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Coordinates: 52°02′06″N 0°46′23″W / 52.035°N 0.773°W / 52.035; -0.773
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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{short description|Principal railway station of Milton Keynes, England}}{{Redirect|Milton Keynes Central|the parliamentary constituency|Milton Keynes Central (UK Parliament constituency)|the bus station|Milton Keynes central bus station}}
{{Infobox UK station
{{Infobox station
| symbol = rail
| name = Milton Keynes Central
| name = Milton Keynes Central
| symbol_location = gb
| image_name = MiltonKeynesCentral-StationSquare.jpg
| symbol = rail
| caption = The frontage to Milton Keynes Central, known locally as Station Square. Also visible are the bus stops, with local and long distance buses visible.
| image = Milton Keynes Central Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 3953086.jpg
| owner = [[Network Rail]]
| caption = Station Square, showing the frontage to Milton Keynes Central.
| manager = [[London Midland]]
| locale = [[Milton Keynes]]
| address = 302 Elder Gate, <br />[[Milton Keynes]], MK9 1LA
| borough = [[Borough of Milton Keynes]]
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|52.035|-0.773|type:railwaystation_region:GB_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| latitude = 52.035
| grid_name = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|Grid reference]]
| longitude = -0.773
| grid_position = {{gbmapscaled|SP841380|25|SP841380}}
| start = 17 May 1982
| code = MKC
| owned = [[Network Rail]]
| manager = [[London Northwestern Railway]]
| dft_category = B
| line = [[West Coast Main Line]]
| platforms = 7 (numbered 1–2, 2A, 3–6)
| platforms = 7 (numbered 1–2, 2A, 3–6)
| usage0203 = {{increase}} 3.925
| accessible = Lifts to platforms, step up to trains
| usage0405 = {{decrease}} 3.815
| code = MKC
| usage0506 = {{increase}} 4.134
| classification = [[United Kingdom railway station categories|DfT category]] B
| usage0607 = {{increase}} 4.557
| usage0708 = {{increase}} 4.690
| original = [[British Rail]]
| usage0809 = {{decrease}} 4.646
| years = 17 May 1982
| events = Opened
| usage0910 = {{increase}} 4.917
| usage1011 = {{increase}} 5.517
| years1 = 29 December 2008
| events1 = Platforms 2A and 6 added
| usage1112 = {{increase}} 5.558
| mpassengers = <!-- {{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{increase}} 7.039 million |interchange={{pad|1em}} {{decrease}} 0.469 million}} -->
| usage1213 = {{increase}} 6.030
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 6.936 million |interchange={{pad|1em}} {{increase}} 0.470 million}}
| gridref = SP841380
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 1.207 million |interchange={{pad|1em}} {{decrease}} 68,926}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 4.239 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.227 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 4.510 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 0.190 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 5.559 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.219 million}}
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 13
}}
}}
'''Milton Keynes Central railway station''' serves [[Central Milton Keynes]] and the surrounding area of [[Milton Keynes]], [[Buckinghamshire#Ceremonial county|Buckinghamshire]], England. The station is located on the [[West Coast Main Line]] between the stations of [[Bletchley railway station|Bletchley]] and [[Wolverton railway station|Wolverton]], both of which are also within Milton Keynes. The station is served by [[Virgin Trains]] inter-city services and by [[London Midland]] local services. Also, Southern provide services to [[South Croydon railway station|South Croydon]] via West London.
Ticket Gates are in operation.


'''Milton Keynes Central railway station''' serves [[Milton Keynes]] and surrounding parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire (England). The station is located on the [[West Coast Main Line]] about {{convert|50|mi|-1}} northwest of London. The station is served by [[Avanti West Coast]] intercity services, and by [[West Midlands Trains]] regional services.
This station is one of the five stations serving Milton Keynes. The others are {{rws|Wolverton}} (north Milton Keynes), {{rws|Bletchley}} (south Milton Keynes), {{rws|Fenny Stratford}} (also south Milton Keynes) and {{rws|Bow Brickhill}} (south-east Milton Keynes). In addition, [[Woburn Sands railway station]] is just outside the Milton Keynes boundary and serves the south-east of the [[Borough of Milton Keynes|Borough]]. Milton Keynes Central, which opened on 17 May 1982,<ref>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=160 |ref=harv }}</ref> is by far the busiest and most important of these, as well as being the largest in terms of platforms in use, having overtaken Bletchley when platforms 2A and 6 became operational.

This is the principal station for [[City of Milton Keynes|the city]], one of seven serving the [[Milton Keynes urban area]].{{efn|The others are {{rws|Wolverton}} (north-west Milton Keynes), {{rws|Bletchley}} (south-west Milton Keynes), {{rws|Fenny Stratford}} (also south-west Milton Keynes), {{rws|Bow Brickhill}} (south-east Milton Keynes), {{rws|Woburn Sands}} and {{rws|Aspley Guise}} (both in the far south-east of the built-up area)}} Milton Keynes Central, which opened on 17 May 1982,<ref>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=160 }}</ref> is by far the busiest and most important of these, as well as being the largest in terms of platforms in use, having overtaken {{rws|Bletchley}} when platforms 2A and 6 became operational.


==History and development==
==History and development==
[[File:Milton Keynes Central railway station.JPG|thumb|right|The station lobby, with the huge [[National Rail]] logo above the entrance]]
[[File:MKcentral.JPG|thumb|Southbound view with bay platform 2A]]
[[File:Milton Keynes Central train station from platform 1, spring 2013 (1).JPG|thumb|The main building of the station from platform 1]]
===A new station for Milton Keynes===

