Irlam railway station

Irlam railway station in Irlam, Greater Manchester, England, is 8 3⁄4 miles (14.1 km) west of Manchester Oxford Road on the Manchester to Liverpool Line, and is operated by Northern Trains.

Irlam
Irlam railway station in 2008
LocationIrlam, Salford
England
Coordinates53.4343°N 2.4341°W / 53.4343; -2.4341
Grid referenceSJ713931
Managed byNorthern Trains
Transit authorityGreater Manchester
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeIRL
ClassificationDfT category F1
History
Opened1873
Original companyCheshire Lines Committee
Pre-groupingCLC
Post-groupingCLC
Key dates
2 September 1873Original station opened as Irlam
1 August 1879Renamed Irlam and Cadishead
26 March 1893Station resited at higher level
August 1954Renamed Irlam for Cadishead
6 May 1974Renamed Irlam
Passengers
2015/16 0.306 million
2016/17 0.362 million
2017/18 0.344 million
2018/19 0.358 million
2019/20 0.360 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

The original station, named Irlam, was opened by the Cheshire Lines Committee on 2 September 1873,[1] on their route between Manchester Central and Liverpool Central. The station was renamed Irlam and Cadishead on 1 August 1879.[1]

The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, which opened on 1 January 1894, required the railway line to be raised in order to provide clearance for shipping, so a new line was built parallel but at a higher level. The new line was used by goods trains from 9 January 1893, and on 26 March 1893 passenger trains were also transferred to the deviation, the original station being closed and replaced by the present station.[1][2]

In August 1954, the station was renamed Irlam for Cadishead, reverting to Irlam on 6 May 1974.[1][3]

Irlam railway station in 1988

Facilities

The station is unstaffed, despite being used by over 350,000 passengers a year. The next station on the line, Flixton, is at least partially staffed although its usage is much less. A ticket machine is now available for use, both for purchasing tickets and collecting ones bought in advance. Shelters, digital information screens and timetable poster boards are provided on both platforms. Step-free access is available only on the eastbound side.[4]

After lying derelict for nearly twenty-five years, the station building was renovated and reopened in March 2015. It now serves as a railway-themed cafe, with toilets, a cycle hub, and 60-space car park.[5]

Irlam station is unusual in that the track and platform is the wrong side of the station building on the Manchester side. This is due to the deviation of the line in 1893.

Services

Monday to Saturday services are roughly half-hourly in each direction, towards Glazebrook and Liverpool Lime Street to the west and towards Flixton and Manchester Oxford Road in the east. An express service evening peak-time period (operated by East Midlands Railway in the evening) makes an additional stop at this station to cater for commuters working in Manchester. Services are less frequent (hourly each way) in the evenings.[6]

Since December 2006, trains now serve the station on Sundays. This is the first Sunday service at this station in over twenty years, with an hourly service operating in both directions. City of Salford council has advised locals to use the service or it may be withdrawn.

References
  1. Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  2. Dow, George (1962). Great Central, Volume Two: Dominion of Watkin, 1864-1899. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 143, 145. ISBN 0-7110-1469-8.
  3. Slater, J.N., ed. (July 1974). "Notes and News: Stations renamed by LMR". Railway Magazine. London: IPC Transport Press Ltd. 120 (879): 363. ISSN 0033-8923.
  4. Irlam station facilities National Rail Enquiries; Retrieved 12 December 2016
  5. "Irlam railway station house reopens after £2m makeover". Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  6. GB eNRT, May 2016 Edition, Table 89
Preceding station National Rail Following station
Glazebrook
Birchwood on Sundays		   Northern Trains
Manchester to Liverpool Line		   Flixton
Flixton on Sundays
East Midlands Railway
Liverpool-Norwich
Peak Hours only
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