The new station name was chosen following a public vote which was open for four weeks and saw a fantastic response with more than 1,000 comments in the first 24 hours.
The results saw Liverpool Baltic easily win the contest with a huge 77.7% of the votes, Liverpool Parliament Street came in second with 15.2% and coming in third place was Liverpool Riverside with 7.1%.
The choice to give the station a new name was taken in order to prevent confusion between the current James Street station in Liverpool city centre.
The main partners for the project and the creators of the shortlist of names are Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Network Rail, Merseyrail and Liverpool City Council.
The original St. James station first opened back in 1874 and was named after a parish church that was close to its location. The station was closed in 1917 due to cost-cutting measures during the First World War and was sadly never re-opened.
Mayor, Steve Rotherham has committed to the building of a station on the site which will be located in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle district and represents one of the fastest-growing parts of the city featuring tech businesses, new residential developments alongside popular bars, clubs and restaurants.
The new station will support commuters and leisure visitors' connectivity to the Merseyrail network and will offer a chance to cut car travel to the area, which in turn will reduce traffic congestion as well as support the city's aims to improve air quality.
Located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick Station on the Northern Line, the new station will include passenger toilets, a cycle hub, step-free access both to and from platforms alongside a passenger drop off point outside.
At the moment the project is in its design development stage with the land already purchased in order to protect a site which will see the new station ticket office building. With plans moving forward subject to funding being secured for the construction, the station could be open as soon as 2025.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“The Baltic Triangle has undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place to live, work and socialise. The station's name is a testament to that success – and will unlock a host of new opportunities for the people and businesses based there, boost footfall, and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region.
“Liverpool Baltic is a great choice and reflects the modern character of the station's home, which has become one of our region's greatest transformation stories in recent years.
“This delivery of this project – alongside another new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby – is another manifesto commitment delivered. It marks the first steps towards Merseyrail for All, my vision for the expansion of the local rail network. It's a massive part of my ambition to give our city region what London has had for years – a public transport system that is better-connected, more affordable, more reliable, and easier to use.”
Cllr Sarah Doyle, Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for Development and Economy, said:
“As a name Liverpool Baltic does what it says on the tin – and I'm glad because it will help further cement the Baltic Triangle's identity throughout the city region. This new station will also further help drive the economic growth of this part of the city centre and act as a vital service for the long-standing residential community. Its development will also tie in nicely with the city council's plans to improve the public realm in the area for both residents and visitors alike. The next few years should define the future of the Baltic Triangle for decades to come and it's exciting to see this story unfold.”
Andy Heath, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said:
“It's fantastic to see that so many people from across the Liverpool City Region have had their say in naming this important new station which will be added to the Merseyrail network.
It's fitting that this vibrant and forward-looking part of the City Region has a station name that reflects the transformation it has gone through in recent years.
We look forward to welcoming the first passengers to Liverpool Baltic station once complete and to realising the undoubted benefits it will bring to our community”
Maisie Hogan, scheme sponsor at Network Rail, said:
“We are delighted to be involved in another exciting new Merseyrail station being proposed by the Metro Mayor and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to open up economic and environmental benefits for businesses, residents and visitors to Liverpool City Centre.
“With Liverpool Baltic being voted as the station's name, we are now working with our partners to progress the design for this important new transport hub.”
Liverpool Parliament Street Sounds like a great name for a new Merseyrail station in Liverpool.