20.09.17
Work begins on new Maghull North station
Construction of a new station in the north west has started this week, which will give increased travel options for passengers in the region.
When finished, the new Maghull North station will be just off School Lane, adjacent to the formaer Ashworth Hospital site, between the existing Maghull and Town Green stations on the Ormskirk branch of Merseyrail’s Northern Line.
The station is a key part of the Sefton Local Plan, which is providing the additional infrastructure for 370 new homes – with more construction planned for the area in the future.
Maghull North, which is set for a May 2018 opening and will cost £13m, will boast a number of facilities, including a staffed station building, waiting areas on platform and step-free access.
“The start of work on the new Maghull North station is fantastic news for the local area,” said Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel.
“The new station is a prime example of our Long Term Rail Strategy being put into practice. The facilities at the new station will give local residents more travel options and play a big part in helping the on-going development of Maghull. We look forward to seeing the facilities open next year.”
Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail's managing director, added that the opening of another station was “testament to the surge in popularity of our railway”, as an increasing number of Liverpool city region residents are aware of how easy and convenient it is to travel on Merseyrail.
“With more houses being built close by, we are confident that Maghull North will soon be seen as an essential amenity within this expanding community,” he explained.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s London North Western route managing director, noted that with passenger figures set to double during peak periods by 2043, “the upgrade to the railway across Merseyside is vital to transform train travel for passengers in the future”.
“We’ve worked closely with our colleagues across the transport industry, and the Liverpool city region, over the past two years to build a robust plan to keep passengers on the move during our upgrade,” he added.
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for Locality Services, stated that the station not only provides some of the infrastructure needed to support the area’s Local Plan, “it also complements other transport schemes like the improvements to junction 1 on the M58 and the A59 making Sefton even more accessible.I look forward to the scheme progressing with the station planned to open next year”.
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