Cheshire train station could reopen after 57 years
The group behind a campaign to reinstate Beeston Castle and Tarporley station is hopeful the stop will welcome passengers once more, having been closed since 1966.
While the Department for Transport is yet to confirm the reopening of the station, Michael Flynn said the Beeston and Tarporley Station Reopening Group had received “official notice” of the decision.
Flynn, who chairs the group, said the decision “represents a pivotal step towards enhancing the connectivity of our area to the regional and national rail network”.
The BTSRG said it would work with Transport for the North, Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils, Network Rail, and operator Transport for Wales to develop a delivery plan and a “detailed design and financing package”.
The campaign was supported by local MP Edward Timpson, who will vacate his Eddisbury seat at the next general election.
“When I was elected MP for Eddisbury in 2019, one of my main priorities was to improve public transport connectivity across our rural areas,” he said. “To have opened up the rail network to our central Cheshire communities is a serious accomplishment.
“It’s been over 57 years since Beeston Castle and Tarporley Station served local residents and businesses, and we will soon place it – quite literally -back on the track.”
The Department for Transport was contacted for comment.
Beeston Castle and Tarporley, located on the line between Crewe and Chester, was among more than 2,000 stations shut following Richard Beeching’s report.
In 2020, the government invited bids for cash from the £500m Restoring Your Railway fund, aimed at supporting proposals to reverse some of the Beeching cuts.
The Beeston Castle and Tarporley bid was among those to receive funding to draw up a business case. If it reopens, the station will provide a stop between Crewe and Chester stations, serving villages such as Tarporley, Tattenhall, and Huxley.
Other schemes supported by the fund in the North West include plans to reinstate the Bury to Heywood and Rochdale line.
Really hope this opens without delay. It’s surprising how there are currently no stops between Chester and Crewe, so this is a good halfway point.
By Bob T
Would be a great asset, so long as there’s adequate parking space. Would take pressure off both Chester and Crewe
By Anonymous
This is going to sound churlish, because there are many good and sound reasons to restore this station, but worth pointing out that Tarporley is one of the most affluent communities in the North West, and although it’s outside greenbelt it is due to placed inside an AONB that is progressing through the government approval process. If this got chosen over Rochdale/Heywood that would not be a good outcome.
By Rich X
Excellent news. More stations should be reopened.
By Rye&Eggs
I think It would be absolutely wonderful to have the old station up and running again. We need more of this instead of closing everything down.
By Karen
My father was signalman at Beeston for many years and other relatives work at the station. I have pleasant memories of catching the station on Saturday afternoon as a 14 year old going to watch Crewe Alex. There was about half a dozen of us Great to see it being reopened again and as a young lad i worked at Coal yard at Beeston sidings
By Raymond Carr
We should start to open as many rail links as possible, people would then be encouraged to use public transport and save time money and enjoy a relaxing journey
By John