The Office of Rail and Road has officially authorised a major upgrade to Lea Green station in St Helens, Merseyside, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of local transport infrastructure.
The approved works include a new station building, a multi-storey car park that more than doubles parking capacity, and a redesigned station forecourt. Additional improvements include enhanced passenger information systems, public realm upgrades, and accessibility enhancements.
The new station building replaces the previous structure built in 2000 and is part of a wider project to improve connectivity and transport services in the region. The upgrades are designed to meet rigorous standards for health and safety, accessibility, environmental protection, and reliability.
ORR worked closely with Network Rail’s Safety Review Panel, Northern (which operates the station on behalf of Merseyrail), and the wider project team to ensure all necessary checks and surveys were completed. Final documentation was submitted by Northern on 4 August, and ORR authorised the station just three days later.
Steve Fletcher, ORR’s Deputy Director of Engineering and Asset Management, commented:
“This is an important step for improving rail connectivity on Merseyside, and we look forward to seeing the upgraded infrastructure open to passengers soon.
“We’re pleased to have played our part in getting Lea Green Station ready to open. Our team worked closely with Northern to support them through the authorisation process, just as we do for new trains and infrastructure across the country.”
The upgrade is expected to improve passenger experience, support local economic growth, and encourage greater use of public transport across Merseyside.
Image credit: iStock
