General information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Valley, Anglesey Wales | ||||
Coordinates | 53°16′52″N4°33′47″W / 53.281°N 4.563°W | ||||
Grid reference | SH291791 | ||||
Managed by | Transport for Wales Rail | ||||
Platforms | 2 | ||||
Other information | |||||
Station code | VAL | ||||
Classification | DfT category F2 | ||||
Key dates | |||||
October 1849 | Opened | ||||
14 February 1966 | Closed | ||||
15 March 1982 | Reopened | ||||
6 July 2020 | Temporarily closed | ||||
21 August 2021 | Reopened | ||||
Passengers | |||||
2019/20 | 13,458 | ||||
2020/21 | 142 | ||||
2021/22 | 5,254 | ||||
2022/23 | 12,436 | ||||
2023/24 | 17,558 | ||||
Listed Building –Grade II | |||||
Feature | Valley Railway Station Main Building | ||||
Designated | 30 July 1991 | ||||
Reference no. | 5759 [2] | ||||
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Valley railway station (Welsh :Gorsaf reilffordd y Fali) is a railway station that serves the village of Valley in Anglesey,Wales. It is the last station before the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line at Holyhead. It also serves the nearby RAF base and Anglesey Airport.
Opened in 1849,there was a small goods yard for livestock and a siding for a nearby corn mill. Improvements during the 19th century included extension to the station buildings in 1870 and lengthening of the platforms in 1889. In 1962 transfer sidings were put in place near the station used for the dispatch by rail of spent fuel from the Wylfa nuclear power station and in 1989 sidings for turning steam locomotives were put in place. [3]
The station was one of many small ones on the line closed in February 1966 as a result of the Beeching Axe,but it reopened to passenger trains in March 1982 after a sustained lobbying campaign by local residents. [4] The westbound platform and waiting room were both demolished after the initial closure,but replacements were constructed prior to reopening;the main buildings on the eastbound side survived during the closure period (along with the platform they stood on) and remain intact to this day. [5] The Grade II listed station signal box remains in use to supervise the B4545 level crossing here in addition to the aforementioned sidings.
On 6 July 2020 trains stopped calling at the station because of the short platform and the inability to maintain social distancing between passengers and the guard when opening the train door during the COVID-19 pandemic. [6] On 11 August 2021 it was announced that the station would re-open. Local member of parliament Rhun ap Iorwerth criticised the length of the closure stating,"I still can't understand why there couldn't have been a way to open it safely before now,and I've made my frustration clear,but better late than never." [7]
The station is unstaffed (like all those between Bangor and Holyhead) and has no ticket machine,so all tickets have to be purchased prior to travel or on the train. Train running information is offered via a telephone,digital CIS displays and timetable posters. Step-free access is provided to both sides via the level crossing,although access for wheelchairs and mobility scooters is not easy from the down platform (2) due to the unpaved path. [8]
There is a basic two-hourly weekday service in each direction from the station in the winter 2022 timetable,with several additional morning and evening departures. Most eastbound trains run to Wrexham General,Shrewsbury and Birmingham International,although some run to either Crewe,Manchester Airport or Cardiff. [9]
The Sunday service is irregular but serves a variety of eastbound destinations,including Crewe,Cardiff,Manchester Airport and Birmingham International.
Trains only stop here on request.
Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
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Transport for Wales North Wales Coast Line |
The North Wales Main Line,also known as the North Wales Coast Line,is a major railway line in the north of Wales and Cheshire,England,running from Crewe on the West Coast Main Line to Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. The line has 19 stations,with all except two,Chester and Crewe,being in Wales.
Bangor railway station serves the city of Bangor,Gwynedd;it is operated by Transport for Wales. The station,which is 24+3⁄4 miles (40 km) east of Holyhead,is the last mainland station on the North Wales Coast line between Crewe and Holyhead. It is the busiest in terms of passenger numbers in North Wales,as it serves the community around Caernarfon and further west. It is close to the Snowdonia National Park and Bangor University,and has an interchange with bus services to the various towns and villages of north-west Gwynedd and Anglesey.
