven) and would remember the right pronunciation.
Amazing, thank you! What font do you use for the station names in the video please? It looks just like the one Network Rail and the TOCs use but I can never find out what it is. Amazing to hear al of these new stations opening soon.
Liverpool Echo also reported on Merseyrail adding a new station called Baltic to serve the up-and-coming area of The Baltic triangle. It was also the site of Liverpool St James but shut around 1915 (reason for the name change is due to it being too similar with the James Street Station on the Wirral Line). the station is due to open in 2024.
Beaulieu Park railway station in Chelmsford, Essex is set to open from next year and will have 3 platforms and Greater Anglia trains to stop at the new station coming to & from London Liverpool St, Braintree, Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich and Clacton-on-Sea. Not to mention Cambridge South that is to have 4 platforms and is situated to the south of Cambridge city centre and will serve Cambridge Biological Centre and the 2 hospitals nearby.
I'm guessing this means that Winslow (East West Rail) isn't likely to open for a while...? Other ones I can think of either approved or under construction - Wixams (MML near Bedford) - Portishead (Portishead branch, Bristol) - Pill (Portishead branch, Bristol) Feel free to suggest more I've forgotten!
When Reston was re opening, it was pointed out that Dunbar on the same line would lose some of its services to allow the same trains to call at Reston instead. I don't know how things have transpired but East Linton is on the same line too. I wonder what will happen. You must be very well prepared to make these extra info videos on the hoof.
Excellent content as usual. I'm sure you're aware of the other stations coming to Bristol for the MetroWest programme, namely; Ashley Down, Henbury and Filton North. Ashley Down is predicted to be open in 2024. However, when have these projects ever been conducted without delays... Great channel.
I was under the impression Cottingley was going to close, I certainly can't see it staying open when it's quite literally the other side of a viaduct from the new White Rose station and it is also not an accessible station as wheelchair, pram, etc. users cannot cross platforms. Was surprised at no mention of Morley's new station which is opening later this year. It's about 75m down the track from the current station but it's essentially a brand new station with new platforms, lifts and other facilities.
Hry Geoff, quick question. Do you think you'll ever ride the full EW rail link, assuming it gets opened at some point... between Oxford and Cambridge? Going to be going through the old least used station in Bedfordshire, Aspley Guise. It's a shame the entire line has now been mothballed with a replacement bus service...
It's great to see new stations and lines opening. Not to open old wounds but it's just a shame that some of the cuts that were made in the 1950's-60's and later were not given more foresight, or at the very least protection. As we're seeing a rebirth of rail with the congestion of cars at the moment and ironically the bus services that were meant to replace the rail are getting worse and worse and reduced. So bring us more rail is what I say! :)
The news is also that there'll be an additional railway station in Cambridge called Cambridge South! Unsure when it will be finished though but the work is said to start in a few months.
There used to be stations on the Camp Hill Line, it's great to have them back. They had a competition to pick the name of the station there and Pineapple Rd won.
Geoff can stand on a bridge and read a list of stations and still be one of the best TH-cam channels out there
Yes but he needs 4 shirts and a Jacket !
you are right
Ikr
Not sure if this is more a compliment to Geoff’s presenting skills or a comment on the dire state of TH-cam
Obviously a compliment, i guess 😆
Finally! I get a local station (I'm on the Camp Hill Line). We're still being promised it this year but I think your estimate is probably more realistic. And we got to vote for all of the station names. Pineapple Road was actually quite contentious as a large amount of the community wanted a different name to reflect the area it is located in rather than the street name (and was also the name of the station that originally was there before WWII).
I'm more triggered by the so-called Moseley Village station. It's 2023, not 1823. Moseley isn't a village.
WMR has been promising us new trains on the Cross City Line for the past three years, so don't hold your breath waiting for the new stations.
@@meliaelentari well, thankfully its Network Rail, TfWM and Volker Fitzpatrick (who have diverted workers from University to get Camp Hill finished by December fingers crossed) that will deliver the stations and not WMR.
