Lea Green station has officially opened its brand-new station building, featuring a modern ticket office, comfortable waiting room, and upgraded toilet facilities. Alongside this, a new multi-storey car park has been completed, more than doubling the park and ride capacity to 450 spaces—making commuting easier and more convenient for passengers.
Northern, the train operator responsible for the station, led the delivery of the project and opened the new amenities following approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
This development forms part of the £15 million St Helens Southern Gateway initiative, spearheaded by St Helens Borough Council. Funding was provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and encouraging sustainable travel.
Despite the scale of the improvements, Lea Green station—used by over 465,000 passengers annually—remained open throughout the construction period, ensuring continued service for the community.
Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “We’re pleased to announce that these fantastic new facilities have opened, allowing customers to enjoy more comfortable and convenient journeys.
“We know this project has taken longer than expected and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“I’m sure customers will notice some significant improvements, as the station has been transformed following years of hard work and millions of pounds of investment."
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “At long last the improvements at Lea Green station are all approved which means passengers will be able to experience a high-quality environment.
“Good public transport is vital for connecting people with opportunity. This investment moves us closer towards building the London-style, integrated transport network that our region deserves – one that is reliable, accessible and fit for the future.”
Anthony Burns, leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “While the project has taken longer than initially anticipated, we are pleased that the state-of-the-art facilities at Lea Green station are opening to the public following Northern's completion of required works.
“This milestone represents a significant leap forward in our St Helens Southern Gateway programme, enhancing local transport connections and championing sustainable travel for years to come.
"The impressive new station building, alongside the expanded park and ride, stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering lasting benefits for passengers and the entire community.”
Image credits: Northern