{{more|Central Milton Keynes}}
A new station to delimit the western end of the new [[central business district]] of Milton Keynes was a key objective for [[Milton Keynes Development Corporation]] (MKDC).<ref name=Bendixson>{{cite book |last1=Bendixson |first1=Terence | last2=Platt |first2=John | title=Milton Keynes: Image and reality | publisher = Granta Editions | year=1992 |location=Cambridge |isbn=0906782724 }}, page 133{{ndash}}136</ref><!-- Bendixson reports the Board of MKDC as believing that it would be the first new station on the West Coast Main Line since "the turn of the century". Apsley station was built in 1938, so the belief was incorrect. --> In the cash-strapped circumstances of the 1960s and 1970s, [[British Rail]] (BR) was unenthusiastic but eventually came round after a deal was done in 1978 on cost sharing.<ref name=Bendixson /><ref>{{cite magazine |title= No station for Milton Keynes |magazine=[[Railway Gazette International]] |issue= February 1969| page=121}}</ref> In 1979, MKDC architect Stuart Mosscrop designed the station building and office blocks to either side,<ref name=Bendixson /> framing a new Station Square and the vista uphill along Midsummer Boulevard (and the midsummer sunrise).<ref>{{cite book |title='The story of ''the original'' CMK' ... told by the people who shaped the original Central Milton Keynes (interviews) |last=Kitchen |first=Roger |editor=Hill, Marion |year=2007 |publisher=Living Archive |location=Milton Keynes |isbn=978-0-904847-34-5 |page=103 |url=http://www.livingarchive.org.uk/ |access-date= 4 December 2019}}</ref>{{efn|When seen uphill along Midsummer Boulevard from Midsummer Roundabout near the station.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.suncalc.org/#/52.036,-0.7703,16/2020.06.20/05:20/1/3 | title= Computation path of the sun for: MK9 1AZ, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, 20 June 2020, 05:20 UTC+1 | website= suncalc.org | access-date= 2 December 2019}} [[Altitude]] 3.19°</ref> For more details, see [[Central Milton Keynes#Astronomical alignment]]. }}

===Opening===
===Opening===
The station was opened in 1982 to serve the [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] of [[Milton Keynes]]. Before it opened, [[Bletchley railway station|Bletchley]] was the nearest station served by British Rail [[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity]] services.
The station opened on 14 May 1982, with an official opening by [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Charles, then-Prince of Wales]] <!-- Please do not change this to "King" as he was Prince at the time --> conducted three days later.<ref name=Bendixson /><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Milton Keynes Central Opened|magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]]|date=June 1982|volume=128|issue=974|page=258|issn=0033-8923}}</ref> The adjacent office wings were completed three years later.<ref name=Bendixson /> Before Milton Keynes Central opened, [[Bletchley railway station|Bletchley]] was the main station for Milton Keynes, served by [[InterCity (British Rail)|British Rail InterCity]] services. These services moved to the new station, downgrading Bletchley.


===2006–08 developments===
===2006–08 developments===
In May 2006, the Department of Transport announced a plan to upgrade the station.<ref name=wcml-pr>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/wcml/westcoastmainlineprogressrep3458 West Coast Main Line: Progress Report – May 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206193818/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/wcml/westcoastmainlineprogressrep3458 |date=6 February 2007 }} </ref> The first phase added a down fast line platform 6, so that the existing platform 5 could be used for stopping express trains in either direction.<ref name=wcml-pr /> The second phase provided an additional terminating bay platform (2A), nominally to extend the [[Marston Vale Line]] ({{rws|Bedford}}{{snd}}{{rws|Bletchley}}) service via the [[West Coast Main Line]] (WCML) to Milton Keynes Central.<ref name=rtm-121213>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/oxford-cambridge-varsity-line-reopening-proposals-gather-steam | title= Oxford-Cambridge Varsity Line reopening proposals gather steam | date= 12 December 2013 | access-date= 30 July 2020| magazine = Rail Technology Magazine }}</ref> This 5-car [[bay platform]] is indented into platform 1. The original bay platform 1 line was extended northwards to become a [[Side platform|through platform]] (becoming the up slow line), and platform 2 line is now a terminating and reversing line, avoiding conflicting crossing movements.<ref name=wcml-pr /> This work was completed on 29 December 2008.<ref name=RAIB10>{{cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c900640f0b60241000187/SI12010_101223_Milton_Keynes.pdf |title = Special Investigation: RAIB review of the railway industry's investigation of an irregular signal sequence at Milton Keynes, 29 December 2008 | author = Rail Accident Investigation Branch | date =2010 | access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> {{As of|August 2023}}, a direct service between Bedford and Milton Keynes Central is not in any published plan, being overtaken by later events (see {{slink||East West Rail}}, below).
[[File:Milton Keynes Central railway station.JPG|thumb|left|The station lobby, with the huge [[National Rail]] logo above the entrance]]
[[File:MKcentral.JPG|thumb|right|Looking south from Milton Keynes Central, showing the bay platform 2A and the track on the left, which leads into platform 1 under the bridge. The bridge in the middle distance carries [[H6 Childs Way]].]]
In May 2006, the Department of Transport announced a plan to upgrade the station.<ref>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/wcml/westcoastmainlineprogressrep3458 West Coast Main Line: Progress Report – May 2006]</ref> The first phase added a down fast line platform 6, so that the existing platform 5 could be used for stopping express trains in either direction. The second phase provided an additional terminating bay platform (2A), nominally to extend the [[Marston Vale Line]] {{rws|Bedford}}/{{rws|Bletchley}} service via the [[West Coast Main Line|WCML]] to Milton Keynes Central. This 5-car bay platform is indented into platform 1. The original platform 1 line was extended northwards from 'bay' to 'through' (becoming the up slow line), and platform 2 line is now a 'centre' terminating and reversing line, avoiding conflicting crossing movements. This work was completed on 29 December 2008. {{As of|2014}}, a direct service between Bedford and Milton Keynes is not in any published plan, being overtaken by later events (see next).

===Future===
{{Main|East West Rail Link}}
The Department for Transport has approved (November 2011) reopening of the western section of the former [[Varsity Line]] from {{rws|Oxford}}, with services via Bletchley and the WCML to Milton Keynes Central. This will provide direct services between Milton Keynes and Reading via Oxford, and between Milton Keynes and London Marylebone via Aylesbury/High Wycombe.<ref>[http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/reports/documents/GRIPStage2Report.pdf East-West Rail Consortium: Western Section: Final Report] 5.1 p38</ref>


== Platforms and layout ==
== Platforms and layout ==
[[File:MKcentralplatforms.JPG|thumb|left|The main body of Milton Keynes Central, showing the triple island platform layout and the footbridge. The large station building provides the backdrop. Platform 6 is closest to the camera.]]
[[File:MKcentralplatforms.JPG|thumb|right|North-west facing view with platform 6 in the foreground]]


