Headbolt Lane progress updates

[Bletchleyite]

Minimal. The service ran for about 9 months before the PTE withdrew it due to low patronage.

Bet it wasn't in the railway timetable and didn't (Saveaways aside) accept rail tickets...

(See also Skem to Kirkby...it's a good idea but it's a half job which probably means it'll fail)

 

[dvfmlfc]

I bet the number 50 bus only operated to Rainford (Junction) station and so probably carried next to no-one, had it operated to the centre of Rainford then it may have been slightly better used?

Yep, it only operated directly between Kirkby Station and Rainford Junction Station.

Bet it wasn't in the railway timetable and didn't (Saveaways aside) accept rail tickets...

(See also Skem to Kirkby...it's a good idea but it's a half job which probably means it'll fail)

No, service 50 wasn't in the rail timetables - it wasn't even included in the Merseyrail timetable of that era. The PTE published a regular bus timetable for it, apparently they were reluctant to operate it, but were under direct orders from the then Merseyside County Council to provide this service.

The new 319 Skem - Kirkby bus service seems to be picking up passengers after a slow start, the plan is to divert it to Headbolt Lane when the station opens

 

[Bletchleyite]

The new 319 Skem - Kirkby bus service seems to be picking up passengers after a slow start, the plan is to divert it to Headbolt Lane when the station opens

What would be good would be if they got into an agreement with Lancashire County Council to allow Skem to be added to the Saveaway and Railpass tickets as Ormskirk has been (rail only). Two quid each way for the bus fare is a fair whack of addition.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What would be good would be if they got into an agreement with Lancashire County Council to allow Skem to be added to the Saveaway and Railpass tickets as Ormskirk has been (rail only). Two quid each way for the bus fare is a fair whack of addition.

Any idea what the taxi fare would be in comparison?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Any idea what the taxi fare would be in comparison?

My guess would be £10-£15.

 

[dvfmlfc]

What would be good would be if they got into an agreement with Lancashire County Council to allow Skem to be added to the Saveaway and Railpass tickets as Ormskirk has been (rail only). Two quid each way for the bus fare is a fair whack of addition.

It would be a fantastically sensible idea. At the moment, a Liverpool-area Saveaway ticket is £4.60, plus the £4 return bus fare from Skem to Kirkby on the 319 - even that is fairly good value for money. As an extra incentive to attract passengers to Headbolt Lane, a through-ticket between Skem and Liverpool Central via the new station would be a no-brainer in my humble opinion. I think Merseytravel would go for it, but couldn't speak as confidently for Lancashire CC.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It would be a fantastically sensible idea. At the moment, a Liverpool-area Saveaway ticket is £4.60, plus the £4 return bus fare from Skem to Kirkby on the 319 - even that is fairly good value for money. As an extra incentive to attract passengers to Headbolt Lane, a through-ticket between Skem and Liverpool Central via the new station would be a no-brainer in my humble opinion. I think Merseytravel would go for it, but couldn't speak as confidently for Lancashire CC.

Have Lancashire County Council ever agreed to such a similar proposal as stated in other large areas, such as the TfGM administered area?

 

[Llandudno]

Howabout Merseytravel let rail users travel free on the bus from Headbolt Lane station to/from Skelmersdale.

No need to worry about complex through ticketing schemes and maybe the extra rail journeys to/from Headbolt Lane could cover most of the costs?

 

[Bertie the bus]

Howabout Merseytravel let rail users travel free on the bus from Headbolt Lane station to/from Skelmersdale.

Skem is in Lancashire. MerseyTravel can't permit free travel in areas outside of their jurisdiction and it probably wouldn't go down too well with Merseyside residents if they had to pay for their travel and also subsidise the travel of people in a different county.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Skem is in Lancashire. MerseyTravel can't permit free travel in areas outside of their jurisdiction and it probably wouldn't go down too well with Merseyside residents if they had to pay for their travel and also subsidise the travel of people in a different county.

Fundamentally this issue is caused by Skem and Ormskirk being in Lancashire, when if you consider how they associate both (and possibly Burscough too) should be in the Liverpool City Region.

 

[dvfmlfc]

If Skem had been included in the original Merseyside county, as originally envisioned (Southport was included instead), it's quite likely the station at Headbolt Lane and the proposed branch to Skem would've been well built by now.

 

[Djgr]

Fundamentally this issue is caused by Skem and Ormskirk being in Lancashire, when if you consider how they associate both (and possibly Burscough too) should be in the Liverpool City Region.

Lancashire needs to take money out of its pocket as the Welsh government has done for service improvements to Liverpool. No cash No Skem

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Lancashire needs to take money out of its pocket as the Welsh government has done for service improvements to Liverpool. No cash No Skem

I am sure that "Lancashire" are fully aware of where their finance will be directed as there are many and varied sectors in need of this finance.

