Hunts Cross railway station
Encyclopedia
Hunts Cross railway station is a Grade II listed railway station in Hunts Cross
, Liverpool
, England
. It is situated on the southern branch of the City Line
's Liverpool to Manchester route, and is the southern terminus of Merseyrail
's Northern Line
.
, Hunts Cross was the only four-platform station on the line running between Liverpool Central and Manchester Central
stations. It was also a junction at the southern end of the North Liverpool Extension Line
to Gateacre
, West Derby
, north Liverpool docks
and Southport
. This line was closed in stages from 1952 to 1972 and is now part of National Cycle Network
Route 62, the Trans Pennine Trail
. The closure of the North Liverpool route left Hunts Cross to be served by the local service from Liverpool Lime Street
to Warrington
and Manchester
.
In 1983 Merseyrail's electrified Northern Line from Liverpool Central
was extended to Hunts Cross from its previous terminus at Garston
. One of the former Gateacre line platforms was reinstated as a bay platform for terminating electric services. Northern Line trains originally ran through to Kirkby
, but in 1984 the timetable was altered and trains continued to Southport
instead.
When the Merseyrail service was introduced, the service from Liverpool Lime Street
to Manchester was cut back to terminate at Hunts Cross. Passengers from Manchester wishing to continue to Liverpool had to change to a Merseyrail train. This arrangement was short-lived and ended in 1989 when the through trains to Lime Street were restored.
From 11 June 2006, the number of Manchester-bound trains stopping at Hunts Cross was reduced from two trains per hour to one. However, during morning and evening peaks the half-hourly frequency is still maintained.
From 11 December 2006, the Monday-Saturday evening Northern Line service was increased to run every 15 minutes. Previously, services had reduced to a half-hourly frequency after 7.30pm.
Hunts Cross is primarily served by Northern Rail
services on the City Line between Liverpool Lime Street
and Warrington Central
and Manchester Oxford Road
(one train per hour with additional services during peak hours), and Merseyrail Northern Line services from Southport
via Liverpool Central
(every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday, reducing to half-hourly on Sundays).
In addition, some peak-hour services operated by East Midlands Trains
additionally stop here between Liverpool, Manchester and beyond.
Hunts Cross station currently has three operational platforms.
The track serving platform 2 is also electrified and can be used by Merseyrail EMUs if the usual platform is blocked. This facility is used rarely, as any terminating train in this platform will block the through line towards Manchester, with potential delays to other services.
Hunts Cross
Hunt's Cross is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is located on the southern edge of the city, bordered by Woolton, Allerton, Speke and Halewood.-History:...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is situated on the southern branch of the City Line
City Line (Merseyrail)
The City Line is the name given to local rail routes out of Liverpool Lime Street station, Liverpool, Merseyside. It appears on maps of the Merseyrail network as red, and covers the Liverpool-Wigan Line as well as the two routes of the Liverpool-Manchester Line...
's Liverpool to Manchester route, and is the southern terminus of Merseyrail
Merseyrail
Merseyrail is a train operating company and commuter rail network in the United Kingdom, centred on Liverpool, Merseyside. The network is predominantly electric with diesel trains running on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead wire AC system with...
's Northern Line
Northern Line (Merseyrail)
The Northern Line is one of the two commuter rail lines operated by Merseyrail in Merseyside, England. The other line is the Wirral Line. A third line of the Merseyrail Network, the City Line, is not owned or operated by Merseyrail, although funded by Merseytravel.The Northern Line passes...
.
History
Originally built by the Cheshire Lines CommitteeCheshire Lines Committee
The Cheshire Lines Committee was the second largest joint railway in Great Britain, with 143 route miles. Despite its name, approximately 55% of its system was in Lancashire. In its publicity material it was often styled as the Cheshire Lines Railway...
, Hunts Cross was the only four-platform station on the line running between Liverpool Central and Manchester Central
Manchester Central railway station
Manchester Central railway station is a former railway station in Manchester City Centre, England. One of Manchester's main railway terminals between 1880 and 1969, it now houses an exhibition and conference centre named Manchester Central.-History:...
stations. It was also a junction at the southern end of the North Liverpool Extension Line
North Liverpool Extension Line
The North Liverpool Extension Line is a now-disused railway line in Liverpool, England. The line was to be the eastern section of the Merseyrail Outer Loop...
to Gateacre
Gateacre railway station
Gateacre railway station was a station located on the North Liverpool Extension Line on the north side of Belle Vale Road, Gateacre, Liverpool. It is sometimes reported as Gateacre & Woolton....
