Merseyrail: funding for Headbolt Lane and St James stations

[Statto]

I was going to say call the new station Kirkby Tower Hill, but looking at the location it's going to serve Northwood estate as well as Tower Hill estate, Northwood is the estate on the south side of the station

 

[Skie]

Kirkby Wood Hill wouldn’t be a terrible name

 

[prod_pep]

I would rename the current Kirkby station 'Kirkby Westvale' after the housing estate to the immediate south of the station. For the new station, 'Kirkby Tower Hill' or 'Kirkby Northwood' would both be suitable but Headbolt Lane would be a very poor choice of name. I can't imagine ever referring to the branch as the 'Headbolt Lane line'.

 

[Gareth]

I said exactly the same thing on Mersey Railways Facebook group. May only be redoubled in both station areas. Kirkby itself could do with the redoubling.

I really think it would be worth doing properly first time round. 4tph in and out is not trivial traffic and the single section isn't that long really. Sure, an additional bridge is required but it can be done.

 

[Gareth]

Although if the current single section works you could just redouble Kirkby eastwards, I suppose. I wouldn't recommend yet more single line running between Kirkby and Headbolt Lane.

It also depends on the timetabling and turnaround times.

 

[lancastrian]

If there are to be 2 tracks to Kirkby, an additional bridge span over the M57 will not be cheap. Maybe it will be just partial redoubling.

Personally I would put the cost for the widened bridge on to the Roads Department. As it was the roads budget that built that bridge single track in the first place. All road over rail and under rail bridges on open lines should always be built to the full width of the track bed despite how much of it is in use. For example double track even if it is now only single track. But when you look at the recent redoubling done at various places around the country, why should the costs for redoubling be stopped because road bridge widening is a major cost. Roads bridges should always be paid for by the Roads Budgets,

 

[urbophile]

Personally I would put the cost for the widened bridge on to the Roads Department. As it was the roads budget that built that bridge single track in the first place. All road over rail and under rail bridges on open lines should always be built to the full width of the track bed despite how much of it is in use. For example double track even if it is now only single track. But when you look at the recent redoubling done at various places around the country, why should the costs for redoubling be stopped because road bridge widening is a major cost. Roads bridges should always be paid for by the Roads Budgets,

The same problem exists west of Broad Green on the Chat Moss line. The Queens Drive flyover only bridges two tracks making it impossible to reinstate four tracks.

 

[mr_jrt]

...isn't the far bigger problem there the fact that the M62 slip road is on the trackbed of two of the tracks?

 

[Skie]

...isn't the far bigger problem there the fact that the M62 slip road is on the trackbed of two of the tracks?

You’re right, the slip road to go under the M62 is what is on the old trackbed/station, bridge for the M62 itself is 4 tracks wide.

The bridge at Queens Drive junction also has a big chunk of concrete in the way.

I might have seen somewhere that all of that road infrastructure is life expired soon and needs to be rebuilt.

 

[Gareth]

The Queens Drive flyover is to be demolished at some point. A diveunder will be put in between the M62 and Edge Lane. Queens Drive will meet the junction at grade.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

This from the Liverpool Echo re At James (http://liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-merseyrail-train-station-plans-19195950)

New Merseyrail train station plans for Liverpool city centre given huge boost

It has been a long term goal to open a station where one once stood more than a hundred years ago

BY NICK TYRRELL
17:09, 30 OCT 2020


Plans for a new Merseyrail station in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle have been given a boost after another £1.5m in funding was committed to the project.

Two separate developments, the purchase of a plot of land next to the potential station site and progression of the design process, mean the plan for the new station continues to progress.


The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has secured an agreement with Network Rail, worth £1.2m, to start the next stage of the design process, and a plot of land adjacent to the railway cutting off Stanhope Street has been purchased for £300,000.

That plot would potentially house the ticket office of the station.


Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has pledged to build a new station on the site of the former St James station, which closed in 1917, which would be located in one of the fastest growing areas of the city, near to the former Cains Brewery.

He said: “I’m working to deliver a London-style transport system across the city region that is quick, affordable and easy to use, as well as expanding our network so our communities can be better connected.


“The Baltic Triangle has undergone a radical transformation over the past decade and has become a fantastic place for people to live, work and enjoy themselves.

“ While coronavirus continues to have a huge impact on everyday life, I am determined to keep investing in our region’s economic recovery and I remain ambitious for our future. Today we’ve taken another step towards delivering a new station for the Baltic, which will help connect people with jobs, opportunities and the wider city region.”

Liverpool City Council's own framework for the development of the Baltic, which is expanding rapidly, includes a new station there as a key goal.

Councillor Sharon Connor, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and highways, said: “The Baltic Triangle’s development into one of the UK’s digital creative hotspots has been one of Liverpool’s great success stories of the past decade.

“This growth has created challenges on transport and Liverpool City Council has worked hard to invest in the area’s infrastructure, but we all know a new train station is vital for its future success and taking that development to the next level.


“This new funding is very welcome and outlines a commitment from all our partners have to ensure the Baltic Triangle can develop as a major economic engine for the city and wider region.”

Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail, said the latest steps were “very promising" in the push for a new station, while Network Rail's Adeola Dada said the new investment from the combined authority meant a number of potential designs for the station could now be considered.

(Edited 3/11/20 to include text of article)

 

[Liverpool 507]

Further funding has been secured for Headbolt Lane: https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/news/major-funding-boost-for-headbolt-lane-station-scheme-in-kirkby/

Interesting to see that the new station will have three platforms. I assume two are for Merseyrail and one for Northern.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The picture shows 2 platforms so could this be an error?

