Why did Blackpool Central station close?
Leif Pollich
2025-05-10 05:57:07
Count answers: 3
Blackpool Central station remained busy for all of its life but in 1964 to the surprise of most people it closed and the line was cut back to Blackpool South station the point at which the direct line joined the Lytham line. The direct line closed in 1967 and by the 1980's the Lytham line was reduced to a single track branch terminating at Blackpool South Station some distance from the town centre. The extensive area of land that the station and its approaches had occupied where used for coach and car parking. The station was initially known as Blackpool but was renamed Blackpool central in June 1878. In 1903 a direct line was opened from the Preston direction which connected with the coastal line one mile to the south of Central Station. It cut 5 miles off the journey and was used by express services and holiday specials. Blackpool Central was located at the very heart of the town being very convenient for all of the town's attractions. The famous Blackpool Tower was built only a stones throw from the station.
Natasha Bednar
2025-05-10 05:10:05
Count answers: 1
The Closure of Blackpool Central Railway Station was indicated by the Beeching Cuts, although they had recommended that Blackpool North and Layton stations should close instead. As far back as 1940 the Corporation had seen that closing Blackpool Central would release a lot of valuable development land. Surveyor James Drake also published a report in 1944 recommending that the station be moved back to Bloomfield Road, thereby releasing 130 acres for development. By overturning Beeching’s recommendation, the Council paid a mere £1 million for a massive site – which they turned into a car park. Controversially on 1 November 1964, and by order of the Corporation, Stationmaster JW Atkinson finally locked it up that night. This decision effectively tore the heart out of Blackpool and was quite probably the worst decision ever made by Blackpool Council. The last train left Blackpool Central at 9.55pm and the last arrival was at 11.30pm. Central Engine Sheds had already closed on 30 July 1964.
Horace Wintheiser
2025-05-10 05:00:18
Count answers: 1
Blackpool Central Station – initially called Hounds Hill – was opened in 1863. Given that the station was situated slap-bang in the centre of Blackpool alongside all the attractions such as Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Piers, it was no surprise that it was very well patronised. Indeed in 1911 Blackpool Central Station was the busiest train station in the world, however with the advent of the motor car, its days were numbered. Passenger numbers at Central began to decline after the Second World War and against the proposal of the 1963 Beeching report – which recommended closing Blackpool North Station – Central was closed for good on November 2nd, 1964. The Corporation had decided that the land on which Central stood was more lucrative and could be developed.
Samantha Hand
2025-05-10 04:33:33
Count answers: 2
The station was closed in 1964 under the Beeching Plan. It had been recommended that Blackpool North was closed but Blackpool Corporation successfully lobbied British Rail for central to be closed instead. They wanted the land vacant for lucrative redevelopment. The rails which meant holiday happiness for millions lay vacant. This was November 5 1964, just days after the station closed for good.
Sebastian Ledner
2025-05-10 03:55:18
Count answers: 1
The station remained in service until 1964 when, against the original recommendation of the 1963 Beeching Plan, the station was closed to allow Blackpool Council to buy the land for potential redevelopment.
The closure left a large tract of wasteland along with disused embankments and bridges.
In the early 1900s the station was enlarged to include 14 platforms to accommodate the large amount of traffic, and by 1911 Blackpool Central Station was officially the busiest in the world.
In July 1936, there were 650 recorded train movements in 24 hours.
From its humble beginnings in 1863 as a small-town station for a single line running along the Fylde coast from Lytham, Blackpool Central Station boomed into a bustling station to rival crowded terminals worldwide.
Read also
- What happened to the Great Central railway?
- When was Blackpool North station demolished?
- What is the best train station for Blackpool Tower?
- How many platforms did Blackpool Central station have?
- When did Central station close?
- Could the Great Central Railway be reopened?
- What caused the great train wreck?
- Where does the Blackpool North train go?
- How many railway stations are there in Blackpool?
- What is the most beautiful train station in UK?
- Where is Ghost Train Blackpool?
- What was the original route of the Great Central Railway?
- Is the cog railway still running?
- Is Blackpool North station open?
- What is Britain's biggest railway station?
- How much is a train ticket from Blackpool to Manchester?
- What is the least popular train station in the UK?
- Where is the smallest train station in the UK?
- Why is it called the Ghost Train?