Navigating Kirkham & Wesham Station: Your Guide

Kirkham & Wesham Station stands as a vital link in the heart of Lancashire's rail network, connecting communities and offering access to key destinations. Whether you're a seasoned commuter, a leisure traveller, or simply passing through, understanding the nuances of this station can significantly enhance your journey. From its unique drop-off arrangements to its comprehensive accessibility features and a rich history of modernisation, this guide aims to provide a thorough overview, ensuring your experience at Kirkham & Wesham is as smooth and informed as possible. Prepare to dive into the details that make this station a fascinating and functional part of the UK's railway landscape.

Getting to Kirkham & Wesham Station: A Practical Approach

For many travellers, the initial concern is often how to physically reach the station itself. Unlike some larger railway hubs that boast dedicated drop-off zones or extensive car parks, Kirkham & Wesham Station operates with a more straightforward approach. There is no specifically designated area for dropping off or picking up passengers. Instead, street set down only is available. This means that drivers will need to utilise the adjacent public roads for brief stops to allow passengers to alight or embark. It’s always advisable to be mindful of local parking restrictions and traffic flow when performing a street set down to ensure safety and compliance.

Navigating to the station by car or taxi will typically involve using Station Road. Once you've arrived, the station layout is designed to facilitate easy access, particularly for those requiring step-free entry, which we will delve into further. Planning your arrival time, especially during peak hours, can help manage any potential congestion around the street set-down areas.

Station Facilities and Unrivalled Accessibility

Kirkham & Wesham Station prides itself on being a modern and inclusive transport hub, catering to a wide range of passenger needs. It holds the esteemed designation of a Category A Station, which signifies a high standard of accessibility across its facilities. This is particularly good news for passengers with mobility challenges, as the station is also recognised as a Scooter Friendly Station, indicating its suitability for users of mobility scooters.

Step-Free Access and Lifts

One of the most significant improvements in recent years has been the enhancement of step-free access. Travellers can enjoy level access from Station Road directly through double doors into the booking hall. From there, modern lift access is available to both platforms, eliminating the need to navigate stairs. This comprehensive approach ensures that everyone, regardless of mobility, can move freely and safely throughout the station premises, making journeys less stressful and more enjoyable.

Ticket Office Hours and Services

The station’s ticket office is conveniently located at street level and is staffed throughout the week, providing essential services such as ticket purchases, information, and assistance. The operating hours are designed to cover the busiest travel periods:

• Monday to Friday: 06:40 to 17:45
• Saturday: 06:40 to 17:45
• Sunday: 09:00 to 16:15

For those times when the booking office is closed, or for the convenience of pre-paid ticket collection, a self-service ticket machine is also available. At platform level, passengers will find waiting shelters for comfort, alongside digital Customer Information Screens (CIS) and traditional timetable posters, ensuring you stay informed about your train’s status.

A Glimpse into History: Kirkham & Wesham Station's Evolution

The history of Kirkham & Wesham Station is as rich and intricate as the railway lines it serves. Opened in 1840, the station initially bore the name Kirkham and was situated to the west of Station Road. Its strategic importance quickly grew, leading to a significant rebuild in 1890, which saw it relocated to the east side of the road and subsequently renamed Kirkham and Wesham. Interestingly, the historical boundary between Kirkham and Wesham has always been the Wrangway Brook, beside which the railway was laid, with all the station buildings firmly situated within Kirkham.

Architectural and Structural Changes

Originally, the station featured two platforms, a layout that saw considerable transformation during the 2017 and 2018 remodelling works, which introduced a crucial third platform. Evident signs of the station’s former grandeur can still be observed in the disused sidings areas and blocked-off arches, hinting at its larger operational footprint in bygone eras. A notable architectural feature of the past was a magnificent cast iron and glass roof, similar to that at Poulton-le-Fylde station, which once covered the platforms but was unfortunately removed in the 1960s. The 2018 refurbishment also brought about the installation of modern lifts, significantly improving accessibility.

Track Layout and Signalling Heritage

For many years, fast lines ran from Kirkham North Junction, located about half a mile west of the station, to Kirkham South Junction, just east of the station. These lines allowed through trains to bypass the platforms entirely and were the last remnants of a four-track system that originally commenced at Preston. These were eventually removed during the 2017 remodelling to accommodate the third platform and to create a faster alignment for the remaining and new lines. All disused sidings were also cleared during this period.

The station’s signalling history is equally compelling. The signalbox at Kirkham North Junction, opened in 1903, was a formidable structure with over 70 levers, operated by two signalmen and a train recorder. A framed summary from July 1936 revealed an astonishing 656 train movements in a 24-hour period, a testament to the bustling Blackpool holiday trade. Other signalboxes, such as Kirkham Station signalbox (demolished 1977) and Treales signalbox (abolished 1977), also played their part in managing the complex network.