Newport is the second-busiest railway station in Wales. It is situated in Newport city centre and is 133 miles 13 chains (214.3 km) from London Paddington measured via Bristol Parkway,and 158 miles 50 chains (255.3 km) via Stroud.
Llandudno Junction is a station serving the village of Llandudno Junction on the North Wales Main Line between Crewe and Holyhead. The station is managed by Transport for Wales Rail,although Avanti West Coast services also stop there. It is a junction for trains to Llandudno and the Conwy Valley line.
Llanfairpwll railway station,also signposted as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,is a station on the North Wales Coast Line from Crewe to Holyhead,serving the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll,Anglesey,Wales.
Chester railway station is located in Newtown,Chester,England. Services are operated by Avanti West Coast,Merseyrail,Northern and Transport for Wales. From 1875 to 1969,the station was known as Chester General to distinguish it from Chester Northgate. The station's Italianate frontage was designed by the architect Francis Thompson.
Flint railway station serves the town of Flint in Flintshire,North Wales. It is located on the North Wales Coast Line and is managed by Transport for Wales,who provide most of the passenger trains that call here. There are certain Avanti West Coast services that serve the station.
Abergele &Pensarn railway station is a stop on the North Wales Coast Line,which serves both the town of Abergele and suburb of Pensarn in Conwy County Borough,Wales.
Llandudno railway station serves the seaside town of Llandudno in North Wales. It is the terminus of a 3 miles (4.8 km) long branch line from Llandudno Junction on the North Wales Coast Line,between Crewe and Holyhead. The station is managed by Transport for Wales Rail,who operate all trains serving it. Llandudno Victoria station,the lower terminus of the Great Orme Tramway,is a 15-minute walk from the main station.
Conwy railway station serves the town of Conwy,north Wales,and is located on the North Wales Main Line,between Crewe and Holyhead. It is served by Transport for Wales,on services from Holyhead to South Wales and Birmingham International.
Llanfairfechan railway station serves the town of Llanfairfechan,Wales,and is located on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line 51+1⁄4 miles (82.5 km) west of Chester.
Penmaenmawr railway station serves the town of Penmaenmawr,Wales,and is located on the North Wales Coast Line between Crewe and Holyhead,49+1⁄4 miles (79.3 km) west of Chester.
Colwyn Bay railway station is on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line serving the seaside town of Colwyn Bay in North Wales.
Rhyl railway station is on the Crewe to Holyhead North Wales Coast Line and serves the holiday resort of Rhyl,Wales.
Prestatyn railway station on the North Wales Coast Line serves the town of Prestatyn in North Wales.
Wrexham General is the main railway station serving the city of Wrexham,north-east Wales,and one of the two serving the city,alongside Wrexham Central. It is currently operated and mostly served by Transport for Wales,with some additional services provided by Avanti West Coast to London Euston.
Bodorgan railway station serves the hamlet of Bodorgan and the village of Bethel on the Isle of Anglesey,Wales. The stop is an unmanned halt,and serves as a request stop for Chester and Holyhead-bound local trains along the North Wales coast.
Holyhead railway station serves the Welsh town of Holyhead on Holy Island,Anglesey. The station is the western terminus of the North Wales Main Line 105+1⁄2 miles (170 km) west of Crewe and is managed by Transport for Wales Rail. It connects with the Port of Holyhead ferry terminal. The station is connected to the town centre by a stainless steel pedestrian/cycle bridge named The Celtic Gateway.
TŷCroes railway station serves TŷCroes on the isle of Anglesey,Wales which is served by Transport for Wales Rail and is a request stop.
Rhosneigr railway station serves the village of Rhosneigr on the Isle of Anglesey,off the coast of north Wales. The unstaffed station is managed by Transport for Wales Rail,who also operate all trains that serve it.
Media related to Valley railway station at Wikimedia Commons