Passenger numbers up at rail stations

Some of Britain's busiest rail stations are becoming even more crowded, figures showed today.

Based on entries and exits, Euston station in London had 13.3% more passengers in 2010/11 than in 2009/10, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said.

Another big London terminus, Paddington, had a 10.6% increase, while Liverpool Street station in the capital had a 8.1% rise.

The figures compared the 12 months from April 2010 to March 2011 with the 12 months from April 2009 to March 2010.

Waterloo station in London had the most entries and exits in 2010/11 - rising 6.2% to 91.75 million.

The next busiest station was Victoria in London, where numbers rose 4.8% to 73.57 million in the 12 months ending March 2011.

The next busiest stations - all in London - were Liverpool Street (55.77 million), London Bridge (51.48 million) and Charing Cross (37.22 million).

The busiest Scottish station in 2010/11 was Glasgow Central, which increased 4.8% to 24.95 million.

Cardiff Central - up 4.8% to 11.26 million - was the busiest station in Wales.

The busiest English regional station in 2010/11 was Birmingham New Street, where exits and entrances actually fell 2.3% to 24.68 million.

Edward Welsh, a spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "Rail travel is more popular now than at any time since the 1920s. Despite difficult financial times for a lot of people, train companies are attracting more and more passengers with better services and a range of value-for-money tickets.

"More people travelling by train is good news for the rail industry, the economy and the environment."

These were the busiest stations in the period April 2010 to March 2011, based on exits and entrances. The first eight stations in the list are all in London:

STATION PASSENGERS (millions)

1. Waterloo 91.75

2. Victoria 73.57

3. Liverpool Street 55.77

4. London Bridge 51.48

5. Charing Cross 37.22

6. Euston 34.07

7. Paddington 32.20

8. King's Cross 26.25

9. Glasgow Central 24.95

10. Birmingham New Street 24.69

PA