@@DadgeCity I'm triggered by the apostrophe in Kings Heath and Kings Norton!
What kind of fiend wouldn't want a station to have such a cool, fruit related name??
Really excited to see your coverage on the levenmouth rail link! This is honestly a game changer for locals in the area.
I am looking forward to the Levenmouth rail link opening in spring 2024, I will also look out for you Geoff when you visit both Leven and Cameron Bridge stations.
When we have so much resistance to passenger rail in the (midwestern) US, it's so awesome to see this sort of long term commitment to improving passenger rail in the UK.
If only the private train operators actually wanted to run services on them. The government subsidises them if they run or not so they have little incentive to give a poop, sadly.
@@TalesOfWar I think that paying operators based on the number of seats per hour on a per station basis would be a good way to:
• Encourage operators to stop more trains and
• Encourage operators to use longer trains.
Then you need to get the government to drop the ticket prices, with the aim of filling up as many seats as possible.
Ideally, the train operating companies need to be replaced by local transport authorities (like TfL or Merseytransport) that are all owned and run by locally elected government bodies, with each of those government bodies given funding deals that are based primarily on creating modal shift away from cars and onto public transport.
And ideally the national operating company needs to be owned and run by the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliiament and some sort of democratic body that represents the people of England (if not an English Parlament, then something where the city mayors and county mayors have control) and given funding deals that are based primarily on creating modal shift away from motorway use and domestic flights and onto high speed railway lines and existing InterCity services.
I don't know exactly what needs to be done in Northern Ireland, but it obviously needs to be done in association with the Republic of Ireland, as it's better to have trains and buses crossing the border, rather than have NI cars polluting the Republic and have RoI cars polluting Northern Ireland. (There is at least one line that closed due to the border crossing the line in multiple places. So maybe negotiations could be done to create railway enclaves/exclaves and to permanently hand control of some of that land over to a joint body that acts in the interest of restoring train services that support people on both sides of the border.)
Trains (and trams and buses) are the way that we can do the decarbonisation things that multiple climate change conferences have agreed we need to do. And they are also the way we can reduce pollution in and around cities, transform rat runs into low traffic neighbourhoods and have a joined up strategy that supports things like "cycle and ride" that are seen as "too difficult" at the moment.
But, they are not difficult at all. We just need to provide funding for the things that will make improved services happpen...and remove obstacles that stand in the way of improvements happening.
New stations are great, but what you won't see from Geoff's channel is just how badly the trains are ran outside of London. Every other train is cancelled, often on the day with little warning with no alternative. Trains often delayed by 30-60 minutes. Rush hour commute trains are severely impacted, instead of 6 carriages, only 3 will arrive. Prices for tickets rise every single year with inflation, but services only get worse and worse.
@@MoPaTography Wait... trains run outside of London? Could have fooled me! lol
At least at most of the towns in Britain have train service
It's good to see the Kings Heath station being built as the original one is fondly remembered by many people. The site unfortunately is now a huge Homebase but there are many photographs and pages that show what it was like.
If it can reduce the number of people driving along the Alcester Road it can only be a good thing... the traffic is horrendous at peak times.
Joe Lycett will be delighted I'm sure 😂
@Greg Robson right... they blocked cars from taking alternate routes through kings heath to town, but didnt give an alternative. sometimes takes 2 hours for me to get to town on the 50 or 35
Beaulieu Park station is apparently opening late 2025. It’s between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel on the Great Eastern mainline. It has been coming for the last 40 odd years but preparatory work has started on its construction
Let's hope it isn't like electrification of the Pennine route! That's been promised for over a century at this point!
I travel past the site of the new Beaulieu Parkway station on a daily basis and the amount of work looks immense. A short viaduct is probably first to cross a brook allowing the central passing loop to be constructed. Its quite impressive and I moved here in 1978 when the station was first mentioned. Great video as always Geoff.
