Small stations with big impact
Beauly station, on the Far North Line, at 15 m in length, it is one of the shortest stations in the UK.
Newburgh campaigns for an small rail halt proportionate to our needs - a low-cost small station that will bring big social and economic benefits to the community and the wider Scottish economy. Recently opened small stations across the UK pave the way.
Conon Bridge (opened 2013)
The Far North Line, Scotland
​In 2013, a new station with a single short platform costing just £845,000 opened at Conan Bridge.​
In the month following the station's opening, more than 2,000 journeys were made to and from it. According to the then Minister for Transport, Keith Brown, the numbers "show that it was an extremely worthwhile investment".​
Beuely Station (opened 2002)
The Far North Line, Scotland
Following a vigorous local campaign a small, new station was opened . Its short 15 metre single platform, shelter and car park were built for just £250,000.
​
The reopening of the station led to 75% of local commuters switching from road to rail. Beauly has surely shows how a modestly price station can transform a community.
Credit: Democoma
Pye Corner (opened 2014)
Ebbw Valley Railway, Wales
This £3.5m, single platform station opened to serve a catchment area of around 20,000 people to the west of Newport.
​​​​
The first years saw rapid growth in usage and by 2019-20 there were over 111,000 entries and exits. ​
The project was completion in just 34 weeks, one of the fastest new station builds in the UK. The Modular design incorporated prefabricated elements, including a 145-meter platform and car park all delivered within the allocated budget of £1.9 million.
Bow Street Transport Interchange (opened 2021)
The Cambrian Line, Wales
The single platformed station, some 4 miles from Aberystwyth, was the first new station in Wales in six years.
​
It took just a year to build (the planning phase lasted 11 years). Building costs were £6.76m for a modular 100m platform, a car park and bus & coach interchange. Adding in the cost of design and planning costs rose to £9.1m
​
The station is widely regarded as a success. Since its opening, the station has seen steady growth and it has had a positive community impact.​​
Kenilworth (opened 2018)
Coventry to Leamington Spa line, England
Kenilworth stop's single 100m platformed modular design was built on the site of the old station.
​​​​
Design and build issues meant a delayed project completion. The​ original budget of £11.3 million over ran by £2 million.
​
But the station is considered a success. The first year of operation saw some 11,000 more passengers use the station than the predicted figure of 160,000 and the number, bar the Covid dip, continue to grow.
Ilkeston (opened 2017)
Erewash Valley Line, England
This two platformed station reconnected Ilkeston to the rail after an absence of 50 years.
​
It took just a year to build (the planning phase however lasted 11 years). Building costs were £6.76m for a modular 100m platform, a car park and bus & coach interchange. Adding in the cost of design and planning costs rose to £9.1m
​
Since its reopening, the station has consistently exceeded expectations. In its first full year of operation, passenger numbers increased by 3.31%
By July 2017, over 30,000 journeys had been made, surpassing initial forecasts.​​​​
Credit Nigel Thompson
Okehampton (opened 2021)
Dartmoor Line, England
Okehampton is a market town in West Devon, England, it is prime source of income is tourism.
​​​​
Passenger numbers far exceeded expectation. 50,000 journeys, double the predicted number, were made in the first 20 weeks alone.
​
Local authorities and transport bodies reported the reopened station had boosted tourism, especially visitors to nearby Dartmoor National Park. There was improved access to jobs, education, and services in Exeter. and increased business activity reported too.
​
Officials described the station and line as 'breathing new life into a previously cut-off area'.
Ashington (opened 2024)
Northumberland Line, England
The new Northumbrian Line is regarded as a big success. Passenger numbers have far exceeded predicted figures and satisfaction levels are high.
​
Ashington, the largest station on the line, saw 500,000 journeys in the first 8 months. This immediate demand was widely cited as proof of suppressed demand for rail travel in the area.
​
Newcastle is now just 35 minutes, improving access to jobs, education and services. Overall, the station is viewed transforming travel opportunities and reconnect the community to the region.​​​​
Credit: Sara Janiszewska
There are signs of growth with the first tranche of new housing near completion. But commercial activity remains in a moribund state.