New Maghull North Station starts to take shape following recent milestone

THE new Maghull North Station scheme passed another key milestone, as lift shafts, footbridge and stairs have now been successfully installed.

The scheme, which is being delivered by Network Rail on behalf of Merseytravel, began work on site in September 2017 and remains on schedule to open in May 2018.

The bridge and lift installation followed a 12 day upgrade programme over the festive period and further weekend works in the new year to install Station foundations and platforms.

Over 17,000 hours were worked in total by Network Rail's Team Orange with the help of a 500 tonne crane to install the Station's key elements. Work will soon begin on constructing the Station building and car park.

The new Maghull North Station will be located just off School Lane next to the former Ashworth Hospital site, between the existing Maghull and Town Green Stations on the Ormskirk branch of Merseyrail's Northern Line.

The Station forms a key piece of infrastructure in the Sefton Local Plan, supporting local public transport demand from a nearby new housing development that will include 370 homes, with more homes planned for the area in the near future.

It also forms part of the wider ₤340m investment of rail improvements across the Liverpool City Region over the next 3 years, and sits within the wider Great North Rail Project to transform train travel across the North.

A public drop in session has been organised allow local residents to look at drawings and photos of the project and ask questions to members of the project team. This will be held in the Function Suite at Maghull Town Hall, on Tuesday, 13 February 2018, from 4pm to 7pm.

Cllr Liam Robinson chair of The Combined Authority Transport Committee, which oversees the work of Merseytravel, said:- "There's been a lot of important work carried out over the last few weeks and it's great to see that the Station is now really starting to take shape. The Maghull North Station scheme is a prime example of our Long Term Rail Strategy being put into practice. The new Station will be of huge benefit to local residents, giving more travel options while playing a big part in helping the on going development of Maghull in the coming years."

Martin Frobisher, Network Rail's London North Western route managing director, said:- "Maghull North Station is an essential part of the ₤340m programme of railway improvements in the Liverpool City Region. We have completed an extensive amount of work over the past few weeks setting the Station foundations and installing platforms, footbridge, stairs and lift shafts. This much needed investment, which sits within our Great North Rail Project, is vital to boost the local economy and transform train travel for passengers in Merseyside and beyond."

Facilities at the new Station will include:-

► Staffed Station building and ticket office with passenger toilet.

► Passenger waiting facilities on the platforms.

► Step free access with lifts and a bridge to, from and between both platforms and the Station building.

► 156 space car park with blue badge and motorcycle parking facilities, as well as cycle storage.

► Pedestrian and cycle routes from School Lane and Park Lane to the Station, and bus stops on School Lane.

► Future provision for electric vehicle charging points.

The ₤13m scheme is being funded through the Government's Local Growth Fund (LGF), Merseytravel and the Homes and Communities Association, which previously owned the land on which the Station will be built. Network Rail is building the Station, which will be operated by Merseyrail.

More details on the scheme can be found on the Merseytravel website.