| Canterbury West | |
|---|---|
| View of Main Platform from Ramsgate end prior to 2010 redevelopment | |
| Location | |
| Place | Canterbury |
| Local authority | Canterbury |
| Operations | |
| Station code | CBW |
| Managed by | Southeastern |
| Number of platforms | 2 |
| Live arrivals/departures and station information from National Rail Enquiries |
|
| Annual rail passenger usage | |
| 2004/05 * | 2.015 million |
| 2005/06 * | 2.172 million |
| 2006/07 * | 1.135 million |
| 2007/08 * | 1.338 million |
| 2008/09 * | 1.390 million |
| 2009/10 * | 1.464 million |
| History | |
| Opened 6 February 1846 | |
| National Rail - UK railway stations | |
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | |
| * Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Canterbury West from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Please note: methodology may vary year on year. | |
Canterbury West railway station is one of two stations in Canterbury in Kent. It is north-northwest of the city centre. It is served by Southeastern.
Although called Canterbury West the station is about ½ a mile due north of Canterbury East station, and only about twenty yards to its west.
The station and its line was built by the South Eastern Railway, while Canterbury East was built by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway.
Contents |
The station opened on 6 February 1846 when the South Eastern Railway began services to Ashford. Two months later in April services were extended to Ramsgate, and to Whitstable after conversion of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway and closure of the North Lane terminus. The station was built with two central through tracks and three platforms, one for the Whitstable branch.[1]
On 1 July 1889 the Elham Valley Railway reached Canterbury from Folkestone[2] and at this time the run-in boards read Canterbury (SER) Change for Whitstable and Elham Valley Line.[1]
The Whitstable branch closed to passenger traffic on 1 January 1931,[3] and traffic from the Elham Valley into Canterbury ceased from 1 December 1940. Following the Kent Coast Electrification Scheme Phase 2 in 1960 electric services started on 9 October 1961. Freight services were withdrawn on 13 September 1965 and the central through tracks were removed later in 1979.[1]
In December 2009, Canterbury West became part of the Southeastern High Speed service to London St Pancras using the High Speed line from Ashford, significantly reducing journey times to London
In 2010 the railway station was refurbished to improve the station's accessibility. Funded by the Department for Transport's Access for All Scheme, the main change was the construction of a new footbridge allowing a step-free route between the station entrance and both platforms using two lifts. Other improvements include new tactile paving along the edge of the platform, new toilet facilities, new customer information screens and lighting, the redecoration of the ticket office and changes to the car park layout.[4]
A ticket office (manned part time) and two ticket machines are contained within the main ticket hall, and the station is fitted with ticket barriers.
There is a small shop/cafe, and toilets on the London-bound platform.
There is parking and a taxi rank.
As of December 2011[update] the typical off-peak service from the station is:
| Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chartham | Southeastern Ashford to Ramsgate (via Canterbury West) line |
Sturry | ||
| Ashford International | Southeastern High Speed 1 London-Margate |
Ramsgate | ||
| Disused railways | ||||
| Terminus | British Rail Southern Region Canterbury and Whitstable Railway |
Whitstable Harbour | ||
| Terminus | Southern Railway Elham Valley Railway |
Canterbury South | ||