Wootton Broadmead Halt railway station

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Wootton Broadmead Halt
Wootton Broadmead railway station (site) (geograph 3386098).jpg
The site of the station in 2012
General information
Location Stewartby, Bedford
England
Grid reference TL020436
Platforms2
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original company London and North Western Railway
Post-grouping London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1905Opened
1 January 1917Temporary closure
5 May 1919Reopened
5 May 1941Temporary closure [1]
After June 1952Official closure [2]

Wootton Broadmead Halt was a railway station on the Varsity Line which served the settlement of Wootton Broadmead near Stewartby in Bedfordshire, England. Opened in 1905, it was closed temporarily during both world wars and did not reopen after 1941, officially closing in 1952.

Contents

History

Wootton Broadmead was one of three halts opened by the London and North Western Railway in 1905 between Stewartby and Bedford. Their opening coincided with the introduction of a steam railmotor on the Varsity Line, and each was sited alongside a level crossing. All three halts were opened at the same time and were all closed during the First World War as an economy measure. Wootton Broadmead and Kempston & Elstow Halt were also suspended from service during the Second World War for the same reason, never to reopen. Wootton Broadmead lingered without use until it was officially closed in 1952. [3]

Unlike other halts to the south and north, Wootton Broadmead was not conveniently situated near any local community, although there was a brickworks in the vicinity. It was located at the north end of Forder's Sidings on the line's 12 milepost.

Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Stewartby   British Railways
Varsity Line
  Kempston Hardwick

Present day

Nothing remains of the halt.

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References

  1. Clinker, C.R. (October 1978). Clinker's Register of Closed Passenger Stations and Goods Depots in England, Scotland and Wales 1830-1977. Bristol: Avon-AngliA Publications & Services. p. 164. ISBN   0-905466-19-5.
  2. Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Sparkford, ISBN   1-85260-508-1, p. 255.
  3. Simpson, Bill (1981). Oxford to Cambridge Railway (Vol. 2). Poole, Dorset: Oxford Publishing Co. p. 69. ISBN   0-86093-121-8.

Coordinates: 52°04′51″N0°30′44″W / 52.0808°N 0.5122°W / 52.0808; -0.5122