Branch Lines and Connections

To the west of the station, Kirkham North Junction serves as a critical divergence point. Here, the suburban branch line to Blackpool South branches off, following the scenic Fylde coast through Lytham, Ansdell and Fairhaven, and St Annes on Sea. The main line, meanwhile, continues to Blackpool North via Poulton. Between 1903 and 1965, a third express line, known as the “Marton Line,” offered a direct route to Blackpool South and beyond to Blackpool Central. This line featured a flyover to enable Preston-bound trains to access the Up Fast line from the Marton line, with the disused bridge eventually removed in the 1980s after the line’s closure in 1965.

Modernisation and the Great North Rail Project

The early 21st century heralded a new era for Kirkham & Wesham Station, marked by significant investment and modernisation efforts. A makeover in March 2011 saw a major refurbishment of the staircase, but this was merely a prelude to the more extensive Great North Rail Project (GNRP) and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) initiatives that would fundamentally transform the station and its surrounding lines.

Electrification and Major Rebuild

The government’s approval in 2009 for the electrification of the line from Manchester to Blackpool North was a game-changer. This ambitious project not only aimed to electrify the route but also provided a crucial opportunity for a complete renewal of the line’s signalling and a comprehensive rebuild and improvement of stations along the route, including Kirkham & Wesham. A substantial portion of this work was carried out during a major blockade, minimising disruption over an extended period.

The plans involved a radical remodelling of the track layout, with non-platform lines being removed to streamline operations. A third platform was added to increase capacity, and the footbridge was completely rebuilt to modern standards. New signalling systems were installed, and the route from Preston to Blackpool North was successfully electrified. It’s important to note that while the route to Blackpool North saw electrification, the branch line to Blackpool South was not included in this phase of the project.

The work at the station commenced in mid-2017, culminating in a total blockade from Preston to Blackpool North and South, which began in November 2017 and was completed in April 2018, just in time for the May 2018 timetable change. The station partially reopened with services to Blackpool South on 29th January 2018, though the full reopening of the line to Blackpool North was subsequently pushed back to 16th April 2018. This slight delay was attributed to adverse weather conditions and maintenance issues encountered with one of the infrastructure trains crucial to the upgrade works.

Understanding Train Services and Seating Availability

Accessing train services from Kirkham & Wesham is generally straightforward, though like any rail network, it can be subject to occasional disruptions. Information provided indicates that services can sometimes be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a member of train crew being unavailable. While frustrating, such instances are typically communicated via station information screens and public address systems.

Seating Availability Insights

For many travellers, knowing the likelihood of securing a seat is a key factor in planning their journey. Southeastern, one of the operators, provides useful insights into usual seating availability, based on data collected over the preceding seven days. This information, while not exhaustive for all trains, offers a valuable guide to passenger comfort levels. The categories used to describe seating availability include:

• Many seats available
• Plenty of seats available
• Some seats available
• Only a few seats available
• Standing room only
• n/a Data unavailable

This pilot initiative aims to expand its coverage to all services, reflecting an ongoing commitment to improving the passenger experience. Feedback on this pilot is actively encouraged via [email protected].

Kirkham & Wesham Station at a Glance: Key Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Kirkham & Wesham Station

Q: Is there parking available at Kirkham & Wesham Station?

A: The provided information does not specify designated parking facilities. For drop-offs and pick-ups, only street set down is available. It is advisable to check local parking regulations for any nearby public car parks if you plan to leave your vehicle.

Q: What does 'Category A Station' mean for accessibility?

A: A 'Category A Station' designation signifies that the station offers a high level of accessibility, including step-free access to all platforms. At Kirkham & Wesham, this is achieved via level access from Station Road to the booking hall and then lift access to both platforms, making it suitable for all passengers, including those with mobility impairments or using scooters.

Q: Why are some train services cancelled from Kirkham & Wesham?

A: According to the information, services can be cancelled due to various operational reasons, such as 'a member of train crew being unavailable'. While disruptive, these cancellations are usually communicated at the station to keep passengers informed.

Q: When were the lifts installed at Kirkham & Wesham Station?

A: Lifts were installed at Kirkham & Wesham Station in 2018 as part of the extensive Preston to Blackpool electrification scheme and station remodelling. This significantly enhanced the station's step-free access capabilities.

Q: Has the route to Blackpool South been electrified?

A: No, the information states that while the route from Preston to Blackpool North was electrified as part of the Great North Rail Project, the route to Blackpool South has not been electrified.

Conclusion

Kirkham & Wesham Station has evolved significantly since its inception, transforming into a highly accessible and efficient transport hub serving the Fylde coast and beyond. With its commitment to step-free access, modern facilities, and a rich historical backdrop, it continues to be a crucial part of the UK’s railway network. Understanding its operational details, from drop-off procedures to service availability, empowers travellers to navigate their journeys with confidence and ease. As the station continues to serve thousands of passengers annually, its blend of heritage and modern convenience truly makes it a remarkable point of connection.

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