Liverpool Baltic Station
About the Project
Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and project partners are currently developing ambitious plans for a new station in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle and want to hear your views.
Plans for Liverpool Baltic station include step-free access from street to train, passenger waiting facilities, fully accessible passenger toilets, secured monitored cycle parking and links to an enhanced local active travel network.
The £100m station scheme is part of Mayor Rotheram’s “Merseyrail for All” commitment to reach communities that are currently not connected to the local rail network by utilising the region’s new pioneering battery powered technology, which has made it possible to extend the lines beyond current boundaries.
It is also hoped that it will encourage more residents to travel by public transport instead of car, supporting the Mayor’s target to reach net zero by 2035 – the most ambitious target for a city region in the country.
The fully-staffed Liverpool Baltic Station will provide a new link to the Merseyrail network for those living in the Baltic Triangle and Toxteth areas, as well as those travelling for work, leisure and education opportunities in one of the city region’s fastest growing areas.
The station scheme is being funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), allocated via the Department for Transport.
Subject to approval, it is expected work will begin on site in 2025, with the station planned for opening by the end of 2027.
Baltic Station CGI Images
Baltic Station street level view on Stanhope Street
FAQs
Why is it costing £100m?
- Classified as a sub-surface (underground) station requiring enhanced fire safety and evacuation requirements, these are very costly but necessary to comply with regulations.
- There is a significant amount of public realm and highways improvements proposed that are also included, coupled with associated land acquisitions accounted for within the overall development cost.
- The construction process will be complex and logistically challenging, requiring the station to be built over a live operational railway.
Why are you building this and not a station to the airport or the new Everton stadium?
- Delivering a station to serve the southern gateway of Liverpool City Centre is a Mayoral Priority.
- The location chosen is viewed as key public transport component of Liverpool City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the Baltic Triangle. The masterplan adopted as part of the SRF forms part of The Liverpool Local Plan (2013-2033) and guide future growth in the area for the next 15-20 years.
- The proposed location is also identified as a key component of the LCRCA’s Strategic Rail Plan for growth on the local rail network.
- Liverpool Baltic has a very strong business and strategic case for the inclusion of new station on the Northern Line in this location.
- It will support and boost further growth, inward investment and access to wider employment, education and training opportunities for the community in this part of the City Region.
- Separate projects and studies have been commissioned by LCRCA to identify the best public transport solutions for those locations.
It looks fantastic but why are you doing a public engagement?
- Engagement is both best practice and a legal requirement (Localism Act 2011) as part of the Planning Submission Process.
- Paragraph 39 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recognises that early engagement can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system for all parties, enables better coordination between public and private resources and results in improved outcomes for the community.
- It’s crucial we understand the various perspectives and opinions on what we are proposing and ensure as far as reasonably practicable that these views are heard and reflected upon before finalising designs.
Why haven’t you taken the opportunity to build office/living/community spaces above the main station building?
- This was examined and discounted during the early stages of the project. The costs to provide office, living, retail or community spaces above a sub-surface station (and therefore subject to enhanced fire safety and evacuation requirements) would make it prohibitively expensive to both construct and operate/let, undermining the business case for the station itself. Relatively low land prices in local and adjacent postcodes offer far better value proposition to provide the same facilities.
Will there be a chance to preserve some of the original waiting areas etc in the wall space by the platform?
- The former waiting rooms no longer exist other than as voids hewn in the cuttings. These spaces will be used to house plant and equipment to maximise passenger circulation space on the platforms.
- We will retain the historical features as much as possible
How accessible will the new station be?
- Fully accessible from street to train. The new fleet of Merseyrail trains can be boarded by wheelchair users without staff assistance. Station facilities are also fully accessible.
Why does the station have “Liverpool” prefix to it’s name when it’s not a city centre/terminus station?
- Liverpool Baltic is being developed as a city centre station, with the projected station usage being comparable to other city centre stations.
- For ticketing purposes, Liverpool Baltic will be included in the ‘Liverpool Stations’ grouping, which captures city centre stations with tickets being valid to/from Liverpool Central, Lime Street, James Street and Moorfields.
Why are you building the new station? It’s only a short walk to Liverpool One bus station and Liverpool Central station.