It's located In chelmsford
Brilliant!! So excited to check out the new routes in the Midlands 🎉
Accidentally found your channel on TH-cam whilst researching the Elizabeth Line. Subscribed and really enjoying your in-depth research & information packed channel. Now dusting off the S.K Baker too see what’s changed and get out on the network again. 10 out of 10 👌🏻. Tim, Crewe.
Worth noting they're considering opening an existing freight line near me, that is an alternative route between Chesterfield and Sheffield. The barrow hill line will hopefully get a few new stations. Perhaps one or two of Staveley, Renishaw, Eckington, Killamarsh and maybe Beighton/Rother Valley park. Some time away yet mind.
And it’ll reopen Sheffield Victoria as a result which is great. It’d be even better if the line could in future thorough run to Deepcar & Stocksbridge.
I really need a station at rother valley because it takes the piss to walk all the way down to woodhouse
@@lordgemini2376 I’ll believe THAT when I see it!
Geoff, love your videos! Was wondering how you create your maps? They’re always clear and easy to understand. Thanks!
Just drawn in good old Adobe Illustrator. Thanks for your kinds words!
Bristol will be interesting to see: Portway, Portishead line, Ashley Down plus the new Filton Airfield development
And Henbury
@@SAStarbucks good shout
shame so many of the former railway alignments in Bristol have been built over because otherwise its getting quite a good commuter rail network
Apart from the Portway Station, which should open in the spring, Geoff does not mention the others, because despite the Metrowest project being planned for around 10 years they will not open before 2025 at the earliest.
@@OhSome1HasThisNamethe only options now for the old alignments out of mangotsfield/fishponds is now either rip up the very popular cycling route there now or to bring back the trams which people want but the mayor will never let happen
I was waiting to see if Beaulieu Park station in Chelmsford made the cut! I remember talking about this proposed new station in a job interview in 2000.... I guess it's a few more years away yet.
Network rail reckon 2025 to complete Beaulieu Park (North Chelmsford) but the local council say late 2024. It is a large station with a big concourse (including retail & catering), three covered platforms with two passenger bridges, parking for 700 cars and 500 bikes, plus a bus terminus, so I guess that will take quite a while to build. Its badly needed as Chelmsford's main city centre station can be very crowded.
@@Pesmog When I lived in Essex 20 years ago they were talking about this station. Glad to see it's finally going ahead.
@@Pesmog I agree it's badly needed bit given how long it has taken NR so far I'm not convinced it will be 2 years time even with a year of disruptive possessions to get it built! And then will need to be enlarged in a few years as the loop isn't long enough for a freight train.
The diggers are already on site at Beaulieu
@@davidbull1914 I hear you David. I have a £1 bet with my brother that we will see a fourth platform at Beaulieu Park and a new 'Chelmsford South' Station in our lifetimes, just like they have been forced to do at Cambridge. 👍
Really looking forward to Reading Green Park as it’s on my local line, seeing its progress over the past 20 months has been interesting!
Brilliant informative video Geoff. Cannot wait to see the new stations opening in the West Midlands.
Looking forward to seeing these railway stations open and your videos from them!
As someone who uses Cottingley station a lot, I can confirm that once White Rose station opens, Cottingley is no longer being used with even the footbridge being removed (the only thing that connects the old and new estates in the area). I mentioned this to a TPE conductor who actually got mad hearing this
@Cal Alaera The footbridge at Cottingley is staying as it’s a footpath and has been there since the days of steam.
Amazing! Can’t wait for Brent Cross West to open! As I live in Herne Hill, I’ll be able to grab a Thameslink train towards St Albans all the way there! 🎉🎉 Also keep up the good content!
so happy for you, robin. 😍
@@scootmandem7373 thanks
I guess?
I’m in love with whoever that decided Pineapple Road should be the official road.
the locals were given a choice and it was unanimous
they put it to a vote to locals, "Hazewell" was considered, but Pineapple won!
Thanks for the amazing and useful content. Keep up the good work, Geoff. Can’t wait for another video👍
Thanks Geoff! Exciting to see how all these new stations will pan out and the benefits to their local communities.
