Blackheath railway station
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Blackheath | |
---|---|
Location | Blackheath |
Local authority | London Borough of Lewisham |
Managed by | Southeastern |
Station code | BKH |
DfT category | C2 |
Number of platforms | 2 |
Accessible | Yes |
Fare zone | 3 |
National Rail annual entry and exit | |
2012–13 | 2.929 million[1] |
– interchange | 17,616[1] |
2013–14 | 3.056 million[1] |
– interchange | 16,231[1] |
2014–15 | 3.226 million[1] |
– interchange | 17,584[1] |
2015–16 | 3.448 million[1] |
– interchange | 16,284[1] |
2016–17 | 3.469 million[1] |
– interchange | 41,831[1] |
Key dates | |
30 July 1849 | Opened |
Listed status | |
Listed feature | Blackheath Railway Station |
Listing grade | II |
Entry number | 1358479[2] |
Added to list | 12 March 1973 |
Other information | |
External links | |
Coordinates | 51°27′57″N 0°00′32″E / 51.4658°N 0.0089°E |
London transport portal |
Blackheath railway station is Grade II-listed and situated in the heart of Blackheath village in southeast London. It is 8 miles 52 chains (13.9 km) measured from London Victoria.
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 bricks 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 (1.6 km) 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. Glass and metal waiting shelters were erected on the London ends of both platforms in April 2018. 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.
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. Conversely, 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 Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and The Conservatoire are approximately 100m south of the station.
Services
The typical off-peak service from the station is:
- 4tph (trains per hour) to London Charing Cross
- 2tph to London Cannon Street
- 2tph to London Victoria via Denmark Hill
- 2tph to Barnehurst then returning to London Cannon Street via Greenwich
- 4tph to Dartford via Bexleyheath of which 2 continue to Gravesend
- 2tph to Dartford via Woolwich Arsenal
Preceding station | National Rail | Following station | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Lewisham | Southeastern North Kent Line |
Charlton | ||
Southeastern Bexleyheath Line & Victoria-Dartford Line |
Kidbrooke |
Facilities
There is an adjacent car park to the north of the station (with 205 spaces) and another nearby off Blackheath Grove. Both are managed by the local authority. Charges apply 365 days a year at all times.
Connections
London Buses routes 54, 89, 108 and 202 and night route N89 serve the station.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Estimates of station usage". Rail statistics. Office of Rail Regulation. Please note: Some methodology may vary year on year.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1358479)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- Use dmy dates from August 2012
- Rail transport stations in London fare zone 3
- DfT Category C2 stations
- Railway stations in the London Borough of Lewisham
- Former South Eastern Railway (UK) stations
- Railway stations opened in 1849
- Railway stations served by Southeastern
- Blackheath, London
- 1849 establishments in England
- Grade II listed buildings in the London Borough of Lewisham