Least Used Stations of Great Britain

Berney Arms on a rather more busy day back in 2009

Due to the stats for this period finishing recording in March, this release was not completely affected by The COVID-19 pandemic. The least used station in the whole country for this period was Berney Arms, a small request stop on a lesser-used line between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. It dropped by approximately 90% from its statistics last year, due to it being closed for 15 months for signalling work.[2] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[3]

1. Berney Arms, in Norfolk, which amassed 42 passengers in this period
2. Elton & Orston, in Nottinghamshire, which amassed 68 passengers in this period
3. Stanlow and Thornton, in Cheshire, which amassed 82 passengers in this period.
4. Havenhouse, in Lincolnshire, which amassed 84 passengers in this period
5. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 92 passengers in this period.

View of Stanlow and Thornton from the footbridge

The least used station in this period was a tie, the title being taken by both Stanlow and Thornton and Denton. Denton has always been very underused, being on a line that only gets 1 2-way journey on a Saturday only. Stanlow and Thornton used to get an hourly service in the 1980's, but it has now been reduced to 2 trains in each direction a day.[4] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[5]

1. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 46 passengers in this period
2. Stanlow and Thornton, in Cheshire, which also amassed 46 passengers in this period
3. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 60 passengers in this period
4. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 122 passengers in this period
5. Havenhouse, in Lincolnshire, which amassed 158 passengers in this period

Redcar British Steel back in 2008

The least used station in this period was Redcar British Steel. If suffered a massive drop in passengers in this period, going from above 1000 passengers in 2014/15 dropping to just 40 in this period.[6] This is due to the steel works which this station served being closed,[7] and the station having no access other than from the train. The station itself was closed as of June 2020. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[8]

1. Redcar British Steel, in Teesside, which amassed 40 passengers in this period
2. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 52 passengers in this period
3. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 70 passengers in this period
4. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 74 passengers in this period
5. Stanlow and Thornton, in Cheshire, which amassed 92 passengers in this period

A picture of Barry Links back in August of 2019

The least used station in this period was Barry Links. Originally opened by the Dundee and Arbroath Railway, Barry Links is located on the Dundee–Aberdeen line just east of the town of Barry. Its always been fairly unused due to a very sparse train service (one train a day in each direction).[9] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[10]

1. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 24 passengers in this period
2. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 30 passengers in this period
3. Breich, in West Lothian, which amassed 48 passengers in this period
4. Redcar British Steel, in Teesside, which amassed 50 passengers in this period
5. Kildonan, in Highland, which amassed 76 passengers in this period

The west-bound platform of Shippea Hill, the level crossing and now defunct signal box behind

The least used station in this period was Shippea Hill. Originally opened as 'Mildenhall Road' in 1845, it has since been through 2 name changes; one in 1885 which saw it named as 'Burnt Fen', and again in 1904 where it was renamed to its current name, Shippea Hill.[11] Its located on the Breckland line, approximately 6 miles west of Ely. Its location is the reason of it being so least used. The statistics for this period show the top 5 least used stations to be:[12]

1. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 12 passengers in this period
2. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 38 passengers in this period
3. Pilning, in Gloucestershire, which amassed 46 passengers in this period
4. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 48 passengers in this period
5. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 68 passengers in this period

Reddish South station, which came 4th in the rankings for this period

The least used station in this period was Shippea Hill (It had this honour three times in a row). See above for background information on this station. The second least used was Coombe Junction Halt, a station which always seems to find itself in the top 5 or 10. This is due to its location (on a small industrial estate near Liskeard) and its sparse service.[13] The statistics for this period show the top 5 least used stations to be:[14]

1. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 22 passengers in this period
2. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 26 passengers in this period
3. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 32 passengers in this period
4. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 54 passengers in this period
5. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 60 passengers in this period

The footbridge at Teesside Airport, as seen from platform 2

The least used station in this period was Teesside Airport (It had this honour four times in a row). It is a very sparsely served station on the Tees Valley line. It only receives one train a week as of the December 2020 timetable coming into effect.[15] It has 2 platforms but only 1 is used due to there being only one service a week. It serves Teesside International Airport, which by airport-standards is also fairly under-used. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[16]

1. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 8 passengers in this period
2. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 12 passengers in this period
3. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 26 passengers in this period
4. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 40 passengers in this period
5. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 42 passengers in this period

A Colas Class 70 on the Moorswater to Aberthaw return freight service.

