SOUVENIR NEWSPAPER CELEBRATING THE RE-OPENING OF IRLAM STATION HOUSE Thursday 26th March 2015 An Historic Day for Irlam Station Today marks the re-launch of Irlam Station House, 122 years to the day since it first opened its doors to the public. After standing derelict for almost a quarter of a century, the Victorian building which now sits proudly on the platform, has undergone extensive restoration work to return it to its former glory! Over the years, Irlam and its district into a prosperous industrial station and bringing the buildings railways have been on a journey of area; the station was a bustling hub back into use, an agreement was made their own. This journey began with up until the 1960s. Passenger trains with the owner to lease the station the introduction of the Manchester were frequent and on time, and house which enabled development to to Liverpool Railway, the world’s a large volume of goods and raw commence. first inter-city line; although just materials were transported to and Following years of planning, over a mile outside of Irlam, it from the numerous factories in the consultation and extensive (and would become the foundations area, many of which operated their expensive) work, the revitalised of the future of transport and own internal railway systems linked station will provide lots of new industry for the area. to the main line at the station. facilities alongside original Coming online in 1873, Irlam’s Unfortunately these boom times architectural features, offering first railway station was pivotal in didn’t last. Transportation of goods visitors a taste of the present and a providing essential transport links through Irlam Station ended in flavour of the past. for goods and passengers between 1966 followed by the closure of The exterior of the building has Liverpool and Manchester and many heavy industries including the undergone extensive renovation to beyond. Steelworks. These factors, coupled recreate how it looked when it was first built. Original slates adorn the roof, the bright new paintwork is in the original London, Midland and Scottish Railways (LMS) colour scheme, and a magnificent canopy will provide visitors with shelter on rainy days and welcome shade from The station now has free station garden will add splashes the hot sun. parking for over 60 cars of colour throughout the year. Inside the building the pristine (including disabled bays), Whatever the reason for visiting, décor provides a relaxing atmosphere. motorcycles, and a new cycle it is now so much more than a station Should you want to eat there is a café hub. Enhanced lighting, security and will provide a safe and enjoyable bistro serving delicious food and and pedestrian footpaths ensure experience for the local community beverages and comfortable seating a safe environment. The general and the 240,000 rail users who use is provided while waiting for your surroundings are planted with the station each year. Thanks to very train. shrubs and trees, providing a successful partnership working, peaceful area for both people today is an historic day for Irlam and wildlife and the planned Station! The construction of the Manchester with the growth in road transport, Ship Canal in 1887 resulted in the had a huge impact on the area and railway line being raised and moved, the station, resulting in a reduction in with a new station house having to the frequency of trains. The station be built on the Manchester-bound gradually lapsed into disrepair until platform. Opened in 1893, the finally, in the 1980s, British Rail There is plenty to see too, with building had large canopies on both closed the station house and sold fascinating heritage material, platforms, which sheltered hundreds it off privately - it continued to photographs and artifacts from by- of passengers as they made their deteriorate. gone days. The magnificent clock has way to and from work, school or After being derelict for over 25 a story to tell; it began life in 1907 neighbouring districts. years, the Irlam Station Strategy on the old Irlam Council Offices Irlam Station played an important and stakeholder partnership was building. From there it moved high role in both the First and Second World born, combining the knowledge and up on a barn at Chat Moss, before War helping to move troops, goods resources of Salford City Council, finally being restored to its former and munitions, whilst continuing to NC Developments, Transport for glory, and coming to rest in a fitting serve the local community. Greater Manchester, Network Rail, new home where it will hopefully Both the railway and ship canal Northern Rail and Hamilton Davies continue to serve the district for were instrumental in turning the Trust. Tasked with redeveloping the another 100 years. 