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Written by Mark Bearton - 03 Jan 2005
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Location notes
Kirkham and Wesham is on the Preston to Blackpool line at the point where the lines to Blackpool North and South divide. There also used to be a third, more direct, line to Blackpool Central, and it is on the track bed of this where until the 1980s used Ballast was deposited.
The footbridge here spans both the formation of this line at the western end of the disused sidings, and the still operational route to Blackpool North.
Railway type and traffic
The line to Blackpool North has regular services, usually comprising each hour:
1 to Manchester Airport (usually class 175),
1 to Buxton (Class 150/156),
1 to Liverpool (Class 142/150/156) and
1 to York (Class 156/158).
The daily 'club' train working using class 31s now seems to have finished from the start of the 'Northern' franchise.
Environment
The footbridge is in the middle of farmland and whilst on a public footpath I have never yet seen anyone else use it.
Road directions
From the M55, Junction 3:
Head south along the A585 towards Kirkham. Just after the B5192 diverges to the left towards Wesham, take next road on the right towards Weeton. From Preston, take the A583 towards Kirkham, and turn right at a roundabout onto the A585. After crossing the railway, turn first left onto the road to Weeton.

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Kirkham Tip map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small area to park on the left just over the brow of a hill about half a mile along the road. The place is fairly exposed and would certainly not recommend leaving a car there overnight, but should be fine during the day.
The farm gate by the parking area leads to a public footpath leading down the hill across the field (you can see the footbridge in the distance to the right). At the bottom of the first field, the footpath heads across the field diagonally to the right (not obvious), head for the bushes in the far south-western corner. There is a small stream in the bushes and a small footbridge crossing it. After this, there is another field and keep in the same general direction, the footpath becomes separated from the field by a fence some way east of the footbridge. This can be quite overgrown in summer.
Public transport
Kirkham and Wesham station would be about a 30 minute walk from the Parking area, with a further 10 minutes across the fields. Turn right out the station, and where the road bends to the right, take the left hand fork. Cross the main road almost straight over onto the road to Weeton.

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Amenities
There are no amenities near the location, Kirkham being the nearest town.
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.
Kirkham Tip

Googly map
Streetmap links
Kirkham Tip general view map
Kirkham Tip close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kirkham Tip



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Photographic notes
The light is good here most of the day, the sun being side on just after dinner to early afternoon. The morning would be best for trains from Blackpool, the afternoon for trains towards Blackpool North.


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


Fig 1 - Looking east


Fig 2 - Looking west


Fig 2 - Looking west


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