 

[Liverpool 507]

The picture shows 2 platforms so could this be an error?

Could be further down out of sight. After all, where is the Northern train in the photo?

 

[Geeves]

I think it was Skelmersdale station they wished to have three platforms. You would imagine in the grand plans no Northern service will ever reach Headbolt Lane (as they would end at the new Skelmersdale station) but then it depends if they build everything together, probably not, thats too easy. Also its nice to know Mersey travel themselves know what is going on !

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think it was Skelmersdale station they wished to have three platforms. You would imagine in the grand plans no Northern service will ever reach Headbolt Lane (as they would end at the new Skelmersdale station) but then it depends if they build everything together, probably not, thats too easy. Also its nice to know Mersey travel themselves know what is going on !

To me Skem logically would be built as a 2-platform end-on terminus with a single "island", allowing cross-platform interchange. I can see why you might want another one in case you need to put a failure out of the way but it shouldn't be a platform in normal use, otherwise the interchange is less effective.

 

[Geeves]

I think you're probably right and that's what will be built, not sure it needs to be much more complicated than that!

 

[snowball]

Third rail to Headbolt Lane or battery?

 

[TheSel]

The picture shows 2 platforms so could this be an error?

It also shows a bus with no door on its nearside. Perhaps they're expecting us to be driving on the right by the time the station opens?

 

[Liverpool 507]

I’m still keen to know whether Fazakerley (Up & Down Kirkby merging crossover) to Kirkby (Or even Headbolt Lane) will be redoubled?

 

[Llandudno]

Surely they can’t call it Headbolt Lane?

It would look daft on departure boards at Manchester Victoria (or even further east if the trains originate from elsewhere?)

Got to be Kirkby Northwood?

Mind you they will probably go for Knowsley Parkway.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Whatever it is I'd expect a Kirkby prefix.

 

[The Planner]

Could be further down out of sight. After all, where is the Northern train in the photo?

It is out of sight, as previously mentioned in the thread, its 2 platforms Merseyrail, 1 Northern. The line is re-doubled from the end of the Northern platform to Headbolt Lane station.

 

[TheSel]

I’m still keen to know whether Fazakerley (Up & Down Kirkby merging crossover) to Kirkby (Or even Headbolt Lane) will be redoubled?

Surely the cost of doubling the bridge over the M57 would be prohibitive?

Image from Google Maps showing existing single track width bridge over the M57.

 

[The Planner]

The way the diagram shows it is odd, you have a "conventional" two platform station on the Merseyrail side and a side platform on the Wigan side but opposite side to the Merseyrail one, which as shown would either mean the island would be temporary if through services ever happened or it isn't possible to have through services in the future. The Knowsley freight headshunt has to be re-aligned to make it work. The only way I can really describe it is as below with * being the platforms. Its as though the line on the Wigan side will be on the centre of a two track formation.

****1
ooooo ****3
ooooo oooooooooo
****2

That is the layout, the M57 bridge is not being widened.

 

[Ianno87]

It is out of sight, as previously mentioned in the thread, its 2 platforms Merseyrail, 1 Northern. The line is re-doubled from the end of the Northern platform to Headbolt Lane station.

So the Kirkby branch is double track until the present single line at Fazakerley, single line through the platform at Kirkby, then resumes double track immediately at the Wigan end of Kirkby station?

That is the layout, the M57 bridge is not being widened.

So, in your diagram, P1 and P2 would be conventional 'side' platforms on a double track railway (just with buffers at the end of the them), P3 track sits buffer back-to-buffer back with Platform 2 (essentially like the existing Kirkby layout, except that the platform face for the Wigan direction switches sides of the track)

 

[The Planner]

So the Kirkby branch is double track until the present single line at Fazakerley, single line through the platform at Kirkby, then resumes double track immediately at the Wigan end of Kirkby station?



So, in your diagram, P1 and P2 would be conventional 'side' platforms on a double track railway (just with buffers at the end of the them), P3 track sits buffer back-to-buffer back with Platform 2 (essentially like the existing Kirkby layout, except that the platform face for the Wigan direction switches sides of the track)

Spot on Sir.

 

[Skie]

“The new station and reinstatement of two tracks, will mean Merseyrail and Northern can serve a greater number of passengers in the wider Kirkby area." -Karen Hornby Head of stations and customer relationship for Network Rail

It ultimately has to be done for the Skem extension, and they have a direct quote saying this includes doubling, but who knows.

 

[Llandudno]

“The new station and reinstatement of two tracks, will mean Merseyrail and Northern can serve a greater number of passengers in the wider Kirkby area." -Karen Hornby Head of stations and customer relationship for Network Rail

It ultimately has to be done for the Skem extension, and they have a direct quote saying this includes doubling, but who knows.

Northern could already serve a greater number of people in the wider Kirkby area by running trains after 6pm and also providing a Sunday service!

 

[Ianno87]

“The new station and reinstatement of two tracks, will mean Merseyrail and Northern can serve a greater number of passengers in the wider Kirkby area." -Karen Hornby Head of stations and customer relationship for Network Rail

It ultimately has to be done for the Skem extension, and they have a direct quote saying this includes doubling, but who knows.

I'm taking the doubling being referred to is simply that between Kirkby (exclusive) and Headbolt Lane (inclusive). The rest of the route to Rainford Junction would remain single, as I doubt there's a reason to double it until Skelmersdale happens (but Headbolt Lane is built in such a way to permit double track to continue through).