Milton Keynes Central has a total of seven platforms. Platforms 1 and 3 are the south and northbound slow platforms, while 4 and 6 are the south and northbound fast platforms. Platforms 2 and 5 are reversible, being slow and fast respectively. Platform 2 is frequently used by terminating services from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and [[East Croydon station|East Croydon]], whilst platform 5 is used mainly by the London Midland service to Crewe. Platform 2A is a five-car south-facing bay platform built for the extension of [[Marston Vale Line]] services into Milton Keynes Central. The platform will also be used for Varsity Line services to Oxford and Aylesbury from 2017 (see 'Future Services' below). To the north of the station the six lines reduce to four (two slow and two fast), whilst there is a mile of five-track running to the south before this also reduces back to four.
Milton Keynes Central has a total of seven platforms. Platforms 1 and 3 are the south and northbound slow platforms,<ref name=RAIB10 /> while 4 and 6 are the south and northbound fast platforms.<ref name=RAIB10 /> Platforms 2 and 5 are reversible, being slow and fast respectively.<ref name=RAIB10 /> Platform 2 is used mainly by terminating stopping services from [[Euston railway station|London Euston]], whilst platforms 1 and 3 are used by West Midlands Trains services between Euston and Northampton, Birmingham New Street or Crewe.<ref name=RAIB10 /> Platforms 4, 5 and 6 are used by [[Avanti West Coast]] inter-city express services between London and the West Midlands, north Wales, the north-west or Scotland.<ref name=RAIB10 />

Platform 2A is a five-car south-facing bay platform,<ref name=RAIB10 /> originally intended for the extension of [[Marston Vale Line]] services from {{rws|Bedford}} into Milton Keynes Central:<ref name=rtm-121213 /> this proposal no longer appears in plans for [[East West Rail]], being replaced by a planned service to/from {{rws|Oxford}} (see [[#Future services|below]]). Meanwhile, platform 2A is used only by exception when additional platform capacity is needed, such as when there is a service delay. To the north of the station the six lines reduce to four (two slow and two fast) and there is a mile of five-track running to the south before this also reduces back to four.<ref name=RAIB10 />

The station is generally accessible: there are no unavoidable steps and there are lifts from the concourse to each platform.<ref name="Stations: MKC">{{cite web |url= https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/MKC/details.html | title = Milton Keynes Central (MKC): Accessibility and mobility access |website=nationalrail.co.uk |access-date= 31 July 2020}}</ref> As with all mainline railway stations, passengers with mobility limitations may need to pre-book assistance to get from the platform to the train.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/disabled_passengers.aspx |title = Information for disabled passengers | publisher= National Rail |access-date= 31 July 2020}}</ref> Ticket gates are in operation.


== Local facilities and interchange ==
== Local facilities and interchange ==
{{main|Central Milton Keynes}}
[[File:Milton Keynes Central train station from platform 1, spring 2013 (1).JPG|thumb|The main building of station photographed from platform 1]]
The station building has a shop and café. There are other shops and restaurants on the south side of the station square. There are a number of hotels on Midsummer Boulevard (which begins opposite the station and leads up into [[Central Milton Keynes]]). Taxi and minicab services operate to left and right of the main entrance.
The station building has a shop and café. There are other shops and restaurants on the south side of the station square. There are a number of hotels on Midsummer Boulevard (which begins opposite the station and leads up into [[Central Milton Keynes|the central business district]]).


The station is the terminus or key intermediate destination for many bus services; almost all intra-city buses stop there. These services are operated mostly by [[Arriva]] as well as some routes by [[Stagecoach]] and a number of independent operators. Numerous bus services each hour traverse Midsummer Boulevard, connecting the station to [[Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre]] and [[Milton Keynes Theatre]] (for theatre district and [[Xscape (building)#Milton Keynes Xscape|Xscape]]). There is a public toilet in this area.
The station forecourt is the terminus or key intermediate destination for many bus services; almost all [[bus services in Milton Keynes|local and district bus services]] stop there.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/posters/MKC.pdf | title= Milton Keynes Central Station: Onward Travel Information | author1 = Network Rail | author2= London Northwestern Railway |date=July 2018 | access-date= 31 July 2020}}</ref><ref name=spider>{{cite web |url= https://www.getsmartertravelmk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Spider-Map-2019_August.pdf | title= MK bus routes map | publisher = Milton Keynes Council | date = August 2019 | access-date = 31 July 2020}}</ref> These services are operated mostly by [[Arriva Shires & Essex]] as well as some routes by [[Stagecoach East]] and a number of independent operators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getsmartertravelmk.org/on-board/timetables-routes |title=Timetables and routes |publisher=Milton Keynes Council | date = November 2019 | access-date = 31 July 2020}}</ref> Numerous bus services each hour traverse Midsummer Boulevard, connecting the station to [[Central Milton Keynes shopping centre|the shopping centre]], [[Milton Keynes Theatre|the theatre]] and [[Xscape (building)#Milton Keynes Xscape|Xscape]].<ref name=spider />


[[Stagecoach]] operate four major long-distance routes from here. Their 99 coach route runs to [[Luton Airport]] via [[Luton railway station]], providing a direct link between the West Coast Main Line and the [[Midland Main Line]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VT99 Timetable|url=http://www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/transport/documents/VT99.pdf|publisher=Borough of Milton Keynes / Stagecoach|accessdate=7 October 2011}}</ref> Their X5 coach route between [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]] stops here and their X4 and X7 interurban bus routes to [[Northampton]], [[Leicester]] and [[Peterborough]] also call. [[Arriva the Shires and Essex]] also operate route 150 to [[Aylesbury]], via [[Leighton Buzzard]], which terminates at the station.<ref>http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/serviceInformation.aspx?id=21271</ref> For [[National Express Coaches|National Express coach]] services, see [[Milton Keynes Coachway]].
Stagecoach East operate four major long-distance bus routes from here. Their route MK1 express service runs to [[Luton Airport]] via [[Luton railway station]], providing a direct link between the West Coast Main Line and the [[Midland Main Line]].<ref>{{cite web|title=99 Bus Route & Timetable: Luton Airport - Milton Keynes |url=https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/east/99/luton-airport-milton-keynes/xeao099.i |publisher=Stagecoach |access-date=25 September 2017}}</ref> [[Stagecoach bus route X5|Route X5]] route between [[Oxford]] and [[Bedford]] stops here, as does their X6 service to [[Northampton]], with connections to [[Leicester]] and [[Peterborough]].<ref name=spider /> Arriva Shires & Essex also operate route X6 (formerly the X60) to [[Aylesbury]] via [[Buckingham]] and route X4 (formerly the 150) to [[Aylesbury]] via [[Leighton Buzzard]] via [[The Open University]], which terminates at the station.<ref name=spider /> ([[National Express Coaches|National Express]] services run from the [[Milton Keynes Coachway]], about {{convert|4.5|mi}} away, served from this station by the 3 or the X5.<ref name=spider />)