, West Derby
West Derby
West Derby is a suburb in the north of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is also a Liverpool City Council ward. At the 2001 Census, the population of the ward was 14,801 .-History:...
, north Liverpool docks
Port of Liverpool
The Port of Liverpool is the name for the enclosed 7.5 mile dock system that runs from Brunswick Dock in Liverpool to Seaforth Dock, Seaforth, on the east side of the River Mersey and the Birkenhead Docks between Birkenhead and Wallasey on the west side of the river...
and Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
. This line was closed in stages from 1952 to 1972 and is now part of National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
Route 62, the Trans Pennine Trail
Trans Pennine Trail
The Trans Pennine Trail is a long distance path running from coast to coast across northern England entirely on surfaced paths and using only gentle gradients ....
. The closure of the North Liverpool route left Hunts Cross to be served by the local service from Liverpool Lime Street
Liverpool Lime Street railway station
Liverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
to Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
and Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
.
In 1983 Merseyrail's electrified Northern Line from Liverpool Central
Liverpool Central railway station
Liverpool Central railway station is a railway station in Liverpool, England, and forms the central hub of the Merseyrail network, being on both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line. In the years 2008/09, Liverpool Central station was shown to be the busiest station in Liverpool, despite being...
was extended to Hunts Cross from its previous terminus at Garston
Garston (Merseyside) railway station
Garston station was a railway station in the Garston district of Liverpool, England. It was located on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail suburban rail network.-History:The station was opened on 1 April 1874 by the Cheshire Lines Committee...
. One of the former Gateacre line platforms was reinstated as a bay platform for terminating electric services. Northern Line trains originally ran through to Kirkby
Kirkby railway station
Kirkby railway station is situated in Kirkby, Merseyside, England. The station is an interchange between Merseyrail services from Liverpool Central and Northern Rail services from Manchester Victoria via Wigan Wallgate....
, but in 1984 the timetable was altered and trains continued to Southport
Southport railway station
Southport railway station serves the town of Southport, Merseyside, England. It is at the end of one of the branches of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network, and at the end of the Manchester-Southport Line which runs via Wigan...
instead.
When the Merseyrail service was introduced, the service from Liverpool Lime Street
Liverpool Lime Street railway station
Liverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
to Manchester was cut back to terminate at Hunts Cross. Passengers from Manchester wishing to continue to Liverpool had to change to a Merseyrail train. This arrangement was short-lived and ended in 1989 when the through trains to Lime Street were restored.
From 11 June 2006, the number of Manchester-bound trains stopping at Hunts Cross was reduced from two trains per hour to one. However, during morning and evening peaks the half-hourly frequency is still maintained.
From 11 December 2006, the Monday-Saturday evening Northern Line service was increased to run every 15 minutes. Previously, services had reduced to a half-hourly frequency after 7.30pm.
Current services
Northern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
services on the City Line between Liverpool Lime Street
Liverpool Lime Street railway station
Liverpool Lime Street is a railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool, England. The station lies on a branch of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston, and on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network...
and Warrington Central
Warrington Central railway station
Warrington Central railway station is one of two main railway stations serving the town of Warrington in the north-west of England. It is located on the southern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line , and is situated around halfway between the two cities...
and Manchester Oxford Road
Manchester Oxford Road railway station
Manchester Oxford Road Railway Station is a railway station in the city of Manchester, England. The station is located at the junction of Whitworth Street West and Oxford Street, on an elevated line between Deansgate and Piccadilly stations....
(one train per hour with additional services during peak hours), and Merseyrail Northern Line services from Southport
Southport railway station
Southport railway station serves the town of Southport, Merseyside, England. It is at the end of one of the branches of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network, and at the end of the Manchester-Southport Line which runs via Wigan...
via Liverpool Central
Liverpool Central railway station
Liverpool Central railway station is a railway station in Liverpool, England, and forms the central hub of the Merseyrail network, being on both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line. In the years 2008/09, Liverpool Central station was shown to be the busiest station in Liverpool, despite being...
(every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday, reducing to half-hourly on Sundays).
- Northern Rail services to Manchester call at:
-
- HalewoodHalewood railway stationHalewood railway station in south Liverpool and is in the Merseyside metropolitan borough of Knowsley, in the north west of England. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Northern Rail....
