NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS was the most used train station in St Helens borough over the past year, figures show.

As people returned to more normal travelling routines following disruption caused by the pandemic, around 2.4 million journeys are estimated to have been made from St Helens' stations in 2021-22.

This is up from 768,418 the previous year, but below pre-pandemic levels of 3.5 million in 2019-20.

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St Helens Star: Newton-le-Willows revamped station was unveiled in 2019Newton-le-Willows revamped station was unveiled in 2019 (Image: St Helens Council)

Collecting data from the number of entries and exits at train stations, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) reported that that Newton-le-Willows was the most used station in St Helens over the past year.

With easy transport links to both Liverpool and Manchester, the Mill Lane station's £19m transformation project was unveiled in 2019.

This saw huge upgrades to the station's subway, stairs, lifts, ticket office, and waiting facilities, as well as a new 400-space car park and bus interchange.

ORR figures show that St Helens Central was the second most used train station, with 513,828 entries and exits recorded in 2021-22.

Rainford was recorded as the least used station, with only 22,122 journeys recorded.

St Helens Star: St Helens Central was the second most used station in 2021-22St Helens Central was the second most used station in 2021-22 (Image: St Helens Star)

St Helens borough's most and least used train stations

  1. Newton-le-Willows - 791,246 journeys
  2. St Helens Central - 513,828 journeys
  3. Lea Green - 338,102 journeys
  4. Earlestown - 231,330 journeys
  5. Prescot - 210,072 journeys
  6. Whiston - 164,922 journeys
  7. Rainhill - 147,114 journeys
  8. St Helens Junction - 124,422 journeys
  9. Garswood - 120,412 journeys
  10. Thatto Heath - 98,782 journeys
  11. Eccleston Park - 58,104 journeys
  12. Rainford - 22,122 journeys

St Helens Star: Rainford was recorded as having the fewest journeys in the boroughRainford was recorded as having the fewest journeys in the borough (Image: Google Images)

Across the UK, an estimated 1.8 billion visitors entered and exited train stations in Great Britain last year – more than double the 690 million visitors the year before.

However, this number is still well below the 3 billion passengers who used stations in 2019-20, before the pandemic.

ORR director of planning and performance Feras Alshaker said: "It is heartening to see passengers return to travelling by rail following what was a difficult period for the industry during the pandemic.

"There’s still some way to go in order for station usage figures to return to pre-pandemic levels.

"Once again it is important to thank all those in the rail industry, who continue to work hard to help people travel safely and with confidence."

The Department for Transport said it has provided more than £16 billion of funding for passenger services since the start of the pandemic.

A spokesperson added: "We now need to reform our railways to reflect changes in travel trends and restore financial stability on our railways."