Ashley Down in Bristol is touted as opening in 2024 by some sources. I will assume you didn't include it here because you've correctly assessed the real-world likelihood of any project in Bristol, especially but not only transport related ones, completing on time is approximately zero.
These videos are so helpful for Aussie backpackers like me. Thanks for posting.
You seem to have missed Winslow on the new East West Rail line between Oxford and (eventually) Cambridge. i.e the old 'Varsity Line'. However. the route East of Bedford is not yet settled as the original route has long since been built on.
Excellent explanatory video Geoff!
After a lot of London-based improvements (eg. Crossrail, Battersea Power Station Station), it is great to see new stations and routes upcoming around the country. Besides, we have DLR and NTfL rolling stock to look forward to.
PS - Geoff, will we get an update on NTfL soon? I believe the target was 2025. Thanks!
expect that to be significantly delayed because of the gov'ts refusal to fund TFL properly
I'm surprised 3 others in the Bristol area that are in advanced stages/under construction weren't mentioned: Portishead, Pill and Ashley Down. I know Ashton Gate is in limbo.
Cambridge South and Loundoun Square/Butetown are also under construction
Also Filton north is due to be completed in the next two years or so
Geoff was right not to mention the other stations in the Bristol area, despite 10 years of planning work they will not open until 2026 at the earliest.
@@clnre can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not 😂 but why does building a station take so long? Especially if the line is already there - I can only think that getting the utilities (water/gas etc) is what causes the hold up?
Wasn’t expecting marsh Barton but will make a nice addition to the Exmouth - Paignton line
Well this will keep you busy, Geoff! Great to see some investment in the rail network!
Superb filming and commentaries as per usual.
Thank you very much.
Superb update and graphics to show locations
Thanks for this info. It will be interesting to see when these new stations actually open. I remember that last year u did a 6 part series on new stations that had recently opened. Is it possible for u to do a program about how these stations are going in terms of passenger numbers and timetabled services?
East Linton station is coming along nicely, I passed the station on my CrossCountry to Edinburgh. I couldn’t see too much of it as the train was speeding at 125mph.
Many thanks for the update Geoff! Excellent vids as always. Good to see a couple of enhancements to the Scotrail network - and sorry, as a grammar and pronunciation fanatic, it's "Lee-ven" in Fife. Not "Le-ven". And...any news on your, potentially, proposed Patreon adventure?
All very exciting - especially for the “Kingdom of Fife”! (wee technical note; Leven is pronounced “LEAVIN” as in “I’m leavin’ in the morning” - n.b. there’s no reason why anyone outside Scotland would know that so I offer it as a note not a criticism.
I was also delighted that you mentioned the freight development in Northumberland. Any thoughts on some videos/films exploring freight? I know it’s a bit niche but I’d watch it!
Anyways - thanks again for the update and looking forward to your next jaunt.
I thought he had got it wrong , near where i live there is a river leven (leeven)
Hello Geoff, what about Winslow station on the East West Rail line, also track laying happening at the moment….. must be worth a video?
Thanks for the time between showing the map and the new station(s). I got to make a 'game' of guessing where the new station would go.
I could be wrong, but I believe construction started in January on the new Butetown/Loudoun Square station in Cardiff Bay as part of the South Wales Metro too :)
Geoff , you missed Chelmsford’s new station north of the current station to service the 8,000 house at Beaulieu . It’s definitely opening 2024 as received a letter from our local MP.
Hope to see you there when it opens , I have been waiting 40- years for this new station
As well as the new White Rose station, Morley station platforms have been moved recently and a rebuild is underway to make it fully accessible and accommodate longer trains as part of Transpennine upgrade.
It’s good to see you are still planning to keep your record for visiting all the stations in the UK
Hopefully reopening the Waterside branch from Southampton will get approved this year. Will mean new stations at Marchwood and Hythe
So good to see more stations opening my local stations are on the ebbw vale line a success since it opened in 2008
Love the graphics I wish Google maps would highlight Railway lines with thicker Black lines. On your Brent Cross West bit you included the Cricklewood to Neasden line which is mooted as a service to Hounslow should be ready in 2090
I use OpenStreetMap and use the "Transport map" layer, it shows a pretty plain map with all rail lines in bold black.
