Mitcham Eastfields railway station

Mitcham Eastfields (initially known as Eastfields during planning and construction)[3] is a railway station in London, United Kingdom, which opened on 2 June 2008.[4] The station is located at Eastfields Road level crossing,[3] in an area previously poorly served by public transport. The nearest station was Mitcham Junction, which along with Mitcham tram stop, was over 1 mile (1.6 km) from the district.[5] It is in fare zone 3.[6]

Mitcham Eastfields
Mitcham Eastfields
Location of Mitcham Eastfields in Greater London
LocationEastfields and Mitcham
Local authorityLondon Borough of Merton
Managed bySouthern
Station codeMTC
DfT categoryE
Number of platforms2
AccessibleYes[1]
Fare zone3
National Rail annual entry and exit
2014–15 0.922 million[2]
2015–16 1.539 million[2]
2016–17 1.380 million[2]
2017–18 1.352 million[2]
2018–19 1.373 million[2]
Railway companies
Original companyNetwork Rail
Key dates
2 June 2008Opened
Other information
External links
WGS8451.4077°N 0.1547°W / 51.4077; -0.1547
London transport portal

History

Proposals for the station have apparently existed since the 1930s.[3] Planning permission was granted by the London Borough of Merton in August 2007.[7] Construction started in October 2007. Following consultation, there were hopes to have the station open by December 2007.

The opening was originally scheduled for 19 May 2008 but that date was subsequently put back because Network Rail did not feel the station would be ready until early June.[8] The opening was then planned for the morning of Monday 2 June 2008, but in the event it was delayed till the afternoon by safety inspections. It finally opened at 16:00 and the first train called at 16:11.

Design

The station cost £6 million, and was the second station to be built to a modular design developed by Network Rail, which is also used at Corby railway station and Greenhithe railway station which was the first to be constructed.[9] The platforms are 170 m (560 ft) long, with a building on the up (northbound) platform. Each platform is situated downstream of the level crossing, allowing the crossing to be reopened while trains are stopped at the station, minimising the disruption to road traffic. However this means that passengers must cross Eastfields Road (no controlled crossing at present) if they wish to purchase a ticket on the northbound side and then travel southbound. The footbridge on the southbound side only allows safe movement over the railway and not the road.

Services

Southern operates northbound services to London Victoria and southbound services to Epsom. Thameslink run a figure of six service, running northbound to Luton and southbound to Sutton. In peak hours, trains run northbound to London Bridge and southbound to Dorking and Horsham.

This station is an interchange for those wishing to connect from Southern destinations served on northbound London Victoria services, such as Balham to London Bridge linked stations such as Tulse Hill.

Preceding station National Rail Following station
Balham   Southern
Sutton & Mole Valley Lines		   Mitcham Junction
Streatham
Peak hours only		    
Streatham   Thameslink
Thameslink		   Mitcham Junction

Connections

London Buses routes 152 and 463 serve the station.

References
  1. "Network Map". Southern. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  2. "Station usage estimates". Rail statistics. Office of Rail Regulation. Please note: Some methodology may vary year on year.
  3. "Merton Council gives green light to Eastfields railway station" (Press release). London Borough of Merton. 24 August 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  4. "Mitcham Eastfields station to open today - LATEST". Southern Railway. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  5. "Eastfields Station". TFL. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  6. "London Connections map" (PDF). ATOC. 1 February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
  7. "Residents' questions answered on new Eastfields station" (Press release). London Borough of Merton. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2007.
  8. "First Capital Connect - Mitcham Eastfields station". Retrieved 20 May 2008.
  9. "Modular station opens this month". Railway Gazette International. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
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