Belle Vue
National Rail
Belle Vue railway station in 2007
General information
LocationGorton, Manchester
England
Grid referenceSJ881961
Managed byNorthern Trains
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeBLV
ClassificationDfT category F2
History
Opened1875
Passengers
2018/19Decrease 6,820
2019/20Increase 8,624
2020/21Decrease 2,602
2021/22Increase 8,644
2022/23Decrease 6,544
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Belle Vue railway station serves the area of Belle Vue, Manchester, England.

History

Belle Vue Station in 1962
1911 map showing the location of Belle Vue station (lower centre)

The station was built by the Sheffield and Midland Railway Companies' Committee and opened on 1 September 1875.[1] It was located on the line between New Mills and Manchester London Road (now Piccadilly).

A joint venture of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway and the Midland Railway, it was a shorter route than the already existing one through Hyde Junction, and was used by the latter's main line expresses from London until 1880, when they began running via Stockport Tiviot Dale into Manchester Central

It was popular with visitors to Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, set up by John Jennison in 1836. After the zoo's closure in the early 1980s, usage of the station plummeted. All that remains of the original station is that part of the footbridge which crosses the running lines.

Facilities

The original station had four platforms. The main building with booking office and parcels office was located on the west side of the railway and the platforms were linked by a raised footbridge.

Only two platforms remain in 2017, whilst there are no surviving buildings present other than standard waiting shelters on each platform. Train running information is offered via timetable posters and telephone. No step-free access available, as entry and exit on both sides is via a pair of stepped ramps from the main road.[2]

Services

The station has a two-hourly weekday service in each direction, northbound to Manchester Piccadilly and southbound to New Mills Central, with extra trains at peak times. Saturdays and some peak services see services run to Rose Hill Marple on the same frequency.[3]

There is no Sunday service.

References and bibliography

  1. ^ Butt, 1995, p. 32
  2. ^ Belle Vue station facilities National Rail Enquiries; Retrieved 21 February 2017
  3. ^ Northern Rail Timetable 22 - Manchester to Rose Hill/New Mills Central www.northernrail.org; Retrieved 2013-08-08
Preceding station   National Rail National Rail   Following station
Northern Trains
Mondays-Saturdays only
Northern Trains
Monday to Saturdays only



53°27′43″N 2°10′49″W / 53.46194°N 2.18028°W / 53.46194; -2.18028