Leek railway station was a railway station that served the town of Leek, Staffordshire. It was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849.[2] Passenger services to Uttoxeter were withdrawn in 1965 with complete closure following in 1970. For a short time in 1961–62, special football excursions (the "Stanley Matthews Express") were arranged to Stoke following the return of Stanley Matthews to Stoke City FC.

Leek
Leek station site, now a Morrisons Supermarket in 2018
General information
Location	Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands England
Coordinates	53.1003°N 2.0329°W / 53.1003; -2.0329
Grid reference	SJ978559
Other information
Status	Disused
History
Original company	North Staffordshire Railway
Post-grouping	London, Midland and Scottish Railway London Midland Region of British Railways
Key dates
13 July 1849	Opened[1]
4 January 1965	Closed to passengers[1]
3 July 1970	Closed to freight

History

Leek had a substantial station and goods yard, but competition from road transport led to the withdrawal of services to Stoke-on-Trent in 1956 and the remaining passenger services to Uttoxeter in 1965. Freight workings continued until 1970.[2]

The site of the station is now occupied by a Morrisons supermarket,[3] although the road bridge is still in situ between the latter's car park and petrol station.

Future

In 2009, Moorlands and City Railways Ltd (MCR) bought the 20 miles of railway line from Stoke in the west-direction of Leek, with a view to reconnect Leek with the national network.[4]

A new station could be constructed in Leek, possibly on the Cornhill development on the outskirts of the town, although the MCR would prefer a station closer to the town centre.[5][6] Following its initial refusal of planning permission in September 2014, Moorlands District Council accepted a second proposal which would see a station provided next to the 17-acre Barnfield Industrial Estate in Cornhill, on a site previously occupied by Hughes Concrete Products.[7] The new station would become the Churnet Valley Railway's northern terminus and the headquarters of the MCR.[7] The ¾-mile extension from Leek Brook would be funded by the sale of land within a triangle at Leekbrook for housing.[7]

Route

References