Major milestone for Liverpool Baltic station as planning application goes live

• Planning application for Liverpool Baltic station scheme goes in to Liverpool Council

• Mayor says world-class transport network is key to unlocking the full potential of our region

• Subject to approval, construction scheduled to begin next year.

The Liverpool Baltic station scheme is part of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s vision to improve the public transport network across the Liverpool City Region – other projects include the new Mersey Ferry, St Helens Interchange redevelopment, bus franchising and rapid bus transit.

Additional rail schemes include the recent introduction of new, modern accessible trains and future plans for three new stations at Daresbury (Halton), Woodchurch (Wirral) and Carr Mill (St Helens).

With the Combined Authority setting an ambitious target to make the city region Net Zero by 2035, the station will help encourage people to get out of their cars and travel more by public transport as well as attract more people to this up-and-coming area.

Passenger benefits including step-free access from pavement to train, modern facilities, toilets and secure storage for cycling are all part of the plans.

As part of the scheme, highways works will connect the station to surrounding areas and integrate with the city’s expanding active travel network.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“For decades there were no new stations built on our network, so this is another major milestone in the development of the expansion of rail services in our region. Liverpool Baltic Station isn’t just about improving connectivity – it’s about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool City Region.

“Investing almost £100 million at the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant areas, will help to make this part of the city more accessible to all while easing congestion and helping us achieve our net-zero targets.

“Liverpool Baltic is another step in our vision to build a fully integrated London-style transport system. We’re extending Merseyrail to more communities with future stations already planned in Daresbury, Woodchurch, and Carr Mill. I believe good quality public transport is a right, not a privilege.”

The aim is for construction will begin next year, with the Mayor pledging to have the station open by 2027.

A CGI aeriel view of what the Baltic station could look like.

Submission of the planning application follows significant support from a recent public consultation. The station, set to be located on Merseyrail’s Northern Line, will serve one of the city’s most dynamic districts, recently named the 11th coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out magazine.

The development builds on the success of the £80 million Headbolt Lane station, which opened last year in Kirkby. This station is served by pioneering battery-powered trains which have brought about the first extension to the Merseyrail network in a generation, with further growth planned.

The scheme is being funded via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), dedicated to major transport projects across the city region. At last month’s Combined Authority meeting, local leaders approved a new £96m funding package for the scheme, which paved the way for the planning application submission.

Alongside the station scheme, the Combined Authority is working on a number of other public transport projects, including the new Mersey Ferry, St Helens Interchange redevelopment, bus franchising and rapid bus transit, which will further help to develop our network.

For more information about the scheme, visit: liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/liverpoolbaltic