 

[mcnw35282]

A few photos taken from the wasteland on the Northwood side of Headbolt Lane station. The 1st image is of the Wigan bound platform and was taken through a gap in the site fencing.

Most of the platform furniture seems to be installed now…and the platforms look fully surfaced, just the signage to be attached.

 

[darylyates17]

If known what is the latest updates in terms of the opening date? cant be too far away now

 

[ewanh723]

If known what is the latest updates in terms of the opening date? cant be too far away now

Planned to be arround the 24th of july. However that date is not 100% confirmed yet.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

If known what is the latest updates in terms of the opening date? cant be too far away now

Planned to be arround the 24th of july. However that date is not 100% confirmed yet.

Realtime Trains has Northern services from Monday 24 July.

 

[childwallblues]

Planned to be arround the 24th of july. However that date is not 100% confirmed yet.

That may be the opening date for passenger services but when is the extension from Kirkby to be opened to allow training? Two weeks ago three of the battery fitted units 777142/144/146 were still in the storage sidings at Southport whilst the final three 777148/150/152 are I assume still in Switzerland.

 

[SargeNpton]

Realtime Trains has Northern services from Monday 24 July.

May be delayed due to operating snags, so take the current RTT data with a pinch of salt.

 

[Geeves]

Besides running into the actual platform to ensure a train can fit on (and in) the Northern side must be relatively easy to get reopened. No signaling alterations etc, train crew briefs to hand out, what else?

 

[8A Rail]

Besides running into the actual platform to ensure a train can fit on (and in) the Northern side must be relatively easy to get reopened. No signalling alterations etc, train crew briefs to hand out, what else?

There will be signalling alterations as the line has been extended and unlike Kirkby, Headbolt Lane has two platforms on the Merseyrail side of the station. Although the alterations may be simple enough, they (drivers) still need to familiarise themselves with the operation between both stations especially with the intention there could be two Class 777's at Headbolt Lane on both MR platforms.

 

[Llandudno]

Is it likely that through passengers will need to catch a rail replacement bus between Headbolt Land and Kirkby until there are sufficient trained crew to work the Merseyrail section east of Kirkby?

 

[Geeves]

There will be signalling alterations as the line has been extended and unlike Kirkby, Headbolt Lane has two platforms on the Merseyrail side of the station. Although the alterations may be simple enough, they (drivers) still need to familiarise themselves with the operation between both stations especially with the intention there could be two Class 777's at Headbolt Lane on both MR platforms.

Yes agree on the Merseyrail side but on the Northern side the line is exactly as was only half a mile shorter. I don't think that would require anything more than a signed piece of paper say you know the changes.

 

[8A Rail]

Yes agree on the Merseyrail side but on the Northern side the line is exactly as was only half a mile shorter. I don't think that would require anything more than a signed piece of paper say you know the changes.

I would agree as the line between Kirkby and Rainford Junction works on one train in section (hand token) so in theory nothing changes there.

 

[frodshamfella]

Fundamentally this issue is caused by Skem and Ormskirk being in Lancashire, when if you consider how they associate both (and possibly Burscough too) should be in the Liverpool City Region.

Thats true, causes problems for travelling around.

 

[mcnw35282]

Just noticed this online...relating to the recent blockade at Kirkby to enable the track extension works. It seems platform 3 has indeed been constructed as a 'temporary' structure, as it has been built using foam blocks. Also, it gives a scheduled opening date of "late August'...so I wonder if they are gonna open it half finished to allow Blackburn trains to run from July 24th...

Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd Successfully Completes the Second Major Blockade on the Headbolt Lane Station Scheme – Buckingham Group Contracting

www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just noticed this online...relating to the recent blockade at Kirkby to enable the track extension works. It seems platform 3 has indeed been constructed as a 'temporary' structure, as it has been built using foam blocks. Also, it gives a scheduled opening date of "late August'...so I wonder if they are gonna open it half finished to allow Blackburn trains to run from July 24th...

Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd Successfully Completes the Second Major Blockade on the Headbolt Lane Station Scheme – Buckingham Group Contracting

www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk

It clearly is temporary, as if Merseyrail ever extend to Wigan you'd just want a standard two platform through station and would install a footbridge with lifts to connect the sides.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It clearly is temporary, as if Merseyrail ever extend to Wigan you'd just want a standard two platform through station and would install a footbridge with lifts to connect the sides.

Any idea of the going rate for a footbridge with lifts and the time to fulfil such a project? Can you let me know at what meeting (and when) that Merseyrail had a meeting agenda for an aspirational system expansion to Wigan.

 

[Scouse77]

The station has passive provision for a footbridge and lifts already.

 

[childwallblues]

Any idea of the going rate for a footbridge with lifts and the time to fulfil such a project? Can you let me know at what meeting (and when) that Merseyrail had a meeting agenda for an aspirational system expansion to Wigan.

Well an extension to Skelmersdale would have been high on the agenda and Wigan Wallgate would have been discussed but then many outher potential extensions with 777s would also have been.