Blackheath railway station
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| Blackheath | |||
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|---|---|---|---|
| Location | |||
| Place | Blackheath | ||
| Local authority | Lewisham | ||
| Operations | |||
| Station code | BKH | ||
| Managed by | Southeastern | ||
| Platforms in use | 2 | ||
| Live departures and station information from National Rail | |||
| Annual Passenger Usage | |||
| 2004/05 * | 1.980 million | ||
| 2005/06 * | 2.005 million | ||
| Transport for London | |||
| Zone | 3 | ||
| History | |||
| Key dates | Opened 30 July 1849 | ||
| Transport for London List of London stations: Underground | National Rail |
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| * Annual passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Blackheath from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. | |||
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Blackheath railway station is situated in the heart of Blackheath village in London at grid reference TQ39617600. The track passes through the village and is crossed by a road overbridge on which the station buildings stand.
Much of the original station, dating back at track level to 1849 and at ticket office level to 1879, remains. It was built using London Brick to a design by George Smith (who also built Greenwich station). At the "country" end of the platforms the lines separate to the North Kent and Bexleyheath Lines. The former passes through the mile-long (1.6km) Blackheath Tunnel immediately after the junction; the latter through the shorter Kidbrooke Tunnel after a short cutting.
Blackheath's station has two platforms which are partially covered with a weather canopy. The downside platform has a disused platform face (bay platform) facing towards London, used in earlier days by commuter trains terminating here. Unusually, the track in the bay remains in situ, although it is now heavily overgrown and otherwise obstructed. The area to the north (now a car-park) was formerly an area of railway sidings, where commuter trains were stabled when not in use.
The bay platform used to come into its own when a circus was taking place on Blackheath. Many of the animals would arrive in train vans. The circus would then process through Blackheath Village on to the heath. There is a local legend that on one occasion an elephant took exception to a passing bus — and the bus lost!
The station cannot be relied upon as a way of reaching Blackheath during November's traditional free firework show, as it normally closes early on that day for safety reasons. Contrastingly in April, on the Sunday of the London Marathon, it is crucial in enabling athletes and their supporters to reach the starting line, as on that day bus services across the heath are usually suspended as roads are closed.
Blackheath Halls, run by Trinity College of Music, are close to the station.
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[edit] Services
Services today are available to central London via Lewisham and to north Kent via the Woolwich and Bexleyheath lines. All passenger services are run by Southeastern, the successors of South Eastern Trains, who in turn took over after the French Connex South Eastern lost the franchise.
| Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisham | Southeastern North Kent Line |
Charlton | ||
| Southeastern Bexleyheath Line |
Kidbrooke | |||
[edit] Facilities
There is a car park directly behind the station and the other is situated across the road. Managed by the local authority, it has 205 spaces. Charges apply Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. [1]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Train times and station information for Blackheath railway station from National Rail
- Blackheath railway station is at coordinates Coordinates:
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