Southampton Central railway station
Encyclopedia
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton
in Hampshire
, southern England
. It is on the Wessex Main Line
, the South Western Main Line
and the West Coastway Line
. Despite its name, Southampton Central is in fact situated some distance from the centre of the city (a central area served by Southampton terminus station until 1967) though it is now the closest station to the centre.
The station is managed by South West Trains
who operate the majority of services, including frequent trains to London Waterloo
. Other operators are CrossCountry
(providing services to Birmingham
and beyond), First Great Western
(to Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central
) and Southern
, which links Southampton to London Victoria via the south coast and Gatwick Airport
, and to London Bridge following a similar route excluding Gatwick Airport.
projects to expand the docks, largely funded by the London and South Western Railway
culminated in the building of the vast Western Docks between 1927 and 1934, which led to all of West Bay being reclaimed and the station becoming landlocked. The new land allowed the station to be enlarged and redeveloped in 1934-1935 (from two platforms to four), and became Southampton Central. Soon after the closure of Southampton Terminus station near the docks in 1966, the station was rebuilt in 1967, losing its clocktower, which was replaced with an office block. At this point it was renamed Southampton, although many years later it was once again renamed to Southampton Central.
Southampton Central is to undergo a major redevelopment and revamp in the coming years. A £800,000 grant towards a £2.4 million of improvements has been provided by Southampton City Council in late November 2009. Network Rail will pace £1.5 million with £475,000 from South West Trains who manages the station. The revamp will focus on an enlargement of the ticket hall, bus timetable displays, gate barriers (set to be upgraded to allow more people pass though the station), and overall facilities. The plan also hopes to improve disabled access to all areas of the station.
Southampton Central was flooded by torrential rainfall on 26 May 2008
There is also an ex-Red Star Parcels bay on the Bournemouth end of Platform 4. Previously branded as Platform 5, stopping services to Brockenhurst used this platform, but the platform can no longer be used for passenger services due to the lack of a proper starting signal. It is now used for the stabling of spare units. A number of goods loops are located a short distance away allowing terminating trains to clear the platforms for through services if required, and also to allow passenger services to pass freight trains.
Southampton Central houses both the South West Trains head office and a British Transport Police
station in Overline House on the upside, with street access from Blechyden Terrace.
A partnership between Network Rail, South West Trains and Southampton City Council will see a £3 million pound investment in refurbishing the station and improving passenger facilities and is due to be completed by the end of 2011.
can be reached from Southampton Central using trains departing in both directions, by South West Trains via in the up direction and by South West Trains and First Great Western via in the down.
The services at Southampton Central offer the following:
On 9 December 2007, a number of changes were made to South West Trains, First Great Western and Southern services. The old London Waterloo to Southampton Central stopping service has been extended to , replacing in part the former to stopping service. The former Poole train has been extended to .
The to shuttle and the Salisbury to Southampton Central portion of the First Great Western to Southampton Central service have been replaced by a South West Trains to Romsey via Southampton Central and Chandlers Ford service, this calls at Romsey twice on its journey. Southern have introduced a new service from Southampton Central to , the service to London Victoria now runs via rather than via .
In December 2008, CrossCountry
launched its new timetable with most trains operating between Bournemouth and , with one service originating at and one service on Saturdays terminating at . During a short period in the summer, there is also a single service on Saturdays to . As of December 2010 an hourly CrossCountry
train goes runs from to Manchester Piccadilly, via , calling at Southampton Central. There are also around 6 trains per day in each direction on the to route, via , which was extended to Southampton Central.
There are also select CrossCountry
services to Scotland, many are only for a certain part of the year. They are services to: (one train per day up journey/down journey Sundays only) and (Sundays only). One train from also terminates at Southampton Central on Sundays.
and Hythe
ferries. This service is operated by Bluestar
and departs from the Weymouth side of the station along with Uni-link
's other routes which serve the station. The now defunct City Clipper
service also served this side, linking a number of places in Southampton City Centre to the station. This side of the station has the advantage of a turning space, so buses can come in and out, rather than just pass in either direction as on the London side. Bus services operated by Bluestar
, First
, Stagecoach
and Wilts & Dorset
use stops on the London side. Taxi ranks are also located on both sides of the station.
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, southern 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 on the Wessex Main Line
Wessex Main Line
The Wessex Main Line is the railway line from Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton. Diverging from this route is the Heart of Wessex Line from Westbury to Weymouth.- Places served :The places served are listed below.*Bristol*Keynsham*Oldfield Park*Bath...
, the South Western Main Line
South Western Main Line
The South Western Main Line is a railway line between London Waterloo and Weymouth on the Dorset coast, in the south of England. It is a major railway which serves many important commuter areas, as well as the major settlements of Southampton and Bournemouth...
and the West Coastway Line
West Coastway Line
The West Coastway Line is a railway line in England, along the south coast of West Sussex and Hampshire, between Brighton and Southampton, plus the short branches to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis....
. Despite its name, Southampton Central is in fact situated some distance from the centre of the city (a central area served by Southampton terminus station until 1967) though it is now the closest station to the centre.
