Agreement signed to transform Liverpool’s rail network

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Agreement signed to transform Liverpool’s rail network

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New Class 777 in service with Merseyrail
New Class 777 in service with Merseyrail // Credit: RailAdvent

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed today, Thursday, 16 November at the UK’s newest train station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby in Merseyside by Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Liverpool’s Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram to provide Merseyside with a simpler, more affordable and integrated transport network

The agreement to the Government work in closer collaboration with Liverpool to deliver the plans, and was signed by the Transport Secretary, , and the Great British Railways Transition Team.

New Merseyrail Class 777 trainCredit Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
New Merseyrail Class 777 train. // Credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Plans implemented by the agreement should make it easier and cheaper to make journeys across the city. Transport should also be more accessible, providing better connectivity to jobs, and education and opening up business opportunities in the city. The agreement also supports the Government’s commitment to empower local authorities, and ensures that local communities should be at the heart of decision making.

The agreement is in addition to the Government’s £12 billion of funding as part of its Network North plan to provide better connections between and Liverpool, which will also enable delivery of Powerhouse Rail. The Government’s Network North plan provided the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority with a further £1 billion from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements, and another £600m following the cancellation of Phase 2 of HS2, which is more than twice the city’s previous allocation.

Headbolt Lane Station - Aerial View 2
Headbolt Lane Station aerial view. Photo credit: Merseyrail

Part of the region’s rail improvements is a new terminus for Merseyrail and Northern services at Headbolt Lane station, provides better connections to the Liverpool city centre, and Manchester, as well as the region’s bus services.

Headbolt Lane station will also be served by new state-of-the-art trains fitted with innovative battery technology. These are currently being developed and rolled out across the entire Merseyrail fleet which will soon become the UK’s first battery powered fleet of trains. They are part of Merseyrail’s plans to double the network’s capacity, deliver greener and more reliable services, and opens up the possibility of expanding the network.

Merseyrail / Stadler 777 on test at Bootle Oriel Road
Merseyrail Class 777 train at Bootle Oriel Road. // Credit: Merseyrail

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today’s agreement demonstrates this Government’s commitment to transforming public transport across the country and empowering elected leaders to make decisions based on the priorities of local people.

“This agreement follows over a billion pounds of funding committed to the city through our Network North plans and will kickstart transport improvements for people across the city, making journeys affordable and accessible for all.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “This deal signifies not only a massive moment for our region – but the start of a new wave of devolution for the country. It puts us on track to open up the right conversations around how we can improve our rail network for the better and run it in the best interests of passengers.

“It’s the Liverpool City Region once again blazing a trail in the revolution of our railways – and I’ll be fighting our area’s corner every step of the way to make sure we capitalise on this opportunity.”

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  1. I am a pensioner who uses Town Green Station on Northern line to commute to Liverpool on a number of occasions in the week. Will we ever be able to use our Lancashire Now pensioner concessionary card for such journeys?

  2. But what are the actual plans? New trains have been coming for 10 years so that can hardly be classed as a new investment. Head bolt lane has been delivered and opened, so where is the rest of this 1.6b of money going too. We’ve heard for 10 years about this northern powerhouse, when is it getting delivered? What are the concrete plans for it? Because It seems to me that all the Tories do is reallocate previous money and call it a new investment package when not much actually gets delivered. How is it going to be easier and cheaper and more integrated?

  3. Train faults are all too common with the new trains! Especially last minute cancellations. Not good enough! Never really used to happen with the old rolling stock. FOUR times I’ve been late for work in just the last two weeks going from Rock Ferry…

  4. Any chance the West of the city can get some of that Money, we are served by the worst bus service the 12 and 13….and no trains. The road infrastructure is also not fit for purpose.

  5. Network needs Heswall to Liverpool line sorted asap.
    Also first class city needs train to airport terminal from city centre direct. This is a huge oversight

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