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Spotted UK

Local News Reports

Woodland walk near railway platform reclaimed by nature

BySpotted UK

Jan 14, 2024

At the end of a pleasant woodland walk lies the long-forgotten remains of a little-used train station.

The former Otterspool station can still be found on its original site between St Michaels and Aigburth. Now a private home, the old platform has not seen use in more than 70 years, and has been reclaimed by a sea of vegetation.

The station opened on the completion of the Garston and Liverpool Railway in 1864, and was absorbed into the Cheshire Lines Committee in 1865. Its main facilities were located on the east platform, with a footbridge from the ticket office connecting to the opposite side.

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But the station was seldom used by passengers due to its location and fairly close proximity to other stations on the line. Many people preferred to catch the train at Mersey Road and Aigburth rather than trek the long, empty path to the station alongside Otterspool Park from Jericho Lane. As a result, it was one of the first stations to be closed in 1951.

Otterspool Railway Station Tweet

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The disused platform was slowly reclaimed by nature over the years, and can still be found at the end of the woodland footpath by Otterspool Park. Twitter user @YOLiverpool documented his walk down the peaceful lane leading to the old station, which is now a private dwelling, located close to the derelict station cottage.

Sharing memories of the area, Robin LJ said: "There used to be a footpath alongside the railway track back to Jericho Lane in the 1950s. Came out at the bridge."

Paula Davies said: "At the back of Otterspool Park – used to walk through regularly with the dog – have never seen the station building though."

Hamed Kashkush said: "Love that jungle. I called it the Scouser Jurassic park."

Entering a privately owned property/site is considered trespassing which is a civil matter in the UK.

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