2090? Gosh, that's quick work for the UK!
This was a great and very informative video! More like this please!
yo geoff, I am from Seaton Delaval on the new Northumberland line and getting a station for us is huge. It was originally proposed that this line be part of the metro network but having it be national rail is even better because it skips straight past the metro a way quicker way into town. It will get me there in 15-20 minutes instead of the almost hour it currently takes on the bus, whilst also having the connection with the metro at Northumberland Park to go to Whitley/Tynemouth (which btw on your metro video you pronounce wrong (in north eastern -mouth names the mouth is pronounced like mouth not muth)) etc. The service frequency will be less than the metro but is the same as the current bus frequency. One issue is that where the track goes through the village is where the old station used to be before the cuts which is where the village centre was 100 years ago. The village centre now however has migrated a mile south so the majority of people who live in Delaval won't be in easy walking distance of the station. The station at Bebside is similarly disconnected. When you say you wouldn't expect it "before the end of 2024" do you mean at least 2025 then? I seem to have seen December 2023 mostly but I have also seen a lot of 2024 too, but I haven't had any updates in a while, other than what I've seen at the construction site. PS Northumberland Park will also be the first national rail station in North Tyneside PPS you also pronounce Gosforth wrong (should be futh, not forth)
Looking forward to seeing the videos, about these new stations and line! 🙂
I’m so freaking hyped for the Northumberland line. It’s gonna make my life SO much easier
I can’t see that line finishing at Ashington. Surely it will form a loop back to Newcastle via Morpeth.
Great video, I’m excited to see that Okehampton Parkway has got the go ahead with funding.
Hi Geoff. Yet another great video. Should Beaulieu Park between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel be added to your list of upcoming new stations?
Geoff Marshall the ultimate layers wearer!
5! 🙌
Just wanted to say thanks. This helpfully sorts out a work based question about some random places on a new station list.
All killer no filler. Nice one Geoff
Good roundup! It's great to see new stations and even new lines opening - let's hope this continues in many other places currently lacking train services
9 months ish after this video was published:
East Linton is scheduled to open in the second week of December '23, and the Levenmouth Railway is on track for Q1 '24.
I’ve been watching yours videos since I was 13. I’m now 21 😅. Keeps the videos coming mate
I hope you manage to get to these stations soon after opening! I wish there was a bit more rail near where I live…
Hi Geoff thanks for mentioning the new line that is getting put in between Leven & St Andrew’s very much appreciated. As it’s my neck of the woods. Although I stay in Falkland where some of Outlander was filmed. 👍
I have family up in Ashington. That station will take out a 45 min bus ride. Will be so much better when it finally opens! 😀
Great video! Really interesting, I'd love to see you talk about some of these upcoming stations in more detail 👌🏻
You forgot to feature in the re-opening of the Fleetwood line and potential tram-train and national rail stations at Baguley and Timperley in Greater Manchester.
Having lived in the North East for 9 years, I'm particularly pleased with the Ashington line (increasing the number of stations in Tyne & Wear to 8(!)) - this is a line that had been talked about in the past (in part) as a Metro extension, but am equally happy that mainline trains are coming back; will this mean the return of an Eastbound Bay platform at Newcastle Central?
They will utilise platform 1 at Central I think. Does platform 1 even exist. It'll most likely increase travel times where I live though.
@@alfiestewart6312 It still exists, but hadn't seen much use since 2019 - to be honest, I'd forgotten about it.
@@MRTransportVideos it is used by transpennine express services going from newcastle - edinburgh
Amazing how Exeter has more stations than the whole of Tyne & Wear.
@@daveharrison9107 To be fair, the Tyne and Wear metro does have 60 stations so that's a little disingenuous. But Exeter does have a very impressive suburban rail network for a city of its size. It beats Sheffield for example, a city over 4 times the size!
Thanks for this.
