How a community group are trying to breathe life back into the UK’s most unused station

Walking down lonely steps to the platform, there’s everything you’d expect of a small Victorian-era station. Except a train turning up any time soon.

There are no cancellations. This is Denton station – the least used station in the country. There were just 54 entries and exits between April 2023 and March 2024.

Denton station

The fact Denton came top of the Office of Road and Rail’s list for least used stations is hardly a shock given it only sees two trains coming through every Saturday – one to Stalybridge, the other to Stockport.

Just down the line, Reddish South came third in the least used list. It has the same ‘ghost train’ service – a minimum service simply to keep the line open.

The line is strategically important to the wider rail network, providing options for freight trains as well as an alternative route in case of a blockage between Stockport and Manchester.

The line that runs through Denton features in Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) 2040 strategy for tram-trains, with a plan to connect Stockport to Oldham and then onto Victoria.

The local MP believes there are a number of options for bringing Denton back into proper use for passengers, including a circle line connecting Manchester’s two big stations, Oldham, Ashton Moss, Stockport, the airport and the smaller stations in between.

Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne

Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne said: “Denton station to most people in Denton is neither use nor ornament in its current configuration. But there are ambitious opportunities to link Denton and Reddish South to the wider convocation under the mayor’s plan for tram-trains.

“This could link Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria, Stalybridge and the airport in various diff proposals. I will work with the friends group and the mayor to make sure these transport opportunities come to fruition.”

Pauline Osborne told I Love MCR: “I’ve never used it, I never knew it was open.

“I’ve lived here 20 years but I didn’t realise it was actually open. If it only goes to two places it’s not much use.

“If it closed I wouldn’t be sad as I don’t really use it.”

Erick Fricker, 78, said: “I never knew it existed. I’ve always been around Tameside and I had an uncle who worked around the corner and we always frequented this area.

“When you think about the people here, they’ve got a good bus service and good access to the motorway. That won’t do what the bus will do going to multiple places.

“When you think about this being a central point. If it was of any use it would be in the centre.

“I wouldn’t even be able to envision where that station is.”

Geoffrey Chapman used to hop on the train every day to go to work in Stockport. Back in his day there were hourly services from Denton.

The 81-year-old said: “We moved here in 1970 and it was a small station and it was never very busy from memory to be honest. The unfortunate part about the station is it’s in the wrong position. If it were in the centre of Denton it would be better.

“I used to work in Stockport. I would like to see it stay but used more with more frequent services.

“It just needed to be in a better place. I hope it could bring in other services to go to places like Yorkshire.

“York or Hebden bridge as destinations would be nice.”

His wife Linda agrees that access to the station is poor, with people having to walk underneath the M67 and along the A57 to actually get to it. Despite the location of the station not quite being right in the Chapmans’ eyes, there is clearly still love for the stop, built in 1882.

The Friends of Denton Station

The Friends of Denton Station group had to fold earlier this year due to relocation of most of the committee – but its fight to keep the station looking fresh and to bring back services goes on.

The Friends of Reddish South Station (FORSS) group has now taken on the task of fighting for both stops. They remain adamant there is a bright future for the stations that run on the only line that runs south from Manchester Victoria.

A spokesperson for FORSS said: “We want a new service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria, via Reddish South & Denton Stations. Apart from the obvious benefits to the local residents, a service would relieve congestion at Piccadilly, give Stockport passengers a different destination to Victoria, plus the ability to go to destinations north of Manchester that depart from Victoria.

“Going to Piccadilly then travelling across to the shops, venues, nightlife or Manchester Victoria itself can be time consuming and fractious.

“We cannot understand why, when the line is there and the infrastructure is in place for an (almost) hourly service it has not been tried, and with relatively little investment could be a half-hourly service, diverting some services, say from Chester, Buxton, Hazel Grove, and passengers would still have the option to disembark at Stockport if they wished to go to Piccadilly, or carry on to Manchester Victoria.

“The location of Denton Station is a minor problem; you can walk past and not notice it. But better signage could solve that.

“Park and ride is a possibility with support from Sainsbury’s, Denton, and there has been talk in the past of even relocating the station for easier access. Disabled access is not a problem at Reddish South and parking (if required; the station is in the centre of Reddish) could be accessed at Morrison’s.”

You can find out more about The Friends of Denton Station by clicking here