- There is a very strong business case for the new station which demonstrates that there is demand for a new station at this location, despite the proximity to Liverpool Central and Liverpool ONE bus station.
- The location chosen is viewed as key public transport component of Liverpool City Council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework and LCRCA’s Strategic Rail Plan for growth on the local rail network.
- It will support and boost further growth, inward investment and access to wider employment, education and training opportunities for the community in this part of the City Region.
- It will be the nearest station to the M&S Bank Arena and places further south in the city centre.
- The proposed station will improve accessibility to Liverpool’s waterfront and the southern dock system, including Liverpool Marina, Liverpool Watersports Centre, and the ACC conference complex, among others.
Why do the designs not show a roof over the tracks?
- An overall roof over the station cutting would increase costs disproportionate to any practical benefits received. The open cutting provides natural ventilation (needed to comply with sub-surface fire regulations) and allows natural light to reach the platforms, therefore reducing the needs for artificial lighting.
When will work start/finish?
- The work is anticipated start in 2025 (subject to full planning approval for the scheme being obtained) with works targeted for completion 2027.
When will the station be open for use?
- Upon completion of the construction, which is currently provisionally targeted for late 2027.
Where is the money coming from?
- It is funded from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), allocated from Central Government to Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to provide strategic investment the region’s transport infrastructure.
Will there be much disruption?
- Given the scale, complexity and nature of the works, yes, there will inevitably be some level of disruption in the surrounding area when the works are undertaken. This will see some disruption to rail services during the station’s construction, some degree of night-time/out of hours works to access the railway, as well as disruption to the local surrounding highways, while upgrades and remodelling of the area is completed.
- Local businesses and residents will be fully informed of disruption and road closures.
Will roads be closed?
- Yes, Stanhope Street will be partially closed for extended periods during the construction period to enable the creation of contractor site compound adjacent to the station and sections of both Ashwell and Stanhope Streets are proposed to be closed permanently to enable a new plaza area to be created in front of the station. Ashwell St will be remodelled and remain open to meet St James place. While permanent access to Stanhope Street will be via a diverted route through the adjacent housing estate for smaller vehicles and via a new access bollard arrangement for HGV’s on the plaza in front of the station for larger vehicles such as HGVs.
Will any local businesses be affected?
- Every effort will be made to minimise any disruption wherever possible, and any stakeholders affected by disruption, particular those neighbouring the station will be kept fully informed throughout the construction period, having direct lines of communication to the project team to raise any issues or concerns. However, it’s important to note that pedestrian and vehicular access to neighbouring properties will be maintained at all times through various localised diversions to enable normal business as usual and unimpeded access to continue throughout the works.
What pre-application engagement has taking place to date?
- The LCRCA has been actively engaging with neighbours, wider stakeholders, and various departments of Liverpool City Council. Their planning application strategy involves two submissions: One comprising the main station building, public realm, and the wider highways enabling works; and a second for a temporary construction compound to facilitate the building works.
What local planning authority consultation takes place before a planning application is decided, and with who?
- After a local planning authority has received the planning application, it will undertake a period of consultation where views on the proposed development can be expressed. The formal consultation period will normally last for 21 days, and the local planning authority will identify and consult a number of different stakeholder groups. This is prescribed in article 15 of the Development Management Procedure Order (as amended).
What publicity will take place to let the public know that a planning application has been submitted?
- Following the registration and validation of a planning application the consultation and publicity process will commence. The Council will publicise the application and notify relevant stakeholders and the community in accordance with the regulations, by a combination of the following methods:
- Publishing the application details on the City Council’s website and details of how to comment:
- Letter to the owners/occupiers of properties adjoining the application site advising of the application and the period in which to submit comments (usually 21 days);
- Site notice(s) displayed on the application site; and
- Publishing a notice in the local press for certain types of development.
How to view and comment the applications?
- All planning and other applications are available to view online at the following webpage liverpool.gov.uk. Anyone can comment on a planning application either in support or to object, regardless of whether they were notified individually. All comments must be made in writing either by email, letter or online via the Planning Portal and must contain the name and address of the author.
- Further information can be found on the Liverpool City Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (April, 2023).
