Liverpool’s rail network set for £340m overhaul

A new partnership between transport operator Network Rail and the Liverpool City Region will see £340m invested in the area’s railways.

The nine-figure funding, which comprises £111m from the authorities of the city region and £229m from Network Rail, will be used to increase capacity at Lime Street by up to three trains per hour, allow for trains with more carriages and create a new station in Maghull, among other improvements.

The cash could also see a new service launched between Liverpool and Cheshire, according to Rail Technology Magazine, in addition to upgrades at Newton le Willows station and extra track connecting Huyton and Roby.

Merseyrail chair Cllr Liam Robertson said: “We see this as essential incremental improvement ahead of transformational schemes such as high speed links north-south and east- west to ensure we fulfil our potential as a key player in the Northern Powerhouse.”

Speaking further, Cllr Robinson said the work forms part of a 30-year Long Term Rail Strategy.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, who is the chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, commented: “It’s a welcome sign of our success and growing economy, with more jobs and businesses, that there is more demand for train services to travel both around the city region and beyond.

“This investment will mean real improvements for people in every corner of the city region, while we continue to lobby hard for the big transformational investments like HS2 and HS3.”

The works are, however, likely to cause disruption for passengers, with Lime Street Station due to close in Autumn 2017 and again at some point in 2018.

Network Rail’s route managing director, Martin Frobisher, said: “Our focus during any disruption is to take a similar approach to the Commonwealth Games, to ensure that while journeys will be slightly different, that they run smoothly enabling access to the city at all times.”