Work starts on new Kirby rail interchange first proposed in 1972

Construction is set to start this month on the new Merseyrail station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby, after planning permission was granted by Knowsley Council for the £80m scheme in December.

Once opened, it is anticipated that the station will replace Kirkby station as the interchange between the Merseyrail Northern Line and unelectrified Kirkby-Wigan line, currently operated by Northern Trains. Knowsley Council first proposed a station in the area in 1972 and detailed plans have been under development since 2013.

The project, which is set to open in Spring 2023, is being delivered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in partnership with Network Rail, Knowsley Council, Merseyrail and Northern. The scheme is funded by Transforming Cities Fund.

Plans include a bus interchange, 300 park and ride spaces, cycle parking and step-free access throughout the station. It also includes priority links to local cycling and walking networks. 

The project will extend the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby station and the Headbolt Lane station will be served by new trains featuring battery technology that removes the need to extend the third rail.

The scheme is designed to support future plans to build a new rail link to Skelmersdale, on which the Combined Authority is working closely with Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Network Rail. The new station will also be integrated into Northern services between Wigan and onto Manchester.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said, “Good public transport is vital for connecting people with each other and with opportunity. That’s never been more important than in the post-pandemic world, where we need to build back better. The new station is a key part of delivering my plans for an integrated, London-style publicly owned transport system for our city region. I’ll make it as quick, easy and affordable as possible to get around.”