Not sure if you are aware but Winslow station on the East-West railway is in an advanced stage of construction. Although technically it’s not a new station it is in a completely different location to the original. Not sure about the opening date yet.
I was going to comment this as well!
And they were track laying there only last week. Station building is small but coming on well.
As is the new Bletchley High Level Station.
I remember hearing about the new line to Leven in Fife will be opening in the near future. Can't wait to try that line out when it opens next year in 2024.
White rose has been crying out for a train station for years. I only wished they had built it when I used to have to commute there from Doncaster years ago. Now I work for TPE, I get to see it's progress nearly every week. Exciting stuff.
Also in progress is the Bletchley (on the West Coast Mainline) to Bicester route. It’ll stop at Winslow then terminating at Bicester. It’ll also go down to Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Aylesbury. Soon, it’ll be extended to Oxford Parkway and Oxford in West and to Cambridge in the East. 🎉
I believe that the link to Aylesbury has been canned for the foreseeable future.
It won't terminate at Bicester as the line between Bicester and Oxford is already open.
Willenhall is a reopening of a station that was closed in the 60s axe, albeit on the other side of the roadbridge to the West. Desperately needed, as are a lot of stations in the West Midlands to connect the huge number of relatively large towns which all have insane levels of road traffic. Will be just under 8 minutes to Wolverhampton and 20 minutes to Birmingham, two trains an hour each way.
Is there still one train a day direct between Wolverhampton and Walsall? It used to be hourly, but was virtually stopped hence the reopening of Willenhall station was delayed indefinitely.
Only every half an hour to Brum or Walsall possibly hour at first the quickest way depending on the M6 and therefore the A41, A454 and roads around the Darlaston, Moxley and Willenhall area Is the 529 every 7 minutes and not long to Willenhall or 529 and X51 or Tram from Darlaston 34/37/39 past Darlaston to Walsall X51 depending on the A34 and J7 to Brum or To Wolves 34/37/39 to Darlaston and 79 to Wolverhampton or 34/39/37 to Darlaston 79 to Either West Brom if the Tram Is down then 74 to Brum or 80/89 or potentially 4/4H/4M 3/3A to Smethwick, Sandwell and Dudley or Brum 74 directly to get the faster more frequent train to Brum or Wednesbury for what our Mayor thinks saves the problems can do no wrong the Tram. Apart from when's it down which has been often then it's the good old 79 and 74 or Train to the rescue. I really hope people use it but the Schedule doesn't suit commuters who if they miss the Train might as well remain on the Bus. If it was every 15 minutes it might be a threat more for Darlaston as the 79 is every 12 Minutes and takes 30 - 35 minutes to reach Wolverhampton or West Brom and 10 minutes to reach Wednesbury to get the Tram because from Darlaston Town Centre where the Bus Station is and you would have to drive through to get to The Station it Is 5 minutes on the Bus 34/37/39 which are every 6 minutes between Darlo and Walsall or 5 minutes in the Car 5 minute Walk From The Bus Stop over the Railway Bridge turn onto Cemetery Road and 2 minutes to get a ticket 3 minutes and your Train is there. Or Driving 2 minutes to find a space 2 minutes to grab stuff and lock it. 2 minutes to get Tickets and Paper Train is in 9 minutes. If the old Railway Tavern was still there and it was half hourly wait in the Pub have a quick Pint Walk 2 minutes or so and done. I'm not sure if it would have had to be demolished due to the Platform location I think the Station Building is opposite The Cemetery if not it will be where the Railway Taverns Beer Garden was
@@nigelkthomas9501I ay found it but it used to be 06:38AM on a Saturday Morning Wolverhampton to Walsall the only time the line is used Is Frieght due to Bescot being at the end or right now WCML Diverts mostly Avanti from Scotland and the North West going to London via the Trent Valley ie not serving Wolverhampton or Birmingham although Avanti use the line for some Wolverhampton to London Services and ECS to Birmingham from Oxley LNWR use it in prep for the stations for the New Street to Crewe Via Stoke Services I think 1 or 2 Services maybe only know again for familiarisation from Wolverhampton to Rugeley/Hendesford use the line to Walsall and I have seen 1 TFW Shrewsbury Birmingham Service apparently use it. Other than that it was the 06:38AM Wolverhampton to Walsall Train it used to be hourly daily until 2008 then I believe weekdays a twice daily return then twice daily on Saturday at 06:38AM WVH - WSL 19:38 return then just 1 way 06:38AM now other than diverts nothing that is stopping anyway
I was expecting Winslow to get a mention but maybe that won't open until after 2024. The site is certainly nearing completion but tracks are still being laid. There is a lot more work to do yet before the line itself opens.
