Cambridgeshire station was used only 12 times in 2015-16, figures show, while nearly 100m journeys were made through London Waterloo

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The quietest train station in Britain is used by the equivalent of just one passenger per month, latest figures show.

Shippea Hill station in Cambridgeshire had only 12 entries and exits during 2015-16, according to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Only one train – towards Norwich – serves the station on weekdays, but there is no return service. On Saturdays it is possible to take a day trip to the city from Shippea Hill, leaving at 7.25am and returning just over 12 hours later. There are no trains on Sundays.

The nearest significant community is the cathedral city of Ely, eight miles away by road.

London Waterloo recorded the most journeys (99.1m) in the 12 months to 31 March, the ORR said.

The 10 busiest stations in Britain are all in London, apart from Birmingham New Street, which is seventh.

Glasgow Central remains the busiest station in Scotland. Passengers used the hub 30m times in 2015-16, with Edinburgh Waverley in second place with 21.7m.

Cardiff Central is the busiest station in Wales with 12.7m journeys.

The ORR estimated that there were over 2.9bn entries and exits at all rail stations in Britain in 2015-16, an increase of 5% on the previous year. There were also 222m connections made.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said the figures demonstrated the need to “invest and plan long-term for increasing demand”.

The 10 quietest stations in the UK

1. Shippea Hill (Cambridgeshire) – 12 (entries or exits in 2015-16)

2. Reddish South (Greater Manchester) – 38

3. Pilning (Gloucestershire) – 46

4. Coombe Junction Halt (Cornwall) – 48

5. Barry Links (Angus) – 68

6. Denton (Greater Manchester) – 74

7. Stanlow & Thornton (Cheshire) – 88

8. Teesside Airport (County Durham) – 98

9. Chapelton (Devon) – 100

10. Clifton (Greater Manchester) – 116

The 10 busiest stations in the UK

1. London Waterloo – 99,148,388

2. London Victoria – 81,151,418

3. London Liverpool Street – 66,556,690

4. London Bridge – 53,850,938

5. London Euston – 41,677,870

6. Stratford – 41,113,260

7. Birmingham New Street – 39,077,018

8. London Paddington – 36,536,074

9. London King’s Cross – 33,361,696

10. Clapham Junction – 32,282,220