Massively successful Friends of Brighouse Station (FoBS) gathered on silver jubilee day, 28 May 2025 to do a morning’s work on the station before a celebratory lunch at the pub nearby. The group focuses on looking after the station – not doing things the railway should be doing but providing floral displays, high-quality posters and a wildlife garden. Local businesses provide sponsorship.
And campaigning, is for others, we were firmly told! Station adoption groups make the railway a more attractive place better for all who travel by train.
Hadrag, formed in 1985, campaigned over 15 years with other groups like West Yorkshire Transport 2000 for Brighouse reopening. The late James Towler, who chaired the regional rail users’ consultative committee, also chaired our public meetings in Brighouse.
Work has started on changes to Brighouse station where more space is needed for rail-replacement buses as diversions gather pace on the TransPennine route upgrade. A small number – about three we heard – will be lost to create a better, more convenient area for people to wait and board rail replacement buses. We guess there’ll be some inconvenience over the summer whilst the work is being done including remarking of car park. Also promised are more space to wait for trains on platform 2 (westbound) using available space for widening; platform zoning markings; painting of access ramps.
And there is to be a toilet pod on platform 1 (eastbound). So expect digging to create drains. We gather the facility will be permanent!
Halifax and District Rail Action Group 