1800s Thursday 26th March 2015 Thursday 26th March 2015 1800s Chat Moss Makes the Irlam and Cadishead get on track! History Books! The first ever railway stations for Formed in 1863, the Cheshire well as the lucrative trans-pennine days, rest rooms, a ticket office and until now has only had access to much Irlam and Cadishead have now Lines Committee (CLC), a joint route: Sheffield to Stockport. a distinguished drinking fountain slower forms of transport, whether arrived. venture combining the Great Irlam and Cadishead stations similar to those featured at other on foot, by horse and cart or stage Thanks to the approval of the Northern Railway, the Manchester, have now opened their doors to both CLC owned stations. coach from Irlam’s Ship Hotel or Cheshire Lines Committee Act, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway passengers and goods, offering a new Cadishead, a much smaller the Coach and Horses in Cadishead, powers were granted to build 143 and the Midland Railway became form of transport to the area between station, will be used in the main for travel is now possible at speed and miles of railway, 34 of which now the second-largest railway in Great the two major cities of Manchester transporting goods, linking Yorkshire in the comfort of a railway carriage connect Manchester with Liverpool Britain. Their aim was to access and Liverpool. with Lancashire and delivering coal from one of the new stations, which at Garston (Cressington Junction) the rich trade of Liverpool and The station at Irlam offers a to the Liverpool Docks. For local is a great improvement. via Irlam, and Skelton Junction West Lancashire with extra tracks goods and passenger service, an residents, a passenger service is also Both stations are great arrivals, (Altrincham) to Glazebrook East connecting Liverpool and Manchester internal waiting room for ladies with available. firmly putting Irlam and Cadishead Junction via Cadishead. to surrounding towns and villages as a roaring fire for those cold winter For the seasoned traveler who up on the map. The peat bog that has supported new Manchester to Liverpool line a floating raft set upon a stone and of engineering, given the challenging between Liverpool and Manchester Manchester Ship Canal Plans Announced! a flourishing farming community is the world’s first railway to be wooden foundation across the peat nature of the peat bog on which it with an estimated journey time for many years is now home to built on a double track throughout bog. Running 36 miles between sits. of only two hours. Prior to its the first ever intercity passenger its length and to rely exclusively on the two cities, the railway needed Located just a mile outside of construction the journey between railway in the world! steam power with no horse-drawn a host of bridges and viaducts to Irlam, the railway has primarily the two cities could take over half Building on the success of the traffic permitted at any time. be constructed to support its track. been built to provide faster a day by horse and cart and more Stockton and Darlington Railway Designed by Robert Stephenson, The project, which cost a total of transportation of passengers, than two days via the Mersey and which opened five years ago, the the railway track has been built on £820,000, has been hailed a triumph raw materials and finished goods Irwell Navigation. Fatal Start for the Railway Boom! Since the opening of the Manchester from Manchester being able to reach to Liverpool line, the country has the capital in just ten hours! gone rail mad! Travel has been completely With the railway proving to be a transformed in England through huge success, carrying an astonishing the introduction of the rail network Manchester to 445,000 people in its first year, it led and this is expected to continue. to a surge in rail transport connecting The newly formed LNWR cities and villages up and down the (London and North Western country. Railway), a merger of three key The line was subsequently railway companies (Liverpool connected to Warrington, and then to and Manchester, Grand Junction Liverpool Railway Birmingham via the Grand Junction and London and Birmingham Railway; the 99 mile journey from Railway) will have a major impact Manchester to Birmingham taking on the speed and cost of transport 4 1⁄2 hours. Birmingham was then for travel and trade. connected to London, with trains The railway boom has begun! Plans have now been unveiled for Mersey, the Bridgewater Canal and by Faced with stiff opposition from the construction of the Manchester the Manchester to Liverpool Railway. Liverpool and the rail companies, the Ship Canal (MSC) following the Unfortunately over recent times canal’s advocates initiated a public approval of the parliamentary act. the Irwell and Mersey Navigation campaign to enlist support for the The ship canal proposals were has fallen into disrepair becoming scheme and continued to push the First developed to give ocean-going unusable, forcing businesses to use the genuine benefits of the project, which vessels direct access to Manchester railway companies whose prices have after two years resulted in success! and bypassing the Liverpool Docks become excessive, when combined With the region still suffering from which currently represent the only with those charged at the Liverpool the effects of the Long Depression, gateway for transporting merchandise Docks.