Brockley Whins Metro station

Brockley Whins is a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, serving Brockley Whins in South Tyneside. The station joined the network in March 2002, following the opening of the 18 km (11 mi) extension from Pelaw to South Hylton.[2] The station originally opened in June 1839, under the Brandling Junction Railway, and was named Boldon Colliery between March 1925 and July 1991.

Brockley Whins
Tyne and Wear Metro station
LocationBrockley Whins, South Tyneside
England
Coordinates54°57′34″N 1°27′39″W
Grid referenceNZ345628
Transit authorityTyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Platforms2
Tracks2
Construction
Bicycle facilities5 cycle pods
Disabled accessStep-free access to platform level
Other information
Station codeBNR
Fare zoneB
History
Original companyBrandling Junction Railway
Pre-groupingNorth Eastern Railway
Post-grouping
Key dates
9 March 1840Opened as Brockley Whins
19 June 1844Resited
1 March 1925Renamed Boldon Colliery
8 July 1991Renamed Brockley Whins
31 March 2002Joined the Tyne and Wear Metro network
Passengers
2017/180.22 million[1]
Services
Preceding station Metro Following station
East Boldon
towards South Hylton
 Green Line Fellgate
towards Airport
Location

Along with other stations on the line between Fellgate and South Hylton, the station is fitted with vitreous enamel panels designed by artist, Morag Morrison. Each station uses a different arrangement of colours, with strong colours used in platform shelters and ticketing areas, and a more neutral palate for external elements.[3]

The station was used by 216,060 passengers in 2017–18, making it the fourth-least-used station on the Wearside extension.

History

The original station opened in June 1839, as part of the Brandling Junction Railway, and consisted of only one platform, located on the line towards Newcastle. This meant that trains towards Sunderland were required to cross over onto the opposite track, in order to allow passengers to board and alight – an arrangement quite common on other railways in the area, such as Crook. This arrangement resulted in an accident on 6 December 1870, causing five deaths. The subsequent investigation led to changes in the law, as well as the construction of a second platform, to the east of the existing one, to serve Sunderland-bound trains.[4] When the station was converted for use by the Tyne and Wear Metro, the westbound platform was relocated opposite the newer eastbound platform.

The station was originally a busy junction, as the former Stanhope and Tyne Railway route from Tyne Dock to Consett and Waskerley via Washington crossed the Brandling Junction Railway on the level, just to the east of the station at Pontop Crossing, with various curves being laid in to connect the two routes. Since the 1850s, passenger traffic has only taken place on the present east–west route, however the former north–south line was used by freight traffic as late as 1966.[5][6] The station was renamed Boldon Colliery by the London and North Eastern Railway in March 1925, but reverted to its original name in July 1991.[5]

As well as Seaburn, East Boldon and Heworth, Brockley Whins was formerly served by rail services operating along the Durham Coast Line between Sunderland and Newcastle. Following the introduction of Tyne and Wear Metro services to Wearside in March 2002, Heworth is now the only remaining intermediate station served by rail services operating between Sunderland and Newcastle.

Facilities

Step-free access is available at all stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network, with ramped access to platforms at Brockley Whins. The station is also equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point on both platforms. Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card (including contactless payment), notes and coins.[7][8] The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network.[9][10]

There is no dedicated car parking available at this station. There is the provision for cycle parking, with 5 cycle pods available for use.[11]

Service and frequency

Brockley Whins is served by the  Green Line , which operates between South Hylton and Airport, with an end-to-end journey time of 64 minutes. The station is also bypassed by Northern Trains services operating along the Durham Coast Line between Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Services from platform 1 operate towards South Hylton, with the first train departing at 05:34 (05:39 on Saturday and 06:38 on Sunday).[note 1] Services from platform 2 operate towards Airport, with the first train departing at 06:02 (06:05 on Saturday and 07:28 on Sunday). Trains run frequently across the network, at intervals of up to every 12 minutes (Monday to Saturday daytime), and every 15 minutes (evening and Sunday), with the last trains departing at around midnight.[11]

Journey times from Brockley Whins are:

See also

References
  1. "Tyne & Wear Metro usage figures". 2017–2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. Hope, Richard (1 July 2001). "Tyne & Wear Metro shares tracks to Sunderland". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. "'Station Colours' by Morag Morrison". Nexus. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. Rolt, L.T.C. (1955). Red for Danger: The Classic History of British Railway Disasters. pp. 61–63.
  5. ""Disused Stations - Brockley Whins Station (2nd site)"". "Disused Stations". Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  6. ""Disused Stations - Boldon Station"". "Disused Stations". Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  7. "Metro passengers feel the benefit of contactless payment". Nexus. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. "Revamp for Metro ticket machines". BBC News. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  9. "City Metro stations get new smart ticket machines and gates". Nexus. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. "Pop card validators at Metro stations are put through their paces". Nexus. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. "Timetables and stations: Brockley Whins". Nexus. Retrieved 19 May 2020.

Notes
  1. Some earlier trains operate as far as Park Lane.
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