The [[Milton Keynes redway system]], a comprehensive network of cycle/pedestrian paths, connects to the station and its cycle parking facilities.
The [[Milton Keynes redway system]], a comprehensive network of cycle/pedestrian [[shared use path]]s, connects to the station and its cycle parking facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pedallingculture.com/2018/06/new-redway-map-pinpoints-pedallable-culture/ | title= New redway map pinpoints pedallable culture | author= Helen Thakrar | date= June 2018 | access-date=30 July 2020 | website = pedallingculture.com}}</ref>


Also in the station forecourt, there is a taxi rank (to the left on exit) and a pick-up space for [[Taxicabs of the United Kingdom#Private hire (minicabs)|private hire car]]s (to the right), plus limited (very) short term parking. There are multi-storey car-parks to the north and south of the station. Parking in the surrounding streets is heavily restricted to discourage commuter parking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/assets/attach/46624/CMK-Parking-Map-July-2017.pdf | title= Milton Keynes parking map |publisher=Milton Keynes Council | date = July 2017 | access-date = 31 July 2020}}</ref>
The station square itself is a favourite site for [[skateboarding]] and [[freestyle BMX]] and as a result the granite facings of the planting surrounds have suffered from the continuous bumping and grinding. This has lessened somewhat since the opening of a dedicated skateboarding park (Sk8 MK) close to the former central bus station (now the Buszy youth centre).<ref>[http://www.sk8m8.com/sk8m8-skatepark.php?siteid=Sk8MK%20Skate%20Plaza%20-%20Milton%20Keynes sk8m8 : Sk8MK Skate Plaza – Milton Keynes]</ref>

The station square itself is a favourite site for [[skateboarding]] and [[freestyle BMX]] and as a result the granite facings of the planting surrounds have suffered from the continuous bumping and grinding. This has lessened somewhat since the opening of a dedicated skateboarding park (Sk8 MK) close to the [[Milton Keynes central bus station|former central bus station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sk8m8.com/sk8m8-skatepark.php?siteid=Sk8MK%20Skate%20Plaza%20-%20Milton%20Keynes |title=sk8m8 : Sk8MK Skate Plaza – Milton Keynes |website=sk8m8.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/best-practice-dont-repel-the-borders/523615.article |title= Best practice don't repel the borders | date=19 April 2006 |access-date = 16 February 2019| work= Local Government Chronicle }}</ref>


==Services==
==Services==
[[File:Milton Keynes terminating service.JPG|thumb|right|A London Midland class 350 standing at platform 2 after having terminated with a service from London. This will form one of the two trains an hour which start from Milton Keynes Central when it returns to London.]]


===London Midland===
=== Current services ===
Milton Keynes Central is a principal stop on [[London Midland]]'s services from {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} to London and from {{rws|Crewe}} to {{rws|London Euston}}. All London-bound trains run to and from Euston, a few services run non-stop to Watford Junction then call at Euston, others have a more intermittent stopping pattern. A few peak services to and from Euston run non-stop.
Northbound, London Midland's services operate to and from {{rws|Northampton}}, {{rws|Rugby}}, {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, {{rws|Crewe}} and {{rws|Coventry}} . There are four departures per hour to London Euston on a weekday, and three departures per hour to the north.
[[File:Loughton Siding geograph-2173482-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Before Milton Keynes Central was built. The WCML near Loughton Siding signal box in 1957]]


==== London Northwestern Railway ====
===Virgin Trains===
Milton Keynes Central is a principal start and terminus for [[West Midland Trains#London Northwestern Railway|London Northwestern Railway]] (LNR) services to/from London Euston, and a major stop on others terminating/initiating at {{rws|Northampton}}, {{rws|Crewe}} or {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}. The typical off-peak service provided by London Northwestern Railway is:<ref>GB National Rail Timetable December 2022 – May 2023, Tables 66 & 67</ref>
[[Virgin Trains]] stop many of their inter-city services here, with three calls an hour in each direction off-peak on weekdays. Southbound services are to London Euston, northbound services are to Glasgow/Edinburgh via {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, to {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, and to {{rws|Chester}} (with some extending to [[Bangor (Gwynedd) railway station|Bangor]] and {{rws|Holyhead}} for ferry connections to [[Dún Laoghaire railway station|Dun Laoghaire]] or to [[Dublin Port]]). Additional services operate in the mornings and evenings to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}, {{rws|Preston}}/Glasgow Central via the Trent Valley line and to {{rws|Wolverhampton}}.
* 1 tph to {{rws|Crewe}} via {{rws|Rugby}} and {{rws|Stafford}}<ref name="CREEUS">{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/media/2453/download?inline|title=Timetable {{!}} Crewe to London via Nuneaton {{!}} 21 May to 9 December 2023|website=London Northwestern Railway|date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
* 2 tph to {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} via {{rws|Northampton}} and {{rws|Coventry}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/media/2449/download?inline|title=Timetable {{!}} London Euston-Milton Keynes Central-Northampton-Birmingham New Street {{!}} 21 May to 9 December 2023|website=London Northwestern Railway|date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
* 5 tph to {{rws|London Euston}}, of which 2 are stopping services, 2 call at {{rws|Bletchley}}, {{rws|Leighton Buzzard}} and {{rws|Watford Junction}} only, and 1 is non-stop to London.