There was one being built currently between Leeds and York on the Loop Line [Harrogate], named Woodside Quarry to serve the new industrial estate which is replacing the now demolished quarry.
How can you demolish a quarry? Asking for a friend.
@@peterjones3557 They didn't fully demolish it, they demolished all the bumps on it as they're currently working on a new residential area! This means a lot more people will be able to live in it.
@@Joewiththetrains Sorry, I was being facetious, as in; a quarry is a hole in the ground, how do you demolish hole? - you fill it in.
Will we be treated to a Northumberland Park (London) to Northumberland Park (Tyne and Wear) journey when the new station opens?
The new station White Rose is very controversial because it will be replacing the Cottingley station which is conveniently located in the middle of the town and the new white rose station will be out in the middle of nowhere. Even the white rose shopping centre it’s being built for is going to be a 10 minute walk away. Residents are not happy.
I want a Peartree to Pineapple Road video once it's opened!
@@andymerrett Not a reference I'm familiar with, I'm afraid!
With the amount of traffic congestion everywhere these days, its nice to see some places re-opening having been closed by Beeching and indeed completely new ones. I'm not sure when the Oxford to Bletchley line will be fully reopened but I see there are new stations being constructed which roughly replace ones closed in the 60s. Plus new track bed and new track. Could see those opening sometime in the next couple of years too.
Indeed. And though it'd be a push for the rest of East-West Rail (Varsity Line) to be reinstated in the time frame, work on building a new station at Cambridge South commenced last month, expected opening date 2025.
Up North, funding is secured to reopen Cheadle station (near Stockport) on the mid-Cheshire line. That's also expected for 2025.
Work is well advanced on the line between Bicester and Bletchley. The Bletchley overpass has been rebuilt, the new Bletchley High Level has been built and is being fitted out and, the new re-sited Winslow station will be completed this year. Further along the line towards Bedford, plans are being finalised to close some of the level crossings and Bedford St. Johns station may be re-sited depending on what the route between Bedford and Cambridge being determined.
That last bit about the new line in Northumberland is really helpful. We're currently doing an electoral review of the area and I was aware of the new housing developments in that area but not the planned new stations. I can now feed that into our thinking about the electoral boundaries in the area.
When I thought I’d almost visited all the stations in the West Midlands 5 more are going to be opening in the next 2 years or so lol. Thanks for the update Geoff!
Cambridge South is supposedly due in 2025. Planning permission has been given and the workers are on site.
Just for future reference, Leven is pronounced leavin (leaving without the g)
Wiltshire will be getting a Devizes Station called Devizes Parkway. Also, possibly Corsham I'd gets the go ahead
Thanks for this, Geoff. Do you know when in 2023 we can expect Reading Green Park to open?
I've been watching them build White Rose station from my desk at work. I'm only in the office a few days a month and haven't see a great deal happening except the workers in orange hi Vis on the line.
I'm not sure how popular it will be for the shopping centre as it's a bit of a walk, it should be handy for the office park... for all the offices which are empty or only have people attending a few days a month! But I think access will be better than Cottingley, as the new station will have step free access and I don't think Cottingley has.
Marsh Barton station is opening on 4th July!
Hi Geoff, the new station in fife is actually pronouned up here as 'Leaven' 😆
I'm sure he'll "rise" to the occasion.
