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Some train stations used by 'fewer than 30' people Airport rail station 'had only 14 passengers in year'
(about 17 hours later)
Some of Britain's mainline train stations are being used by fewer than 30 people a year, a new study suggests. Some of Britain's mainline railway stations are being used by fewer than 30 people a year, a new study suggests.
Teesside Airport station, in Darlington, had just 14 passengers between 2011-12. Teesside Airport station, in Darlington, had just 14 passengers in 2011-12.
Surrey's Dorking West had 16 passengers, while Denton in Greater Manchester had 30. Dorking West in Surrey had 16 passengers, while Denton in Greater Manchester had 30, it says.
First Great Western, which runs services through Dorking West, say there is "an anomaly" in the calculations and the figure is wrong.First Great Western, which runs services through Dorking West, say there is "an anomaly" in the calculations and the figure is wrong.
The estimates are based on station exits and entrances in the 12 months ending March 2012. They have been compiled by transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave for the Office of Rail Regulation.The estimates are based on station exits and entrances in the 12 months ending March 2012. They have been compiled by transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave for the Office of Rail Regulation.
But First Great Western and the Department for Transport pointed out that passengers getting on and off at Dorking West may not necessarily have bought their tickets at the station, which could explain the low numbers.But First Great Western and the Department for Transport pointed out that passengers getting on and off at Dorking West may not necessarily have bought their tickets at the station, which could explain the low numbers.
James Davis, a spokesman for First Great Western, said: "This is an anomaly in their accounting system which is not reflective of the true numbers of people using Dorking West."James Davis, a spokesman for First Great Western, said: "This is an anomaly in their accounting system which is not reflective of the true numbers of people using Dorking West."
User statistics for Dorking West suggest nearly everyone prefers to travel from the town's two other stations - Dorking and Dorking Deepdene. User statistics for Dorking West suggest nearly everyone prefers to travel from the town's two other stations, Dorking and Dorking Deepdene.
'Ghost trains''Ghost trains'
In the previous year, Teesside Airport had only 18 passengers, Dorking West had 22, while Denton had 52. In the previous year, Teesside Airport had only 18 passengers, Dorking West had 22 and Denton had 52.
Denton has just one train a week - a one-way Friday morning service that runs between Stockport and Stalybridge.Denton has just one train a week - a one-way Friday morning service that runs between Stockport and Stalybridge.
Northern Rail, which runs the Denton service, said they were legally obliged to keep the station open. Northern Rail, which runs the Denton service, said it was legally obliged to keep the station open.
"It was part of our rail franchise agreement that we would keep this Denton service going in order to keep the line open," a spokeswoman said."It was part of our rail franchise agreement that we would keep this Denton service going in order to keep the line open," a spokeswoman said.
"These particular services are known by some as ghost trains.""These particular services are known by some as ghost trains."
Alan Jones, chairman of the Friends of Denton Station group, said the service was "mainly used by rail enthusiasts".Alan Jones, chairman of the Friends of Denton Station group, said the service was "mainly used by rail enthusiasts".
But he questioned the Office of Rail Regulation's estimates, saying between 20 and 30 people use the service every week.But he questioned the Office of Rail Regulation's estimates, saying between 20 and 30 people use the service every week.
Teesside Airport station is also part of the Northern Rail network and, like Denton, is operated as part of the company's franchise agreement.Teesside Airport station is also part of the Northern Rail network and, like Denton, is operated as part of the company's franchise agreement.
A 15-minute walk from the airport - now known as Durham Tees Valley airport - the station receives just two trains a week which call on Sundays. The station - a 15-minute walk from the airport, now known as Durham Tees Valley airport - has only two trains a week, which call on Sundays.
Northern Rail said Teesside Airport station was not convenient for those using the airport and there were plans to relocate it. Northern Rail said the station was not convenient for those using the airport and there were plans to relocate it.
A Department for Transport spokesman added: "Local train services play an important role in linking communities and connecting people with their places of work and leisure."A Department for Transport spokesman added: "Local train services play an important role in linking communities and connecting people with their places of work and leisure."