===Southern Trains===
==== Avanti West Coast ====
Many [[Avanti West Coast]] inter-city services call here, with three calls an hour in each direction off-peak on weekdays:<ref>GB National Rail Timetable December 2022 – May 2023, Table 65</ref>
Since 2009 Milton Keynes has also been served by [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]], who provide an hourly service to {{rws|South Croydon}}, running via west London and connecting with services to {{rws|Brighton}}. Across the three operators, six trains per hour head north and nine south from the station.
* 3 tph to {{rws|London Euston}}, fast
* 1 tph to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}, calling at {{rws|Crewe}} and {{rws|Runcorn}}
* 1 tph to {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, calling at {{rws|Rugby}}, {{rws|Stoke-on-Trent}}, {{rws|Macclesfield}} and {{rws|Stockport}}
* 1 tph to {{rws|Preston}} via {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, extending alternately to {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}} or {{rws|Glasgow Central}}. 2 trains per day run to {{rws|Blackpool North}} instead of {{rws|Glasgow Central}}.


===Future services===
===Future services===
From 2019, services will operate over the [[East West Rail Link]] westwards via {{rws|Winslow}} to {{rws|Aylesbury}}, {{rws|High Wycombe}} and {{rws|London Marylebone}} and to {{rws|Bicester Town}}, {{rws|Oxford}} and {{rws|Reading}}.<ref>''RAIL'' Magazine, Issue 685, 14–28 December 2011, Pages 10–11</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=[[Bucks Herald]] |url=http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/business/business-news/updated-disappointment-as-east-west-rail-delayed-by-two-years-1-5970200 |title=Disappointment as East West Rail delayed by two years |date=31 March 2014 |accessdate=1 May 2014}}</ref>


====East West Rail====
{{rail start}}
{{Main|East West Rail}}
{{rail line|previous={{rws|Rugby}}|next={{rws|London Euston}}|route=[[London Midland]]<br /><small>London&nbsp;— Crewe</small> |col={{LM colour}} }}
From 2025, services are planned to operate (over a rebuilt [[Varsity line]]) to {{rws|Oxford}} via Bletchley, calling at {{rws|Winslow}} and {{rws|Bicester Village}}.<ref name=RTM141217>{{cite web |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/chancellor-accepts-east-west-rail-targets-and-strengthens-plans-with-extra-cash |title=Chancellor accepts East West Rail targets and strengthens plans with extra cash |date=22 November 2017 |website=www.railtechnologymagazine.com}}</ref><ref name=Grayling>{{cite press release |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/2017/12/14/transport-secretary-officially-launches-east-west-railway-company-bletchley-park/ |title=Transport Secretary officially launches East West Railway Company at Bletchley Park |publisher= East West Rail Co. |date=22 November 2017}}</ref> A desire to extend services to {{rws|Cambridge}} and beyond remains unfulfilled because it depends on building a new alignment eastwards between Bedford and Cambridge: a preferred route has been chosen but ({{as of|December 2021|lc=on}}) awaits approval.<ref name=EW20200130>{{cite press release |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/2020/01/30/a-landmark-moment-consortium-delight-as-central-section-route-is-announced/ |title='A landmark moment': Consortium delight as 'central section' route is announced | date = 30 January 2020 | publisher = East West Rail Co.| access-date = 30 January 2020}}</ref> In October 2019, the Department for Transport ruled out an early proposal to establish a service to {{rws|London Marylebone}} via [[Claydon Junction]], {{rws|Aylesbury}} and {{rws|High Wycombe}}.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/862577/Network-Rail-East-West-Rail-Bicester-Bedford-Improvements-Order-Inspectors-report.pdf |title=Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford improvements) order 201[ ]; application for deemed planning permission; applications for listed building consent |last= Whitehead |first=Martin |date=1 October 2019 |publisher=Department for Transport |publication-date=3 February 2020 |access-date=19 February 2020}} (Inspector's report) page 26</ref>
{{rail line|previous={{rws|Wolverton}}|next={{rws|Bletchley}}|route=[[London Midland]]<br /><small>[[West Coast Main Line]]</small> |col={{LM colour}} }}

{{rail line|previous={{rws|Coventry}} or<br /> {{rws|Rugby}}|next={{rws|London Euston}} or<br /> {{stnlink|Watford Junction}}|route=[[Virgin Trains]]<br /><small>[[West Coast Main Line|WCML West Midlands Route]]</small> |col={{VWC colour}} }}
===Former services===
{{rail line|previous={{rws|Stoke on Trent}} or {{rws|Crewe}}|next={{rws|London Euston}} or<br /> {{stnlink|Watford Junction}}|route=[[Virgin Trains]]<br /><small>[[West Coast Main Line|WCML Manchester Route]]</small> |col={{VWC colour}} }}
====Connex South Central====
{{rail line|previous={{rws|Crewe}}|next={{rws|London Euston}}|route=[[Virgin Trains]]<br /><small>[[West Coast Main Line|WCML North Wales Route]]</small> |col={{VWC colour}} }}
In June 1997, [[Connex South Central]] began operating services between [[Gatwick Airport railway station|Gatwick Airport]] and [[Rugby railway station|Rugby]] via the [[Brighton Main Line]] and [[West London Line]], calling at Milton Keynes Central.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= South Central to launch Rugby-Gatwick service |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue= 305| date= 21 May 1997| page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Connex Makes a Rugby Connection |magazine=[[Rail Express]] |issue= 15| date= August 1997| page=7}}</ref> It was cut back to terminate at Milton Keynes in December 2000 before being withdrawn in May 2002 due to capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line while the latter was being upgraded.
{{rail line|previous|next={{rws|Tring}}|route=[[Virgin Trains]]<br/><small>[[West Coast Main Line|London Euston-Milton Keynes Central]]</small>|col={{VWC colour}} }}

{{rail line |next={{rws|Bletchley}}|route=[[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]]<br /><small>Milton Keynes Central&nbsp;— South Croydon</small> |col={{Southern colour}} }}
==== Southern ====
{{Future Rail Insert}}
[[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] reintroduced the London orbital route service in February 2009, with [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377s]] initially operating to and from [[Brighton railway station|Brighton]] to Milton Keynes Central, before being curtailed at its southern end at [[South Croydon railway station|South Croydon]] and later [[Clapham Junction railway station|Clapham Junction]].<ref>[https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/new-timetable-means-more-services-to-and-from-euston New Timetable means more services to and from Euston] [[Network Rail]] 14 December 2008</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Southern extends to Milton Keynes |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |issue=1296 |date=April 2009| page=10}}</ref> In May 2022, Southern cut its service back to terminate at [[Watford Junction railway station|Watford Junction]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220528034813/https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/48.aspx Changes to National Rail Timetable] [[National Rail]] 15 May 2022</ref> where passengers may transfer to Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern services to stations north of Watford.
{{rail line|next={{rws|Bletchley}} |route=<small>[[East West Rail Link]]</small><br><small>Milton Keynes Central&nbsp;— Oxford and Reading</small> |col={{temporary rail colour}} }}