The station is managed by South West Trains
South West Trains
South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
who operate the majority of services, including frequent trains to London Waterloo
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. Other operators are CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
(providing services to Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
and beyond), First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
(to Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
) and Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
, which links Southampton to London Victoria via the south coast and Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport railway station
Gatwick Airport station is the railway station at London Gatwick Airport that provides a direct rail connection to London 43 km away. The station platforms are located directly below the airport’s South Terminal, and the ticket office is adjacent to that terminal’s concourse...
, and to London Bridge following a similar route excluding Gatwick Airport.
History
Southampton Central station was opened as Southampton West in 1895, to replace the original Blechynden/West End station (note nearby road namings). As built the station was on the seafront (specifically the stretch of water known as West Bay) with the water reaching right up to the southern edge of the platforms at high tide. A series of land reclamationLand reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
projects to expand the docks, largely funded by the London and South Western Railway
London and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
culminated in the building of the vast Western Docks between 1927 and 1934, which led to all of West Bay being reclaimed and the station becoming landlocked. The new land allowed the station to be enlarged and redeveloped in 1934-1935 (from two platforms to four), and became Southampton Central. Soon after the closure of Southampton Terminus station near the docks in 1966, the station was rebuilt in 1967, losing its clocktower, which was replaced with an office block. At this point it was renamed Southampton, although many years later it was once again renamed to Southampton Central.
Southampton Central is to undergo a major redevelopment and revamp in the coming years. A £800,000 grant towards a £2.4 million of improvements has been provided by Southampton City Council in late November 2009. Network Rail will pace £1.5 million with £475,000 from South West Trains who manages the station. The revamp will focus on an enlargement of the ticket hall, bus timetable displays, gate barriers (set to be upgraded to allow more people pass though the station), and overall facilities. The plan also hopes to improve disabled access to all areas of the station.
Southampton Central was flooded by torrential rainfall on 26 May 2008
Description
All the platforms are split into two sections, a and b, allowing two services to occupy a platform at the same time or to account for trains dividing into two portions. Platform 1 is, however, rarely used in this manner.- Platform 1 is used for services to London Waterloo from WeymouthWeymouth railway stationWeymouth railway station is a railway station serving the town of Weymouth, Dorset, England. The station is the terminus of both the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo and the Heart of Wessex Line from and .-History:...
and CrossCountry services to the north of England, predominantly Manchester from BournemouthBournemouth railway stationBournemouth railway station, originally known as Bournemouth East and then Bournemouth Central , is the main railway station serving the town of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. It is located on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo to Weymouth...
. - Platform 2 is used for First Great WesternFirst Great WesternFirst Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
services to PortsmouthPortsmouth Harbour railway stationPortsmouth Harbour railway station is a railway station in Portsmouth, England. It is situated beside Gunwharf Quays in the city's harbour, and is an important transport terminal, with a bus interchange and ferry services to Gosport and the Isle of Wight. The station currently has four platforms:...
and the stopping service to RomseyRomsey railway stationRomsey railway station serves the town of Romsey in the county of Hampshire in England. It is located on the Wessex Main Line and is the junction station for the Eastleigh to Romsey Line.-History:...
via EastleighEastleigh railway stationEastleigh railway station serves the town of Eastleigh in the county of Hampshire in England. It is located on the South Western Main Line and is the junction station for two other routes, the Eastleigh-Fareham Line and the Eastleigh-Romsey Line...
. It is the usual platform for the stopping service to London Waterloo, originating from PoolePoole railway stationthumb|right|Down stopping train in 1958Poole railway station is a railway station on the South Western Main Line serving the town of Poole in Dorset, England. The station is situated in the town centre next to Holes Bay...
, the South West TrainsSouth West TrainsSouth West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
stopping service to Portsmouth and the Southern service to BrightonBrighton railway stationBrighton railway station is the principal railway station in the city of Brighton and Hove, on the south coast of England. The station master is Mark Epsom...
. - Platform 3 is used for local services to SalisburySalisbury railway stationSalisbury is a railway station serving the city of Salisbury, Wiltshire. Located southwest of London Waterloo, the station is the crossing point of the West of England Main Line and the Wessex Main Line...
via Redbridge (Hampshire). The Southern service to London Victoria usually departs from platform 3a. Platform 3 is also used for the stopping service to PoolePoole railway stationthumb|right|Down stopping train in 1958Poole railway station is a railway station on the South Western Main Line serving the town of Poole in Dorset, England. The station is situated in the town centre next to Holes Bay...
where it is overtaken by a faster service. - Platform 4 is used for services to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth as well as First Great WesternFirst Great WesternFirst Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
services to Cardiff CentralCardiff Central railway stationCardiff Central railway station is a major railway station on the South Wales Main Line in Cardiff, Wales.It is the largest and busiest station in Wales and one of the major stations of the British rail network, the tenth busiest station in the United Kingdom outside of London , based on 2007/08...
.
