Major Funding Boost For Headbolt Lane Station In Kirkby

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s plans for a new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby received a welcome boost thanks to an additional 66 million GBP from the Transforming Cities Fund agreed at the latest Combined Authority meeting. The new station plans include proposals for around 300 park and ride spaces and a bus interchange with step-free access throughout the station.

The full scheme includes the extension of the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby station. It would also mean that residents in the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of the town would be even closer to services on the Merseyrail network. It would see Merseyrail services run into the new station, as opposed to the current services which run as far as Kirkby. Northern services from Wigan and Manchester would also operate to and from the new three-platform station.

The station development forms part of the plans to build new rail link to Skelmersdale, which would connect to the Merseyrail network via the Kirkby branch. Merseytravel is continuing to work closely with Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Network Rail to support that scheme.

Network Rail is currently progressing the outline design for the project and preparing a full planning application for the necessary approvals. Work is aimed to start later this year and it is planned for the new station to be operational in 2023. The station also forms part of the Liverpool City Region Long Term Rail Strategy, a 30-year plan, which was updated in 2018.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, said: “As Metro Mayor, bringing our communities closer together has been a priority for me. We’ve already opened the first new station on the Merseyrail network at Maghull North, and now we’re cracking on with plans to build another at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby.

Kirkby is somewhere especially close to my heart, and this 66 million GBP of funding is a real statement of intent for my vision. I want to make it as quick, cheap and easy as possible for people to get around our region. Transport might look a little different in the post-pandemic era, but I am still determined to deliver on my plans for an integrated, London-style transport system."

The new station and reinstatement of two tracks will mean Merseyrail and Northern can serve a greater number of passengers in the wider Kirkby area. It will mean better connections to Liverpool and Manchester by public transport, bringing greater opportunities for work, study and leisure.