History of Squires Gate Station
PART 1: Once called 'Stony Hill'
BLACKPOOL AND LYTHAM RAILWAY BILL: The Preston Guardian,Saturday, March 9, 1861
"The select committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the merits of the bill to authorise the construction of a line of railway between Blackpool and Lytham met this morning, Mr. Ingham in the chair.
The other members of the committee were Sir E. Lacon, Mr. F. North, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Hardcastle." Although the railway was in place in 1863 it wasn't until 1865 - 1872 a halt was installed originally called Stony Hill Railway Halt that served the area.
"The select committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the merits of the bill to authorise the construction of a line of railway between Blackpool and Lytham met this morning, Mr. Ingham in the chair.
The other members of the committee were Sir E. Lacon, Mr. F. North, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Hardcastle." Although the railway was in place in 1863 it wasn't until 1865 - 1872 a halt was installed originally called Stony Hill Railway Halt that served the area.
1914 a train heading to Squires Gate said to be from Blackpool South near Watson Rd Bridge. At times the wind would be so severe blowing the sands on the line, they'd have to stop services!
PART 2: New bridge and station
It's estimated Squires Gate bridge was eventually built to allow trams pass over the railway sometime in the late 1800's then in 1930's Squires Gate Bridge was widened to 60 feet for the new railway station to be constructed.
In the very early days before the airport a path routed from Division Lane on the East side of the area ran across towards Starr Gate.
1931: After much development and after this line was connected to the Kirkham line the present station opened 14th September 1931 by the London Midland & Scottish Railway as Squires Gate Station. A district bank and booing office took share of the station not long after it opened.
The line only ran from Lytham to Blackpool Hounds Hill Station. Not connected to the line off out to Kirkham Station from Station Rd near where Lytham Fire Station is today.
PART 3: The change of development
In June 1932 the Earl of Plymouth, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Transport officially opened the new Bridge as marked by a plaque on the parapet. Still visible today.
PART 4: Helping the War effort
Around 1938 a spur siding line ran out of the goods sidings off towards the airport to help with the war effort. Just South on the West point of the station past the old holiday camp was a small bridge, the mounds are still present but no bridge remains. The holiday camp served to house troops during the war and they would often be taken by tram to Rossal firing range to practice.
PART 5: Camping Coaches
Later on in a few years Camping Coaches were rested in the goods sidings for family holiday's This yellow card was the rental charges for 1958.
"I think 1966 was the very last year that the camping coaches were provided at Squires Gate, thereafter they all went for scrap. Converted from mainly ex LNWR main line stock they allowed "hard working families" a cheap, self catering holiday in many holiday locations throughout the UK.
PART 6: Possible Closure
At it's peak this line ran all the way to Blackpool Central station serving millions of holiday makers headed for the Golden Mile, later closed in 1964.
1980's: On the cards to be axed it was reduced to a DMU shuttle service to Kirkham Station by a single line that halts at Blackpool South Station on Waterloo Rd. Served by one train an hour stopping at six other stations along the run to Kirkham & Wesham.
Photo below shows the Blackpool South Station in the 80's when the line was cut at Waterloo Road Bridge. However the signal box remained in use albeit on the wrong side to see the train!
PART 7: Returning to service
In the 90's the line was replaced, old station buildings removed and new regenerated platforms installed.
During the electrification upgrade of the Blackpool North to Preston line Squires Gate Bridge was rebuilt for extensive repairs completed over the Winter months of 2017 / 2018 the original parapets were restored on top pf new bridge spans.
PART 8: The Station Today
The remains of a signal post at the far end of Platform 2 looking South. The titled plan shows the layout in 1938 & was this the Red Semaphore Signal?
A busy station for it's type and expected to become busier with the prospect of investment on the Blackpool Airport area, a government enterprise zone. Talk of a passing loop to be installed further down the line near Ansdell & Fairhaven will increase the line's traffic for two trains an hour.
PART 9: FOSGS
FOSGS are a group of volunteers in partnership with Community Rail Lancashire that look after the Station. Placed on the boundary of Fylde and Blackpool South beside the airport. this group of volunteers help cleaning the platform, painting the fences, planting flowers etc within volunteers spare time. >MORE
Squires Gate Station | Friends of Squires Gate Station