The least used station in this period was Teesside Airport. It had this honour three four in a row. See above for background information on the station. The second least used was Coombe Junction Halt, a small halt on the Looe Valley Line. It only gets 4 trains a day (2 in each direction) as most trains reverse at the level crossing around 50ft down the track. See Looe Valley Line for more information. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[17]

1. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 8 passengers in this period
2. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 48 passengers in this period
3. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 50 passengers in this period
4. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 52 passengers in this period
5. Kildonan, in Highland, which amassed 62 passengers in this period

Dorking West back in 2006

The least used station in this period was Teesside Airport. It had this honour four times in a row. See above for background information on the station. The second least used station was Dorking West. The only reason it gets this title is due to a supposed anomalous result caused by a 'computer predicting system'.[18] This station would usually see around 50,000 passengers each year.[19] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[20]

1. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 14 passengers in this period
2. Dorking West, in Surrey, which amassed 16 passengers in this period[18]
3. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 30 passengers in this period
4. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 56 passengers in this period
5. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 60 passengers in this period

Breich Station (placed 5th) with a Class 385 in the platform

The least used station in this period was Teesside Airport. It had this honour four times in a row. See above for background information on this station. The second least used station was Dorking West. This station got second place twice in a row (see above) due to a supposed anomalous results caused by a 'computer predicting system'.[18]See above for background information on this station. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 18 passengers in this period
2. Dorking West, in Surrey, which amassed 22 passengers in this period[18]
3. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 38 passengers in this period
4. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 52 passengers in this period
5. Breich, in West Lothian, which amassed 68 passengers in this period

The northern entrance to Coombe Junction, at one side of the road bridge just past the station

The least used station in this period was Coombe Junction Halt, a small halt on the Looe Valley Line. Due to its sparse service of 4 trains a day,[13] and its location on an industrial estate near Liskeard, this station is always very under used. More background information on this station is available in the section for the period between 2012 and 2013. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 42 passengers in this period
2. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 68 passengers in this period
3. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 76 passengers in this period
4. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 90 passengers in this period
5. Sugar Loaf, in Powys, which amassed 106 passenger in this period[lower-alpha 2]

A view of the single bay-platform at Denton from the stairs

The least used station in this period was Teesside Airport. Background information for this station is available in the section for the 2013 and 2014 period. The second least used station in this period was Denton. Located on the Stockport–Stalybridge line, it only receives 2 services (one to Stalybridge and one to Stockport) on a Saturday. Due to this, this station is always hovering around the top 5, but very rarely actually going top. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 44 passengers in this period
2. Denton, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 56 passengers in this period
3. Maidstone Barracks, in Maidstone, which amassed 70 passengers in this period
4. Kirton Lindsey, in Lincolnshire, which amassed 88 passengers in this period
5. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 94 passengers in this period

Crosskeys back in 2009

The least used station in this period was Crosskeys. The only reason it earnt this title was due to the station only being reopened during this period, and there was not enough time for the station to get a proper usage. It is located on the Ebbw Valley Railway in Wales and is served with 1 train an hour in each direction on Monday to Saturday, and approximately 1 train every 2 hours on a Sunday. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Crosskeys, in Caerphilly, which amassed 8 passengers in this period
2. Llanhilleth, in Blaenau Gwent, which amassed 10 passengers in this period
3. Reddish South, in Greater Manchester, which amassed 47 passengers in this period
4. Dorking West, in Surrey, which amassed 52 passengers in this period[18][lower-alpha 3]
5. Teesside Airport, in Teesside, which amassed 52 passengers in this period

An image showing the single platform of Tyndrum Lower

The least used station in this period was Tyndrum Lower. One of two stations in the small village of Tyndrum, this one is located on the West Highland Line. With only 6 trains calling at this station on Monday-Saturday, and the local village only having a population of 167,[22] this station is always rather un-used, now getting around 5,000 passengers modern-day.[23] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used station to be:[21]

1. Tyndrum Lower, in Stirling, which amassed 17 passengers in this period
2. Buckenham, in Norfolk, which amassed 22 passengers in this period
3. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 32 passengers in this period
4. Golf Street, in Angus, which amassed 38 passengers in this period
5. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 44 passengers in this period

