Swanwick railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Swanwick
code = SNW


manager = South West Trains
locale = Park Gate
borough = Fareham
usage0405 = 0.376
usage0506 = 0.404
usage0607 = 0.426
platforms = 2
start = 2 September 1889

Swanwick railway station is a railway station serving the Park Gate, Locks Heath, Whiteley and Swanwick (pronounced Swan-ick) in Hampshire, England. Despite the name, the station actually in Park Gate and not Swanwick (which is one mile north of the station).

The station is located near a small industrial estate and the large residential areas of Locks Heath and Whiteley. It can become very busy during peak hours with commuters heading to Southampton, Portsmouth and beyond and children heading to school. During the daytime however, the station can be relatively quiet.

History

Local history of the area explains the exceptional length of the platforms on the station. At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the region around Swanwick was the primary source of strawberries for the whole of the UK.This meant that in the summer larger trains were required to remove the large volumes of fruit from the station, hence the long platforms.

After the Second World War the station's use became mainly for passenger services due to the expansion of the fruit importing from Spain and South America. The availability of large aircraft which had been used as bombers during the second world war, made the importing of higher quality strawberries more profitable.

The strawberry heritage can still be seen in local landmarks such as strawberry fields on Warsash shore and also the Swanwick basket factory, which made the famous Hampshire gallon punnets in which the strawberries were stored. A local pub is also called The Talisman after a variety of strawberry.

Services

The station is served by three services per hour Monday to Saturday and one per hour on Sunday.

Monday to Saturday services

Southampton Central to Portsmouth & Southsea service operated by South West Trains calling at all stations on the route (usually operated by a Class 450 Desiro units)

Southampton Central to Brighton service operated by Southern (operated by Class 377 units)

Southampton Central to London Victoria service operated by Southern via Gatwick Airport (operated by Class 377 units)
In addition, the station is also served by one First Great Western service to Cardiff Central in the morning peak (operated by Class 158 Express Sprinter units).

Sunday service

Southampton Central to Portsmouth & Southsea service operated by South West Trains (calls all stations on the route)

Facilities

The station is by far the busiest between Fareham and Southampton and enjoys more facilities than most on the line. The ticket office is open between 6am and 7pm weekdays (shorter hours at the weekend). Toilet facilities and a waiting room are within the ticket office area (not available when the ticket office is closed).

The station is fully covered by CCTV, as is the large cycle shed and car park adjacent the station. There are customer help points and covered areas on both platforms. Disabled customers cannot gain access to the Fareham-bound platform.

Outside the station in the forecourt there is a taxi rank and a refreshment caravan providing food and drink throughout the day. The Park Gate Tandoori restaurant is located in the former station master's house which forms part of the station building.

Gallery

External links