{{rail line|next={{rws|Bletchley}} |route=<small>[[East West Rail Link]], [[London to Aylesbury Line|London&nbsp;— Aylesbury]]</small><br><small>Milton Keynes Central&nbsp;— {{rws|London Marylebone}}</small> |col={{temporary rail colour}} }}
==Service summary==
{{s-end}}
<!-- EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: this section is a summary of the main services. Please do not add 'shoulder' or Sunday service patterns. Wikipedia is not a timetable.-->

{{adjacent stations|noclear=y
|system1=National Rail
|line1=London Northwestern Railway|type1=London - Crewe|left1=Rugby|right1=London Euston
|line2=London Northwestern Railway|type2=London - Birmingham|left2=Wolverton|right2=Bletchley
|line3=London Northwestern Railway|type3=London - Milton Keynes|right3=Bletchley
|note-row4={{s-rail-national|previous=Rugby|next=London Euston|rows2=2|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=[[West Coast Main Line|WCML]] Manchester–London}}
{{s-rail-national
|previous=Crewe
|hide2=yes
|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=[[West Coast Main Line|WCML]] Liverpool–London}}
{{s-rail-national
|previous=Rugby
|next=Watford Junction
|toc=Avanti West Coast|route=[[West Coast Main Line|WCML]] Glasgow/Edinburgh/Blackpool–Birmingham–London}}
{{s-note|text=Future services}}
{{rail line|next={{rws|Bletchley}} |route=<small>[[East West Rail]]</small><br/><small>Milton Keynes Central{{snd}} Oxford </small> |col={{temporary rail colour}} }}
{{s-note|text=Previous services}}
{{rail line
|next={{rws|Bletchley}} |route=[[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]]<br/><small>[[West London line|Milton Keynes Central{{snd}} South Croydon]]</small>
|col={{Southern colour}} }}
}}


==Location==
==Location==
{{Milton Keynes railway map}}
{{Location map|United Kingdom Milton Keynes|lat=52.035|long=-0.773|caption=Milton Keynes Central}}
The station is to the west of [[Central Milton Keynes]], near the junction of the [[A5 road|A5]] with the [[A509 road|A509]].
The station is at the western end of [[Central Milton Keynes]], near the junction of the [[A5 road|A5]] with the [[A509 road|A509]]. The station post-code is MK9 1LA.<ref name="Stations: MKC" /> In the [[chainage]] notation traditionally used on the railway, its location on the line is {{convert|49|mi|65|ch|mi km|2|lk=on}} from Euston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/elrs/_mileages/l/lec1.shtm |title=Engineer's Line References: London Euston to Crewe Line {{!}} London Euston to Rugby Trent Valley Junction |website= RailwayCodes.org |date=18 October 2019}} </ref>


== In film ==
== In film ==


The station and its plaza were used in the movie ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' as a substitute for the United Nations building. Other scenes were shot in the Central Milton Keynes area.
The station and its plaza were used in the 1987 movie ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' as a substitute for the United Nations building. Other scenes were shot in the Central Milton Keynes area.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/Superman-4-Quest-For-Peace.php | title = Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987) | website= movie-locations.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.british-film-locations.com/Superman-IV-1987 | title = Superman IV (1987) | website= british-film-locations.com}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Milton Keynes Central railway station}}
{{commons category|Milton Keynes Central railway station}}
{{stn art lnk|MKC|MK91AZ}}
{{stn art lnk|MKC|MK91AZ}}
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxKUhThzLBA Pendolino rounds Wolverton bend before coming to a stop at Milton Keynes Central]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxKUhThzLBA Pendolino rounds Wolverton bend before coming to a stop at Milton Keynes Central]


{{Railway stations in Buckinghamshire}}
{{Railway stations in Buckinghamshire}}
{{Transport in Milton Keynes}}
{{Transport in Milton Keynes}}
{{Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast}}
{{TSGN and SE Stations|West London=y|FCC None=y|SE None=y}}
{{Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains}}


[[Category:Railway stations in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Milton Keynes]]
[[Category:DfT Category B stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Milton Keynes]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened by British Rail]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened by British Rail]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1982]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1982]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Virgin Trains]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Avanti West Coast]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by London Midland]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by West Midlands Trains]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Southern]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Milton_Keynes]]
[[Category:East West Rail]]
[[Category:Stations on the West Coast Main Line]]

Latest revision as of 05:27, 23 December 2024

"Milton Keynes Central" redirects here. For the parliamentary constituency, see Milton Keynes Central (UK Parliament constituency). For the bus station, see Milton Keynes central bus station.
Milton Keynes Central
National Rail
Station Square, showing the frontage to Milton Keynes Central.
General information
Location302 Elder Gate,
Milton Keynes, MK9 1LA
England
Coordinates52°02′06″N 0°46′23″W / 52.035°N 0.773°W / 52.035; -0.773
Grid referenceSP841380
Owned byNetwork Rail
Managed byLondon Northwestern Railway
Line(s)West Coast Main Line
Platforms7 (numbered 1–2, 2A, 3–6)
Construction
AccessibleLifts to platforms, step up to trains
Other information
Station codeMKC
ClassificationDfT category B
History
Original companyBritish Rail
Key dates
17 May 1982Opened
29 December 2008Platforms 2A and 6 added
Passengers
2019/20Decrease 6.936 million
 Interchange  Increase 0.470 million
2020/21Decrease 1.207 million
 Interchange  Decrease 68,926
2021/22Increase 4.239 million
 Interchange Increase 0.227 million
2022/23Increase 4.510 million
 Interchange Decrease 0.190 million
2023/24Increase 5.559 million
 Interchange Increase 0.219 million
Location
Map
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Milton Keynes Central railway station serves Milton Keynes and surrounding parts of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire (England). The station is located on the West Coast Main Line about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of London. The station is served by Avanti West Coast intercity services, and by West Midlands Trains regional services.

This is the principal station for the city, one of seven serving the Milton Keynes urban area.[a] Milton Keynes Central, which opened on 17 May 1982,[1] is by far the busiest and most important of these, as well as being the largest in terms of platforms in use, having overtaken Bletchley when platforms 2A and 6 became operational.

