Newly released footage has revealed the scale of progress on Network Rail’s £3.5 million programme to strengthen and waterproof the Victorian-era tunnels beneath Liverpool city centre, with engineers now more than halfway through the major upgrade project.
The four-week closure of the Northern Line, which began on 11 October, has allowed Network Rail and its contractors to undertake critical maintenance and modernisation work on infrastructure that dates back more than a century.
Working around the clock, a team of more than 50 engineers and specialists has already completed significant elements of the scheme. Progress to date includes:
- Removing 92m² of ageing concrete ahead of the installation of new structural material.
- Drilling 6,400 holes in tunnel walls to facilitate waterproofing injections.
- Creating 197 weep holes to direct water into drainage systems.
- Waterproofing 1,672m² of tunnel wall.
The works are taking place on the Northern Line between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central, where services remain suspended while essential upgrades are completed.
Alongside the tunnel strengthening programme, Network Rail is also taking advantage of the possession to modernise power control systems across both Merseyrail lines through a series of extended Sunday closures.
Rail replacement bus services have been introduced to help passengers travel across the Liverpool City Region during the disruption.
Normal train services are scheduled to resume on the morning of 7 November, following the completion of the project.
Critical Investment in Network Reliability
The tunnel improvement programme is designed to enhance the long-term resilience of one of the UK's oldest urban rail networks, reducing the risk of water ingress and structural deterioration while supporting reliable operations for years to come.
Paul Owen, Liverpool Area Director for Network Rail, said:
"This is a significant £3.5m investment into the underground section of the Merseyrail network to maintain four Victorian-built tunnels for 21st-century passengers.
“We understand that this work is disruptive, so we’ve been working with Merseyrail to minimise the impact of the upgrades as much as possible and are asking passengers to plan their journeys using the National Rail or Merseyrail websites.”
Focus on Long-Term Performance
Merseyrail says the infrastructure investment will help improve service reliability and reduce future disruption across the network.
Stephen Dodd, Merseyrail Chief Operating Officer, said:
“We'd like to thank our passengers for their patience while this important work is carried out. These upgrades will help improve the long-term reliability of the Northern Line and reduce the risk of future disruption. We encourage customers to plan ahead and check before they travel during the closure."
The £3.5 million scheme forms part of wider efforts to modernise key sections of the Merseyrail network while preserving vital Victorian-era infrastructure that continues to play a critical role in supporting millions of passenger journeys each year.
Image and Video credits: Merseyrail