There is also an ex-Red Star Parcels bay on the Bournemouth end of Platform 4. Previously branded as Platform 5, stopping services to Brockenhurst used this platform, but the platform can no longer be used for passenger services due to the lack of a proper starting signal. It is now used for the stabling of spare units. A number of goods loops are located a short distance away allowing terminating trains to clear the platforms for through services if required, and also to allow passenger services to pass freight trains.
Southampton Central houses both the South West Trains head office and a British Transport Police
British Transport Police
The British Transport Police is a special police force that polices those railways and light-rail systems in Great Britain for which it has entered into an agreement to provide such services...
station in Overline House on the upside, with street access from Blechyden Terrace.
A partnership between Network Rail, South West Trains and Southampton City Council will see a £3 million pound investment in refurbishing the station and improving passenger facilities and is due to be completed by the end of 2011.
Rail
Southampton Central has three trains an hour to of which two take approximately 1 h 20 min and the Poole stopping service taking approximately 1 h and 40 min (this service is overtaken by the express service at ).can be reached from Southampton Central using trains departing in both directions, by South West Trains via in the up direction and by South West Trains and First Great Western via in the down.
The services at Southampton Central offer the following:
- 3tph SWT to
- 2tph SWT to
- 1tph SWT to
- 1tph SWT to
- 1tph SWT to via
- 1tph SWT to via
- 1tph Southern to via
- 1tph Southern to
- 1tph FGW to
- 1tph FGW to
- 1tph CrossCountry to
- 1tph CrossCountry to
On 9 December 2007, a number of changes were made to South West Trains, First Great Western and Southern services. The old London Waterloo to Southampton Central stopping service has been extended to , replacing in part the former to stopping service. The former Poole train has been extended to .
The to shuttle and the Salisbury to Southampton Central portion of the First Great Western to Southampton Central service have been replaced by a South West Trains to Romsey via Southampton Central and Chandlers Ford service, this calls at Romsey twice on its journey. Southern have introduced a new service from Southampton Central to , the service to London Victoria now runs via rather than via .
In December 2008, CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
launched its new timetable with most trains operating between Bournemouth and , with one service originating at and one service on Saturdays terminating at . During a short period in the summer, there is also a single service on Saturdays to . As of December 2010 an hourly CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
train goes runs from to Manchester Piccadilly, via , calling at Southampton Central. There are also around 6 trains per day in each direction on the to route, via , which was extended to Southampton Central.
There are also select CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
services to Scotland, many are only for a certain part of the year. They are services to: (one train per day up journey/down journey Sundays only) and (Sundays only). One train from also terminates at Southampton Central on Sundays.
Bus
The station has a free shuttle service that links the station to the city centre and on to Town Quay, for the Isle of Wight Red FunnelRed Funnel
The Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited, which trades as Red Funnel, is a ferry company that carries passengers and vehicles on routes between the English mainland and the Isle of Wight...
and Hythe
Hythe Pier, Railway and Ferry
Hythe Pier, the Hythe Pier Railway and the Hythe Ferry together provide a transport link between the English port city of Southampton and the Hampshire village of Hythe on the opposite side of Southampton Water...
ferries. This service is operated by Bluestar
Bluestar (bus company)
Bluestar is a trading name of Solent Blue Line Ltd. Based in Eastleigh, the company operates bus routes in Hampshire that previously traded under the Solent Blue Line name. Blue Line was started by bus company Southern Vectis as it sought to expand from the Isle of Wight in 1987...
and departs from the Weymouth side of the station along with Uni-link
Uni-link
Uni-link is the brand for bus services run under contract for the University of Southampton in Southampton, Hampshire, England, by existing bus companies...
's other routes which serve the station. The now defunct City Clipper
City Clipper
City Clipper was a short-lived bus company in Southampton. It was an independent company which started operations on 23 April 2007, but ended six months later on 13 October 2007.-History:...
service also served this side, linking a number of places in Southampton City Centre to the station. This side of the station has the advantage of a turning space, so buses can come in and out, rather than just pass in either direction as on the London side. Bus services operated by Bluestar
Bluestar (bus company)
Bluestar is a trading name of Solent Blue Line Ltd. Based in Eastleigh, the company operates bus routes in Hampshire that previously traded under the Solent Blue Line name. Blue Line was started by bus company Southern Vectis as it sought to expand from the Isle of Wight in 1987...
, First
First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset is a subsidiary bus company within FirstGroup, which operates buses and trains throughout Great Britain.First Hampshire & Dorset has its head office in Empress Road, Southampton and operates bus services in the Weymouth and Bridport areas in Dorset; and services in...
, Stagecoach
Stagecoach in Hampshire
Hampshire Bus Company Ltd. trading as Stagecoach in Hampshire is an operating sub-division of Stagecoach South, part of the Stagecoach Group.Its main bases of operation are Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester.-Local:...
and Wilts & Dorset
Wilts & Dorset
Wilts & Dorset is a bus company in England covering Poole, Bournemouth, East Dorset, South Wiltshire and West Hampshire. Its local headquarters is in Poole, but it is owned by the Go-Ahead Group, a major UK transport group....
use stops on the London side. Taxi ranks are also located on both sides of the station.