History and development

[edit]
The station lobby, with the huge National Rail logo above the entrance
Southbound view with bay platform 2A
The main building of the station from platform 1

A new station for Milton Keynes

[edit]
Further information: Central Milton Keynes

A new station to delimit the western end of the new central business district of Milton Keynes was a key objective for Milton Keynes Development Corporation (MKDC).[2] In the cash-strapped circumstances of the 1960s and 1970s, British Rail (BR) was unenthusiastic but eventually came round after a deal was done in 1978 on cost sharing.[2][3] In 1979, MKDC architect Stuart Mosscrop designed the station building and office blocks to either side,[2] framing a new Station Square and the vista uphill along Midsummer Boulevard (and the midsummer sunrise).[4][b]

Opening

[edit]

The station opened on 14 May 1982, with an official opening by Charles, then-Prince of Wales conducted three days later.[2][6] The adjacent office wings were completed three years later.[2] Before Milton Keynes Central opened, Bletchley was the main station for Milton Keynes, served by British Rail InterCity services. These services moved to the new station, downgrading Bletchley.

2006–08 developments

[edit]

In May 2006, the Department of Transport announced a plan to upgrade the station.[7] The first phase added a down fast line platform 6, so that the existing platform 5 could be used for stopping express trains in either direction.[7] The second phase provided an additional terminating bay platform (2A), nominally to extend the Marston Vale Line (Bedford – Bletchley) service via the West Coast Main Line (WCML) to Milton Keynes Central.[8] This 5-car bay platform is indented into platform 1. The original bay platform 1 line was extended northwards to become a through platform (becoming the up slow line), and platform 2 line is now a terminating and reversing line, avoiding conflicting crossing movements.[7] This work was completed on 29 December 2008.[9] As of August 2023, a direct service between Bedford and Milton Keynes Central is not in any published plan, being overtaken by later events (see § East West Rail, below).

Platforms and layout

[edit]
North-west facing view with platform 6 in the foreground

Milton Keynes Central has a total of seven platforms. Platforms 1 and 3 are the south and northbound slow platforms,[9] while 4 and 6 are the south and northbound fast platforms.[9] Platforms 2 and 5 are reversible, being slow and fast respectively.[9] Platform 2 is used mainly by terminating stopping services from London Euston, whilst platforms 1 and 3 are used by West Midlands Trains services between Euston and Northampton, Birmingham New Street or Crewe.[9] Platforms 4, 5 and 6 are used by Avanti West Coast inter-city express services between London and the West Midlands, north Wales, the north-west or Scotland.[9]

Platform 2A is a five-car south-facing bay platform,[9] originally intended for the extension of Marston Vale Line services from Bedford into Milton Keynes Central:[8] this proposal no longer appears in plans for East West Rail, being replaced by a planned service to/from Oxford (see below). Meanwhile, platform 2A is used only by exception when additional platform capacity is needed, such as when there is a service delay. To the north of the station the six lines reduce to four (two slow and two fast) and there is a mile of five-track running to the south before this also reduces back to four.[9]

The station is generally accessible: there are no unavoidable steps and there are lifts from the concourse to each platform.[10] As with all mainline railway stations, passengers with mobility limitations may need to pre-book assistance to get from the platform to the train.[11] Ticket gates are in operation.

Local facilities and interchange

[edit]
Main article: Central Milton Keynes

The station building has a shop and café. There are other shops and restaurants on the south side of the station square. There are a number of hotels on Midsummer Boulevard (which begins opposite the station and leads up into the central business district).

The station forecourt is the terminus or key intermediate destination for many bus services; almost all local and district bus services stop there.[12][13] These services are operated mostly by Arriva Shires & Essex as well as some routes by Stagecoach East and a number of independent operators.[14] Numerous bus services each hour traverse Midsummer Boulevard, connecting the station to the shopping centre, the theatre and Xscape.[13]

Stagecoach East operate four major long-distance bus routes from here. Their route MK1 express service runs to Luton Airport via Luton railway station, providing a direct link between the West Coast Main Line and the Midland Main Line.[15] Route X5 route between Oxford and Bedford stops here, as does their X6 service to Northampton, with connections to Leicester and Peterborough.[13] Arriva Shires & Essex also operate route X6 (formerly the X60) to Aylesbury via Buckingham and route X4 (formerly the 150) to Aylesbury via Leighton Buzzard via The Open University, which terminates at the station.[13] (National Express services run from the Milton Keynes Coachway, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) away, served from this station by the 3 or the X5.[13])

The Milton Keynes redway system, a comprehensive network of cycle/pedestrian shared use paths, connects to the station and its cycle parking facilities.[16]

Also in the station forecourt, there is a taxi rank (to the left on exit) and a pick-up space for private hire cars (to the right), plus limited (very) short term parking. There are multi-storey car-parks to the north and south of the station. Parking in the surrounding streets is heavily restricted to discourage commuter parking.[17]

The station square itself is a favourite site for skateboarding and freestyle BMX and as a result the granite facings of the planting surrounds have suffered from the continuous bumping and grinding. This has lessened somewhat since the opening of a dedicated skateboarding park (Sk8 MK) close to the former central bus station.[18][19]

Services

[edit]

Current services

[edit]

London Northwestern Railway

[edit]

Milton Keynes Central is a principal start and terminus for London Northwestern Railway (LNR) services to/from London Euston, and a major stop on others terminating/initiating at Northampton, Crewe or Birmingham New Street. The typical off-peak service provided by London Northwestern Railway is:[20]

Avanti West Coast

[edit]

Many Avanti West Coast inter-city services call here, with three calls an hour in each direction off-peak on weekdays:[23]

Future services

[edit]

East West Rail

[edit]
Main article: East West Rail

From 2025, services are planned to operate (over a rebuilt Varsity line) to Oxford via Bletchley, calling at Winslow and Bicester Village.[24][25] A desire to extend services to Cambridge and beyond remains unfulfilled because it depends on building a new alignment eastwards between Bedford and Cambridge: a preferred route has been chosen but (as of December 2021) awaits approval.[26] In October 2019, the Department for Transport ruled out an early proposal to establish a service to London Marylebone via Claydon Junction, Aylesbury and High Wycombe.[27]

Former services

[edit]

Connex South Central

[edit]

In June 1997, Connex South Central began operating services between Gatwick Airport and Rugby via the Brighton Main Line and West London Line, calling at Milton Keynes Central.[28][29] It was cut back to terminate at Milton Keynes in December 2000 before being withdrawn in May 2002 due to capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line while the latter was being upgraded.

