THE number of people who used some of Wrexham and Flintshire's most popular train stations over the last year has been revealed.

Station usage more than doubled across Great Britain in 2021-22 as people across the country returned to more normal travelling routines following the coronavirus pandemic.

And in Flintshire, Flint was the most-used station in the year to March, Office of Rail and Road figures show, as 187,992 passengers entered and exited.

At the other end, Hawarden Bridge saw the least activity, with 1,268 visits across the year.

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And in Wrexham, Wrexham General was the most-used station in the year to March, as 400,342 passengers entered and exited.

At the other end, Wrexham Central saw the least activity, with 13,194 visits across the year.

In the UK overall, after falling to number four in the rankings in 2020-21, London Waterloo – which was the most active station for 16 straight years before the pandemic – returned to the top with 41.4 million passengers.

Meanwhile, Elton and Orston in rural Nottinghamshire was the least-used station in the country with 40 recorded entries and exits.

Across the country, passenger numbers rebounded from a pandemic drop in 2020-21.

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.

But this was still well below the 3 billion passengers who used stations in 2019-20, before the pandemic.

The ORR’s estimates of station usage are taken from the rail industry’s ticketing and revenue system Lennon, with some local ticketing data.

Adjustments are made to make the estimates as accurate as possible, the regulator said.

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."

In Flintshire, 404,432 passengers entered and exited train stations in 2021-22 – up from 126,354 the previous year, but below pre-pandemic levels of 607,356 in 2019-20.

In Wrexham, 568,654 passengers entered and exited train stations in 2021-22 – up from 179,266 the previous year, but below pre-pandemic levels of 774,904 in 2019-20.