Cheshire railway station closed since 1966 could make return

Beeston and Tarporley Station Reopening Group is delighted to announce it has received notice from the Department for Transport (DfT) that it has officially approved the reinstatement of Beeston and Tarporley Station.

Beeston Castle and Tarporley Station could soon be back on track.

The railway station was first opened as Beeston in 1840, and closed in April 1966. At present, only parts of the original station platform and the signal box remain.

But the Government's backing provides a pivotal step towards enhancing the connectivity of the area to the regional and national rail network.

Beeston Castle and Tarporley Station's site pictured in 2006.

It is a significant achievement for the reopening group, backed by Eddisbury MP and co-sponsor Edward Timpson CBE KC, as well as the numerous local residents who have supported the group's efforts.

Special mention should be made of our parish councils and the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, who, together with the DfT, helped fund the production of the reopening group's Outline Business Case (OBC).

Beeston Castle and Tarporley Station could soon be back on track.

Mr Timpson said of his role in keeping the project on the agenda in Westminster: “When I was elected MP for Eddisbury in 2019, one of my main priorities was to improve public transport connectivity across our rural areas – so to have opened up the rail network to our Central Cheshire communities is a significant achievement.

'Long haul'

"It’s been over 57 years since Beeston Castle & Tarporley Station served local residents and businesses, and we will soon place it – quite literally – back on the track.

Beeston Castle and Tarporley Station could soon be back on track.

"I want to thank the Station Reopening Group for the exemplary commitment and meticulous technical planning that has resulted in a resounding ‘yes’ from the Government at a time when infrastructure funding is so fiercely fought for.”

Michael Flynn, chair of BTSRG, added: “It has been a long haul to reach this point and the officers of the group are grateful to the many local people and stakeholders who have participated in the process and brought it to this stage.

A sign for the former Beeston Station.

"The next step in the project will be to re-engage with key stakeholders, including Transport for the North, Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils, Network Rail the infrastructure owner, and Transport for Wales the operator of the trains that will serve the station.

"Together we will develop a delivery plan based on the proposals in the OBC which will include the detailed design and financing package.”