1961 Closure of Midge Hall Station, Leyland?

[Chrius56000]

. . .Was there any reason why Midge Hall Station on the Preston–Ormskirk line succumbed in 1961?

. . .Even today trains have to come to a stop alongside what's left of the platform as it's a signalling token exchange point – is this why the platform wasn't demolished?

. . .A guard I spoke to on one of the Preston–Ormskirk line DMUs in the late 1970s said "it would cost hardly anything to reopen it and I can't understand why Lancashire hasn't done so!"

Chris Williams

 

[MadMac]

At the time the station was closed, it was still a through line to Liverpool Exchange and presumably, double track, so it would have removed a poorly patronised stop giving some time benefit.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

. . .Was there any reason why Midge Hall Station on the Preston–Ormskirk line succumbed in 1961?

One of a number of stations in the Ormskirk area that were all being considered for closure in the early 1960 in order to "effect economies". The local stations in scope were Midge Hall, New Lane, Bescar Lane, Rufford and Hoscar, and the review also looked at the viability of the Ormskirk to Southport through rail service. Source "Liverpool Echo". Wednesday 27 January 1960.

 

[Bletchleyite]

One of a number of stations in the Ormskirk area that were all being considered for closure in the early 1960 in order to "effect economies". The local stations in scope were Midge Hall, New Lane, Bescar Lane, Rufford and Hoscar, and the review also looked at the viability of the Ormskirk to Southport through rail service. Source "Liverpool Echo". Wednesday 27 January 1960.

Interestingly, Hoscar, New Lane and Bescar Lane would, in retrospect, have been better closure targets, as the area around Midge Hall has been subject to significant housing development, whereas the areas around those three have not. They would also have allowed a fully clock face Southport service.

 

[52290]

Interestingly, Hoscar, New Lane and Bescar Lane would, in retrospect, have been better closure targets, as the area around Midge Hall has been subject to significant housing development, whereas the areas around those three have not. They would also have allowed a fully clock face Southport service.

The 112 Preston to Midge Hall bus takes around 1hr 15 mins to complete it's journey. Hopefully the long standing campaign to reopen the station will eventually be successful.

 

[Elecman]

As the area managers project manager in the mid 1989s I was tasked with obtaining +\- 30.% estimates for the reopening on behalf of LCC. The costs even then outweighed finance available and there was projected very limited scope for revenue generation