, Hough GreenHough Green railway stationHough Green railway station is a railway station to the West of Widnes in Halton unitary authority in the north west of England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building...
, WidnesWidnes railway stationWidnes railway station is a railway station in the town of Widnes, in the Halton unitary authority, in the county of Cheshire in North West England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building...
, Sankey for PenkethSankey railway stationSankey railway station, also known as Sankey for Penketh, is a railway station in the west of Warrington, Cheshire, England, serving the Great Sankey, Penketh and Whittle Hall areas of the town. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail...
, Warrington CentralWarrington Central railway stationWarrington Central railway station is one of two main railway stations serving the town of Warrington in the north-west of England. It is located on the southern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line , and is situated around halfway between the two cities...
, BirchwoodBirchwood railway stationBirchwood railway station is a railway station serving the Birchwood district to the north east of Warrington, Cheshire, in the north west of England. The station is 21 km west of Manchester Piccadilly on the Manchester-Liverpool Line....
, IrlamIrlam railway stationIrlam railway station serves the town of Irlam in the City of Salford metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in the north west of England. The station is 14 km west of Manchester Oxford Road on the Manchester to Liverpool Line...
, Chassen RoadChassen Road railway stationChassen Road railway station is in the Trafford metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in the north west of England. The station, and all services calling there, is operated by Northern Rail...
, UrmstonUrmston railway stationUrmston railway station in Urmston is in the Trafford metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in the north west of England. The station is 9 km west of Manchester Oxford Road on the Manchester-Liverpool Line...
, Humphrey ParkHumphrey Park railway stationHumphrey Park railway station is in the Trafford metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester in the north west of England. The station opened on 15 October 1984 as an experimental station is 7 km west of Manchester Oxford Road on the Manchester-Liverpool Line...
and Manchester Oxford Road
- Halewood
- Northern Rail services to Liverpool call at:
-
- Liverpool South ParkwayLiverpool South Parkway railway stationLiverpool South Parkway station is a railway station and bus interchange in the Garston district of Liverpool, England. It serves, via a bus link, Liverpool John Lennon Airport in the neighbouring suburb of Speke....
, West AllertonWest Allerton railway stationWest Allerton railway station serves the suburb of Allerton, Liverpool in the north west of England. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Northern Rail.The station opened on 2 January 1939....
, Mossley HillMossley Hill railway stationMossley Hill railway station is in the suburbs of Liverpool in the north west of England. The station is operated by Northern Rail.The station was renamed from Mossley Hill for Aigburth to Mossley Hill on 6 May 1974....
, Edge HillEdge Hill railway stationEdge Hill railway station serves the district of Edge Hill in Liverpool, England.There have been two stations of that name. The first stood a short distance south-west of the present station and its remains are still visible, although the site is not open to the public.Edge Hill is the first...
and Liverpool Lime Street
- Liverpool South Parkway
- Merseyrail services to Southport call at:
-
- Liverpool South Parkway, CressingtonCressington railway stationCressington railway station serves the Grassendale district of Liverpool, England. It is situated on the Southport-Hunts Cross route of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail suburban system...
, AigburthAigburth railway stationAigburth railway station serves the Aigburth district of Liverpool, England. It is situated on the Southport–Hunts Cross route of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail suburban system.-History:...
, St MichaelsSt Michaels railway stationSt Michaels railway station is a railway station in St Michael's Hamlet, Liverpool, England, on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail suburban system. It is situated near, but not on St Michael's Road, Aigburth, a short distance to the south of the Lark Lane and Sefton Park...
, BrunswickBrunswick railway stationBrunswick railway station is a railway station in Dingle, Liverpool, England, on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail rapid-transit urban network. It also serves the nearby district of Dingle and is situated on a short section of track between two tunnels, between the now in-filled Toxteth and...
, Liverpool CentralLiverpool Central railway stationLiverpool Central railway station is a railway station in Liverpool, England, and forms the central hub of the Merseyrail network, being on both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line. In the years 2008/09, Liverpool Central station was shown to be the busiest station in Liverpool, despite being...
, MoorfieldsMoorfields railway stationMoorfields station is an underground railway station in Liverpool, England. It is situated on both the Northern and Wirral Lines of the Merseyrail network and is the only station on the network which has services to all other Merseyrail stations....
, Bank HallBank Hall railway stationBank Hall railway station is a railway station in Kirkdale, Liverpool, England, located to the north of the city centre, on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network...