Gainsborough Central in 2007

The least used station in this period was Gainsborough Central. It had this honour twice in a row. The station earned this title due to its sparse Saturday-only service which were introduced in British Rail in 1993.[24] Located on the Sheffield–Lincoln line it only three of these Saturday only trains. It has since gained a better service after a long campaign for better service on the line finally succeeded.[25] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Gainsborough Central, in Lincolnshire, which amassed 21 passengers in this period
2. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 26 passengers in this period
3. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 28 passengers in this period
4. Buckenham, in Norfolk, which amassed 29 passengers in this period
5. Dorking West, in Surrey, which amassed 40 passengers in this period[18][lower-alpha 3]

The overgrown platform and track of Watford West in 2005

The least used station in this period was Gainsborough Central. It had this honour twice in a row. See above for background information on this station. The second least used station in this period was Watford West. Despite the station being closed by this time, 25 people still purchased a ticket to this station, causing the statistics to count it. The line it was located on closed officially in 2003, the station itself closing a year prior. See Watford West for more information. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Gainsborough Central, in Lincolnshire, which amassed 21 passengers in this period
2. Watford West, in Hertfordshire, which amassed 25 passengers in this period
3. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 26 passengers in this period
4. Dorking West, in Surrey, which amassed 29 passengers in this period[18][lower-alpha 3]
5. Golf Street, in Angus, which amassed 30 passengers in this period

Statistics for this period were not produced due to a change in the methodology used.[26]

Golf Street in 2019

The least used station in this period was Barry Links and Gainsborough Central. For background information on these stations, see period 2004 and 2005 for Gainsborough Central and period 2016 and 2017 for Barry Links. The third least used station for this period was Golf Street. Located on the Dundee–Aberdeen line, the station only gets three trains a day, and still to this day remains in the top 50 least used stations in the country.[27] The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21][lower-alpha 4]

1. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 8 passengers in this period
2. Gainsborough Central, in Lincolnshire, which also amassed 8 passengers in this period
3. Golf Street, in Angus, which amassed 18 passengers in this period
4. Watford West, in Hertfordshire, which amassed 26 passengers in this period
5. Shippea Hill, in Cambridgeshire, which amassed 29 passengers in this period

A picture showing the extremely short platform of Beauly

The least used station in this period was Beauly. It only gained this title as the station was opened during this period, so the station didn't have enough time to gain a significant amount of passengers. Its located on the Far North Line between Inverness and Muir of Ord. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Beauly, in Highland, amassed 23 passengers in this period
2. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 24 passengers in this period
3. Gainsborough Central, in Lincolnshire, which also amassed 24 passengers in this period
4. Pontefract Baghill, in West Yorkshire, which amassed 40 passengers in this period
5. Buckenham, in Norfolk, which amassed 41 passengers in this period

The path leading to the distant platform 2 of Buckenham

The least used station in this period was Buckenham. This station is rather unique in the way that it only receives services on weekend. This is not unheard of but also not common. It has this irregular service pattern due to its popularity with walkers and bird-spotters[28] as it is located next to the RSPB Buckenham Marshes and RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Buckenham, in Norfolk, which amassed 22 passengers in this period
2. Barry Links, in Angus, which amassed 31 passengers in this period
3. Gainsborough Central, in Lincolnshire, which also amassed 31 passengers in this period
4. Pilning, in Gloucestershire, which amassed 36 passengers in this period
5. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 44 passengers in this period

The former platform of Watford Stadium Halt in 2014

The least used station for this period was Coombe Junction Halt. For background information on this station, see Period between 2009 and 2010. In 5th place for this period was Watford Stadium Halt, despite having no services since 1996. The station only lived for 14 years, having first opened in 1982. The reason it still ranks in this period despite it having no services is because people continued to purchase tickets to/from this station. The statistics for this period showed the top 5 least used stations to be:[21]

1. Coombe Junction Halt, in Cornwall, which amassed 14 passengers in this period
2. Pilning, in Gloucestershire, which amassed 23 passengers in this period
3. Sugar Loaf, in Powys, which amassed 39 passengers in this period
4. London King's Cross, in London, which amassed 41 passengers in this period[lower-alpha 5]
5. Watford Stadium Halt, in Hertfordshire, which amassed 83 passengers in this period

A request to the ORR for information periods earlier than 2010 and 2011 was successful. The statistics provided for periods before 1999 and 2000 seem unreliable so will not be put into this article.