Berrington

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Berrington station in May 1964 (Sellick Collection)

Berrington was the first station south of Shrewsbury on the original Severn Valley line, located at milepost 168m 12c, 36½ miles from Hartlebury and 4¼ miles from Shrewsbury. It was situated close to the village of Cross Houses and about half a mile from the village of Berrington itself. The 1901 Census recorded the local population as 928, including the 'inmates' of the Cross Houses Union Workhouse.[1]

Next stations pre-closure
Towards Hartlebury and Kidderminster Towards Shrewsbury
Cressage (4 miles)
via Cound Halt (from 1934)
Shrewsbury (4¼ miles)

Opening

At opening on 1 February 1862, Berrington had a single platform and siding. On 14 June 1893 the GWRGreat Western Railway authorised the construction of a passing loop with a second platform which became the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) platform. This platform was provided with a platform shelter. The UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) platform was also extended, and a signal box and more significant sidings provided. The authorised cost of this work was £1,068. A year later on 14 June 1894 the work was approved by the Board of Trade inspector, Major Yorke, although he required a ladies’ waiting room and WC to be provided on the UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) platform. The GWRGreat Western Railway approved the construction of this at a cost of £240 on 8 August 1894.[2][1]

Closure

The station closed on 9 September 1963, when passenger services between Bewdley and Shrewsbury were withdrawn by BRBritish Rail or British Railways. Through freight services continued until 30 November of that year, after which the signal box was taken out of use on 2 December 1963.

The line through Berrington was maintained in working order for the move of boilers and other large equipment to Ironbridge power station which took place on 22 April 1966, after which time the line south of Berrington was completely closed and the track lifted.[3] The section of track between Berrington and Shrewsbury continued in use for testing Sentinel diesels until finally being closed by BRBritish Rail or British Railways on 21 January 1968.[4]

The station is now a private residence and small business.[5]

Traffic statistics

GWR Traffic statistics for Berrington, selected years prior to 1939
Passenger Traffic Freight Traffic
Year Tickets issued Parcels despatched Revenue (£) Tons received & despatched Revenue (£) Total revenue (£)
1903 16,855 4,695 881 8,275 1,951 2,832
1913 14,073 6,989 989 7,992 2,053 3,042
1923 9,014 5,380 973 5,042 2,379 3,352
1933 4,811 2,807 456 6,085 1,362 1,818
1938 3,348 2,967 303 6,086 1,774 2,077

In common with all stations on the Severn Valley Railway throughout that time, revenue from freight exceeded that from passenger services. The decrease in tickets sold from 1903 to 1938 was proportionately greater at Berrington than any other station on the Branch.[6]

Historic maps of Berrington station

  • 1902 OSOrdnance Survey map showing the second platform and passing loop

See also

The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership
Pre-1965 Map

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Vanns (1998) p. 25.
  2. Marshall (1989) p. 112.
  3. Magner (1997) p. 35.
  4. Mitchell & Smith (2007) p. 35.
  5. Station Cattery
  6. Nabarro (1971) p. 56.