NORTH WOOLWICH LINE

 

 

Opened in 1846 between Stratford and Canning Town, the line was extended to North Woolwich the following year. Services were extended north to Palace Gates in 1887 although that line (northwards from Seven Sisters) was closed to passengers in 1963.
1979 saw most of the North Woolwich branch incorporated into the North London Line, pre-empting the closure of the Broad Street line (Broad Street station had hitherto provided the eastern terminus for the North London Line).

 

 

LEA BRIDGE

(1840 - 1985)

(2016 - present)


One of the stations on the North Woolwich and Stratford line, which later had its services extended to run up to Palace Gates in North London. The closure of the Palace Gates branch as far as Seven Sisters, meant a curtailment of services and this station never recovered, especially after services to North Woolwich were rerouted to form part of the new look North London Line.

A resumption of passenger services along the line in 2005 prompted a campaign to re-open this station, in view of it helping to rejuvenate the area. The replacement station was opened in 2016, albeit with access from a different location.

 

 

The site of the station building on Lea Bridge Road. The station building is hidden by the advertising hoardings.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

The dilapidated station building interior. This was not the elegant original but a charmless 1970s replacement built for function (staffless operation) rather than comfort or style.

The remains shown here have since been demolished.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

Looking north from the station building at the overgrown platforms.
The road on the right hand side of the track is recent and built on the site of industrial works.

(photo: 2006 )

 

 

 

View down to the eastbound platform. The stairs leading down to the other platform have been removed.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

Looking back up toward the station building.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

Northward view from the south/eastbound platform.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

Southward view from the south/eastbound platform.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

View from the new road that parallels the track for a distance. A signboard frame is still visible on the platform.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 

View southward from the northern end of the platforms.

(photo: 2006)

 

 

 


Lea Bridge platform sign, once on display at the late lamented North Woolwich railway museum.

 

 

 

Advertising the re-opened station.
The original station building was located here but the narrow pavement necesitated having to find an alternative location for access.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

Viewed from the eastern side. The overbridge and lifts are situated where the old station building(s) used to be.
The gap to the left of the station was for rail access to the goods yard. It is now just a cycle path.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

North view of the station access. The tracks are on the left. The road is a relatively new addition to the area; the land was previously for industrial use and for the goods lines feeding the warehouses.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

The 'facilities' at the station; the station does not have a ticket office. There are no passenger gates either, only touch in/out card readers.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

South view of the station platforms.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

View from the overbridge.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

The overbridge. It is situated where the old station building used to be but there are no longer any means of entering or exiting the station from there.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

 

 

South view. A rare example of a disused station being brought back into service.

(photo: Jul 2016)

 

For more photos of this station shortly before and after closure, see www.disused-stations.org.uk

 

 

Reference: London Railways by Edwin Course. B T Batsford Ltd, London, 1962.

 

 

North Woolwich Line: Stratford - Stratford Market