Leigh-on-Sea railway station

Leigh-on-Sea railway station is on the London, Tilbury and Southend line, serving the town of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. It is 32 miles 43 chains (52.4 km) down the main line from London Fenchurch Street via Basildon and it is situated between Benfleet to the west and Chalkwell to the east. Its three-letter station code is LES.

For other stations called Leigh, see Leigh railway station (disambiguation).

Leigh-on-Sea
National Rail
General information
LocationLeigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea
England
Grid referenceTQ831857
Managed byc2c
Platforms3
Other information
Station codeLES
ClassificationDfT category C2
Key dates
1 July 1855 (1855-07-01)Opened as Leigh
1 October 1904Renamed Leigh-on-Sea
1 January 1934Re-sited
Passengers
2017/18Decrease 2.232 million
2018/19Increase 2.356 million
2019/20Decrease 2.315 million
2020/21Decrease 0.480 million
2021/22Increase 1.248 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road
The original station building, now used by Leigh Sailing Club

It was originally opened as Leigh by the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway on 1 July 1855, being renamed Leigh-on-Sea on 1 October 1904, but was rebuilt by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway on a new site, 880 yards (805 m) to the west, opening on 1 January 1934.[1] The station and all trains serving it are currently operated by c2c.

History

The original station was built in Leigh Old Town and opened in 1855, but a larger three-platform station some distance to the west was opened on 1 January 1934 to replace the first structure.[2] The original building was then used by a local Sea Scout troop until the northern platform buildings were demolished to allow the widening of the adjacent road. The other platform and station building still exist and are currently used by Leigh Sailing Club.[3]

When the London Underground's District line operated a seasonal non-stop excursion service between 1910 and 1939 through to the Southend area, Leigh-on-Sea was the first stop after Upminster.[4]

There were formerly sidings on the 'up' London-bound side to the south-west of the station.[5] There was a fatal accident at these sidings on 15 December 1935.[6] The sidings had been partly decommissioned by 1969.[5]

Services

The typical off-peak service frequency is:

During peak hours there are additional trains to and from Fenchurch Street, some of which terminate at Leigh-on-Sea.

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Benfleet   c2c
London, Tilbury and Southend line		   Chalkwell
Historical services
Preceding station London Underground Following station
Upminster
towards Wimbledon, Richmond or Ealing Broadway
 District line Southend Central
towards Shoeburyness

References
  1. Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 141. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  2. Cooke, B.W.C., ed. (December 1956). "Leigh-on-Sea Station". The Why and the Wherefore. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 102, no. 668. Westminster: Tothill Press. p. 867.
  3. History of 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. CULG – District Line
  5. Route training manual: London, Tilbury & Southend Lines, British Rail Eastern Region (November 1969). Published by Great Eastern Railways Society (2003)
  6. "Fatal accident Leigh-on-Sea 15 December 1935".

51.541°N 0.640°E / 51.541; 0.640

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