That spelling may not help him (think leavening, unleavened bread) - might be easier to say Leven rhymes with Steven.🙂
It's one of those "you either know it or you don't" names; people with a knowledge of the history of football would remember the club that played there (Vale of Leven) and would remember the right pronunciation.
@@MRTransportVideos Vale of Leven isn't fife - it's Dunbartonshire - but has the same pronunciation.. Not the same pronunciation as leaven though!
Hi Geoff, first train to Marsh Barton 5:34 from Exeter St Davids July 4th. Are you going to be on it?
Amazing, thank you! What font do you use for the station names in the video please? It looks just like the one Network Rail and the TOCs use but I can never find out what it is. Amazing to hear al of these new stations opening soon.
Liverpool Echo also reported on Merseyrail adding a new station called Baltic to serve the up-and-coming area of The Baltic triangle. It was also the site of Liverpool St James but shut around 1915 (reason for the name change is due to it being too similar with the James Street Station on the Wirral Line). the station is due to open in 2024.
Beaulieu Park railway station in Chelmsford, Essex is set to open from next year and will have 3 platforms and Greater Anglia trains to stop at the new station coming to & from London Liverpool St, Braintree, Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich and Clacton-on-Sea.
Not to mention Cambridge South that is to have 4 platforms and is situated to the south of Cambridge city centre and will serve Cambridge Biological Centre and the 2 hospitals nearby.
I'm guessing this means that Winslow (East West Rail) isn't likely to open for a while...?
Other ones I can think of either approved or under construction - Wixams (MML near Bedford)
- Portishead (Portishead branch, Bristol)
- Pill (Portishead branch, Bristol)
Feel free to suggest more I've forgotten!
Winslow not Wilmslow!
Portway Park and Ride will be on my local line. It will be extremely boring, but will increase passenger numbers on the Severn Beach line hopefully!
I think Beaulieu Park in Chelmsford has just started works, been in the planning for ages
When Reston was re opening, it was pointed out that Dunbar on the same line would lose some of its services to allow the same trains to call at Reston instead. I don't know how things have transpired but East Linton is on the same line too. I wonder what will happen.
You must be very well prepared to make these extra info videos on the hoof.
Excellent content as usual. I'm sure you're aware of the other stations coming to Bristol for the MetroWest programme, namely; Ashley Down, Henbury and Filton North. Ashley Down is predicted to be open in 2024. However, when have these projects ever been conducted without delays... Great channel.
I am looking forward to the new one at the White Rose centre. It's time one was there as the white rose is so huge!
I was under the impression Cottingley was going to close, I certainly can't see it staying open when it's quite literally the other side of a viaduct from the new White Rose station and it is also not an accessible station as wheelchair, pram, etc. users cannot cross platforms.
Was surprised at no mention of Morley's new station which is opening later this year. It's about 75m down the track from the current station but it's essentially a brand new station with new platforms, lifts and other facilities.
I used to live at Pineapple Road! can’t wait for them three to open
Looking forward to the March Barton station opening, making it easier to get to the trading estate if you don't drive.
Hry Geoff, quick question. Do you think you'll ever ride the full EW rail link, assuming it gets opened at some point... between Oxford and Cambridge? Going to be going through the old least used station in Bedfordshire, Aspley Guise. It's a shame the entire line has now been mothballed with a replacement bus service...
It's great to see new stations and lines opening. Not to open old wounds but it's just a shame that some of the cuts that were made in the 1950's-60's and later were not given more foresight, or at the very least protection. As we're seeing a rebirth of rail with the congestion of cars at the moment and ironically the bus services that were meant to replace the rail are getting worse and worse and reduced. So bring us more rail is what I say! :)
The news is also that there'll be an additional railway station in Cambridge called Cambridge South! Unsure when it will be finished though but the work is said to start in a few months.
How about Beam Park between Dagenham Dock and Rainham- isn't that due to open sometime this year?
What about Cambridge south?
There used to be stations on the Camp Hill Line, it's great to have them back. They had a competition to pick the name of the station there and Pineapple Rd won.