WORK is officially underway on the £80m scheme to build a new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and representatives from the other partners involved in delivering the scheme saw earthworks taking place to prepare the site for the construction of the new station building, platforms and car park later in the year.
Additional works will also be taking place to install new bridges and widen the embankment of the line between Kirkby and the new station over the coming months.
Steve Rotheram said: “As a Kirkby native, I’ve heard talk about a new station coming to Headbolt Lane for as long as I can remember. Thanks to devolution, with more decisions being taken locally, we are finally going to make it a reality.”
The new station plans include:
- Step-free access throughout the station
- A bus interchange
- Cycle storage
- Links to active travel networks
- Passenger waiting facilities and toilets
- Approximately 300 park and ride spaces
The full scheme includes the extension of the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby station and will see Merseyrail services run into the new station. Northern services from Wigan and Manchester will also operate to and from the new three-platform station.
Headbolt Lane will be the first station to benefit from battery technology on the new trains for the Merseyrail network, removing the need to extend the third rail beyond the existing Kirkby station.
The scheme is designed to support future plans to build a new rail link to Skelmersdale, on which the Combined Authority is working closely with Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Network Rail to support.
It is also aligned to Knowsley Council’s plans to improve transport access in the area for residents whilst also supporting workers and visitors to one of Europe’s largest employment sites – Knowsley Business Park.
Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: “It is fantastic to see work begin at Headbolt Lane station as we make steps towards connecting more people within the Liverpool City Region by extending the Merseyrail network.
“Working in partnership to deliver a railway that our communities can be proud of is our key objective and extending the network to serve new areas is key to this.
“We are incredibly excited to begin to serve customers at Headbolt Lane when the station opens in 2023.”
