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Written by Mark Bearton - 17 Dec 2004
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Location notes
Woodvale is a residential suburb of Southport and is at the south end of the suburb of Ainsdale.
Railway type and traffic
The line has a 15 minute frequency worked by class 507/508 EMUs.
Environment
The area is quiet and both bridges are popular with dog-walkers and ramblers. To the south of the Coastal Road is the start of the Pine-Woods which stretch for several miles to Freshfield and Formby. There is a path running through these to Freshfield. The area to the west of the line is also characterised by Sand-Dunes. The Coast Road bridge used to carry the Cheshire Lines Railway's route into Southport along which most of the Coast Road is now formed.
Road directions
From Liverpool take the A565. After passing RAF Woodvale on the left, turn left at the next Traffic Lights onto the Coastal Road. Turn first right after about 1/2 mile into a residential road before the railway bridge. Park here to visit the Coastal Road bridge. Turn first left into Kendal Way and at the end turn left again into Easdale Drive. Shortly after this there is a small car-park on the left leading to a footbridge.

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Woodvale map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking is either on Kendal Way for the Coastal Road or in the Car Park for the footbridge.
Public transport
There is a 15 minute rail service from Liverpool City Center.
Arriva service 49A operates every 20 minutes from Southport and from Ainsdale station. After crossing Ainsdale station crossing, the bus then doubles back over Kenilworth Road bridge. Alight here for the footbridge (service 49 also serves this point) and walk down the banking on the south side of the bridge. Continue south along the road parallel with the railway until you reach the car park on the right. After crossing the bridge, the 49A turn right and at the end of this road turns left into Pinfold Lane. Alight here (there is a children’s playground on the corner). Head back westwards along Pinfold Lane until it meets the Coastal Road and turn right to reach the bridge.

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Amenities
There are no amenities in the immediate area, the nearest being in Ainsdale or the Spar shop at the east-end of Pinfold Lane.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Woodvale

Googly map
Streetmap links
Woodvale general view map
Woodvale close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Woodvale



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Photographic notes
Light is generally best for southbound trains. The Coastal Road bridge is not really suitable for northbound trains due to the road being very busy and there not being a footpath on that side of the bridge. The bridge parapet on the Coastal Road is also fairly high so not suitable for shorter photographers!


General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north

The costal road

Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north

Easdale Drive footbridge

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