A Large Rail Project in Liverpool City Region: £340m for Rail Upgrade

The rail network in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) will undergo a £340m upgrade over the next three years with the aim to provide frequent and better train services by 2019. The scope of the project includes the construction of two new platforms at Liverpool Lime Street station. The two platforms, which will be built between existing platforms seven and eight, will facilitate additional services and accommodate longer trains. Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman said: “This multimillion pound investment will give Liverpool a first class station with better local, regional and national links. “It is another vital step in Liverpool’s regeneration.” Other projects include the construction of an additional track section between Huyton and Roby, improvement of Halton Curve to facilitate new services between Liverpool and Chester, completion of the final phase of the Merseyrail loop, and construction of a new station at Maghull North. The modernisation projects, which are under Network Rail’s railway upgrade plan, will help meet the expected 100% rise in demand for rail travel throughout the region. These upgrades will also provide additional services that include new First Transpennine Express services from Liverpool to Glasgow to be operational in 2019, and new Liverpool to Chester services. Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “It is 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.” For the £340m upgrade, Network Rail will invest £229m and Liverpool will provide £111m. Some of this investment will be made through the government’s Growth Deal funding.