Great Bridge South was opened by the GWR in 1866 and, apart from closure during the Great
War, remained in use until 1964. Interestingly, this station and its LNWR couterpart which was virtually 'over
the road' were both known as Great Bridge station until 1950.
Now, from the outset I have to say that the locations of both the Great Bridge stations are a little hard
to pin down these days as the area has been heavily redeveloped and roads realigned - including the construction
of the A41. That being said, I am 99% certain that I located the correct spot although to look at the photos of the
current site it is hard to make comparisons with the above image (photo: John Edgington) from 1957. The station was at a raised
level and crossed New Road via a bridge - however, none of this remains today. |
Above-left is the now cleared site of Great Bridge South station as viewed from New Road - the site is at the
corner of New Road and Horseley Heath and, as can be seen, has been levelled and the Horseley Heath side now
hosts a car showroom and some industrial units. The New Road side is still bordered by an old railway wall however. Above-right
we are looking at the corner of New Road and Horseley Heath: the top of the bushes in the centre of the shot is the level
of the old station site and if you go there you can just make out some blue-brick walling at the top of the
embankment behind the car showroom which is just out of shot around the corner on Horseley Heath. |