Southern

[edit]

Southern reintroduced the London orbital route service in February 2009, with Class 377s initially operating to and from Brighton to Milton Keynes Central, before being curtailed at its southern end at South Croydon and later Clapham Junction.[30][31] In May 2022, Southern cut its service back to terminate at Watford Junction,[32] where passengers may transfer to Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern services to stations north of Watford.

Service summary

[edit]
Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Rugby
towards Crewe
 London Northwestern Railway
London–Crewe
 London Euston
Terminus
Wolverton
towards Birmingham New Street
 London Northwestern Railway
London–Birmingham
 Bletchley
towards London Euston
Terminus London Northwestern Railway
London–Milton Keynes
Avanti West Coast
WCML Manchester–London
Avanti West Coast
WCML Liverpool–London
Avanti West Coast
WCML Glasgow/Edinburgh/Blackpool–Birmingham–London
  Future services  
Terminus   East West Rail
Milton Keynes Central – Oxford 		  Bletchley
  Previous services  
Terminus   Southern
Milton Keynes Central – South Croydon 		  Bletchley

Location

[edit]

The station is at the western end of Central Milton Keynes, near the junction of the A5 with the A509. The station post-code is MK9 1LA.[10] In the chainage notation traditionally used on the railway, its location on the line is 49 miles 65 chains (49.81 mi; 80.17 km) from Euston.[33]

In film

[edit]

The station and its plaza were used in the 1987 movie Superman IV: The Quest for Peace as a substitute for the United Nations building. Other scenes were shot in the Central Milton Keynes area.[34][35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 160. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bendixson, Terence; Platt, John (1992). Milton Keynes: Image and reality. Cambridge: Granta Editions. ISBN 0906782724., page 133–136
  3. ^ "No station for Milton Keynes". Railway Gazette International. No. February 1969. p. 121.
  4. ^ Kitchen, Roger (2007). Hill, Marion (ed.). 'The story of the original CMK' ... told by the people who shaped the original Central Milton Keynes (interviews). Milton Keynes: Living Archive. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-904847-34-5. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Computation path of the sun for: MK9 1AZ, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, 20 June 2020, 05:20 UTC+1". suncalc.org. Retrieved 2 December 2019. Altitude 3.19°
  6. ^ "Milton Keynes Central Opened". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 128, no. 974. June 1982. p. 258. ISSN 0033-8923.
  7. ^ a b c West Coast Main Line: Progress Report – May 2006 Archived 6 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ a b "Oxford-Cambridge Varsity Line reopening proposals gather steam". Rail Technology Magazine. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Rail Accident Investigation Branch (2010). Special Investigation: RAIB review of the railway industry's investigation of an irregular signal sequence at Milton Keynes, 29 December 2008 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Milton Keynes Central (MKC): Accessibility and mobility access". nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Information for disabled passengers". National Rail. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  12. ^ Network Rail; London Northwestern Railway (July 2018). "Milton Keynes Central Station: Onward Travel Information" (PDF). Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d e "MK bus routes map" (PDF). Milton Keynes Council. August 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Timetables and routes". Milton Keynes Council. November 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  15. ^ "99 Bus Route & Timetable: Luton Airport - Milton Keynes". Stagecoach. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  16. ^ Helen Thakrar (June 2018). "New redway map pinpoints pedallable culture". pedallingculture.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Milton Keynes parking map" (PDF). Milton Keynes Council. July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  18. ^ "sk8m8 : Sk8MK Skate Plaza – Milton Keynes". sk8m8.com.
  19. ^ "Best practice don't repel the borders". Local Government Chronicle. 19 April 2006. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  20. ^ GB National Rail Timetable December 2022 – May 2023, Tables 66 & 67
  21. ^ "Timetable | Crewe to London via Nuneaton | 21 May to 9 December 2023". London Northwestern Railway. 21 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Timetable | London Euston-Milton Keynes Central-Northampton-Birmingham New Street | 21 May to 9 December 2023". London Northwestern Railway. 21 May 2023.
  23. ^ GB National Rail Timetable December 2022 – May 2023, Table 65
  24. ^ "Chancellor accepts East West Rail targets and strengthens plans with extra cash". www.railtechnologymagazine.com. 22 November 2017.
  25. ^ "Transport Secretary officially launches East West Railway Company at Bletchley Park" (Press release). East West Rail Co. 22 November 2017.
  26. ^ "'A landmark moment': Consortium delight as 'central section' route is announced" (Press release). East West Rail Co. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  27. ^ Whitehead, Martin (1 October 2019). Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford improvements) order 201[ ]; application for deemed planning permission; applications for listed building consent (PDF) (Report). Department for Transport (published 3 February 2020). Retrieved 19 February 2020. (Inspector's report) page 26
  28. ^ "South Central to launch Rugby-Gatwick service". Rail Magazine. No. 305. 21 May 1997. p. 10.
  29. ^ "Connex Makes a Rugby Connection". Rail Express. No. 15. August 1997. p. 7.
  30. ^ New Timetable means more services to and from Euston Network Rail 14 December 2008
  31. ^ "Southern extends to Milton Keynes". The Railway Magazine. No. 1296. April 2009. p. 10.
  32. ^ Changes to National Rail Timetable National Rail 15 May 2022
  33. ^ "Engineer's Line References: London Euston to Crewe Line | London Euston to Rugby Trent Valley Junction". RailwayCodes.org. 18 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)". movie-locations.com.
  35. ^ "Superman IV (1987)". british-film-locations.com.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The others are Wolverton (north-west Milton Keynes), Bletchley (south-west Milton Keynes), Fenny Stratford (also south-west Milton Keynes), Bow Brickhill (south-east Milton Keynes), Woburn Sands and Aspley Guise (both in the far south-east of the built-up area)
  2. ^ When seen uphill along Midsummer Boulevard from Midsummer Roundabout near the station.[5] For more details, see Central Milton Keynes#Astronomical alignment.
[edit]
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