, Bootle Oriel RoadBootle Oriel Road railway stationBootle Oriel Road railway station is a railway station in Bootle, Merseyside, England. It is situated near the town's Victorian civic centre, opposite Bootle Town Hall, although the surrounding area is now largely residential...
, Bootle New StrandBootle New Strand railway stationBootle New Strand railway station is a railway station in the centre of Bootle, England. It is on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network and serves in particular the nearby New Strand Shopping Centre. The platforms are elevated and are reached by ramps from the entrance at street level...
, Seaforth & LitherlandSeaforth & Litherland railway stationSeaforth & Litherland railway station is a railway station in Seaforth, Liverpool, England on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network. It also serves the adjacent area of Litherland.-History:...
, WaterlooWaterloo (Merseyside) railway stationWaterloo railway station is a railway station in Waterloo, Merseyside, England on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network. It serves a largely residential area.-History:...
, Blundellsands & CrosbyBlundellsands & Crosby railway stationBlundellsands & Crosby railway station is a railway station in Blundellsands, a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It also serves the adjacent district of Crosby. It is situated on the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network.-History:...
, Hall RoadHall Road railway stationHall Road railway station serves Blundellsands in Merseyside, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line. Hall Road TMD was adjacent to the station.-History:...
, HightownHightown railway stationHightown railway station serves the village of Hightown in Sefton, Merseyside, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
, FormbyFormby railway stationFormby railway station is a railway station in the town of Formby, Merseyside, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.The station has a car park and a newsagent.-History:...
, FreshfieldFreshfield railway stationFreshfield railway station serves the Freshfield district of Formby, Sefton, Merseyside, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
, AinsdaleAinsdale railway stationAinsdale railway station serves the village of Ainsdale near Southport, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
, HillsideHillside railway stationHillside railway station serves the southern half of the Birkdale area of Southport, England. It is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line....
, BirkdaleBirkdale railway stationBirkdale railway station serves the Birkdale suburb of Southport, England. The station is located on the Southport branch of the Merseyrail network's Northern Line.-History:...
, and Southport
- Liverpool South Parkway, Cressington
In addition, some peak-hour services operated by East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains
East Midlands Trains is a British passenger train operating company. Based in Derby, it provides train services in the East Midlands, chiefly in the counties of Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, and between the East Midlands and London...
additionally stop here between Liverpool, Manchester and beyond.
Hunts Cross station currently has three operational platforms.
- Northern RailNorthern RailNorthern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
services bound for Liverpool Lime Street (Merseyrail City Line). - Northern RailNorthern RailNorthern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
services bound for Warrington CentralWarrington Central railway stationWarrington Central railway station is one of two main railway stations serving the town of Warrington in the north-west of England. It is located on the southern route of the Liverpool to Manchester Line , and is situated around halfway between the two cities...
and Manchester Oxford RoadManchester Oxford Road railway stationManchester Oxford Road Railway Station is a railway station in the city of Manchester, England. The station is located at the junction of Whitworth Street West and Oxford Street, on an elevated line between Deansgate and Piccadilly stations....
(Merseyrail City Line). - MerseyrailMerseyrailMerseyrail is a train operating company and commuter rail network in the United Kingdom, centred on Liverpool, Merseyside. The network is predominantly electric with diesel trains running on the City Line. Two City Line branches are currently being electrified on the overhead wire AC system with...
services bound for Liverpool CentralLiverpool Central railway stationLiverpool Central railway station is a railway station in Liverpool, England, and forms the central hub of the Merseyrail network, being on both the Northern Line and the Wirral Line. In the years 2008/09, Liverpool Central station was shown to be the busiest station in Liverpool, despite being...
and SouthportSouthport railway stationSouthport railway station serves the town of Southport, Merseyside, England. It is at the end of one of the branches of the Northern Line of the Merseyrail network, and at the end of the Manchester-Southport Line which runs via Wigan...
(Merseyrail Northern Line).
The track serving platform 2 is also electrified and can be used by Merseyrail EMUs if the usual platform is blocked. This facility is used rarely, as any terminating train in this platform will block the through line towards Manchester, with potential delays to other services.
Layout
The station is in a cutting and is reached by stepped ramps from the ticket office. A building on the Southport/Manchester-bound (island) platform (platforms 2&3) contains a disabled toilet, a snack shop and waiting room. The former main station building has been converted into a bar/restaurant and has been replaced by a modern ticket office. A small car park is available, and bus stops are nearby.External links
- Station information from Merseyrail