Montpelier railway station

Montpelier
National Rail
General information
LocationMontpelier, Bristol
England
Coordinates51°28′06″N 2°35′19″W / 51.4684°N 2.5887°W / 51.4684; -2.5887
Grid referenceST592745
Managed byGreat Western Railway
Platforms1
Other information
Station codeMTP
ClassificationDfT category F2
History
Original companyClifton Extension Railway
Post-groupingGreat Western Railway and London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 October 1874Opened
18 November 1965Closed to goods traffic
17 July 1967Staffing withdrawn
1970Line singled
Passengers
2018/19Decrease 94,684
2019/20Increase 0.130 million
2020/21Decrease 42,438
2021/22Increase 91,758
2022/23Increase 0.170 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Montpelier railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Montpelier in Bristol, England. It is 2.85 miles (4.59 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is MTP. The station has a single platform, serving trains in both directions. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every 30 minutes in each direction.

The station was opened on 1 October 1874 as Montpellier (two 'L's) by the Great Western and Midland Railways as part of the Clifton Extension Railway, designed to connect the port of Avonmouth to the national rail network. In February 1888 the station's name changed to Montpelier (one 'L'). The station had two platforms, with the main structures on the southern platform and smaller waiting rooms on the northern platform. In 1903 the station employed 19 staff. Much of the main station building was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.

The Severn Beach Line declined over the latter half of the twentieth century, with passenger numbers falling significantly. Goods services at Montpelier ended in 1965, and all staff were withdrawn in 1967. The line was largely reduced to single track in 1970, with the northern platform abandoned and all trains using the remaining platform. The station building is no longer in railway use. Services had decreased to ten per day each direction by 2005, but have since increased to a train every 30 minutes in each direction.