Liverpool Underground stations in £40m revamp over next five years
Liverpool's underground stations are to be overhauled in a £40m transformation, it has been announced.
Half the money will be spent on a "long overdue" refurbishment of congested Central station.
The station is set to be closed between April and August 2012 while work takes place.
Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail’s Managing Director said: “Liverpool Central is the busiest station on the network and should be Merseyrail’s flagship station but as we all know, it certainly isn’t in its present state. This major overhaul is long overdue and the inevitable inconvenience of closing the station whilst the work is carried out will be well worth the wait.
"By autumn 2012 Liverpool Central will be a very pleasant place to catch your train.”
“Liverpool Central will be fit to serve a city that itself has gone onward and upward over the last few years”.
Work to improve access and passenger flow will see the station completely overhauled. The station will enjoy a fully refurbished concourse area with natural light flowing through a clear, glazed roof.
There will also be an additional lift for disabled passengers and those with luggage or buggies.
Jo Kaye, route director of Network Rail, said: “This is great news for everyone who uses Central station and represents a major investment in the city by Network Rail. When the work is finished we will have transformed the station and I am sure everyone who uses it will welcome the improvements.”
Network Rail, which is providing the bulk of the funding for the work, said precise dates are not yet available because contracts for the work have not been let.
Central is however is expected to be closed from April to August next year.
Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said:”I have campaigned long for these improvements because, quite simply, Liverpool Central is no longer fit for purpose. I have already warned it is approaching a situation where it will become dangerous to the travelling public.
“Without this development it would only be a matter of time before someone was hurt.”
Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel, added:”We are drawing up plans for alternative bus services for the duration of the work to minimise inconvenience to commuters and to shoppers.”
The refurbishment of underground stations at Moorfields, Lime Street, James Street and Hamilton Square is also to take place "over the next few years".
For more Liverpool news visit www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
‹
Back
The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool
L3 9PP
Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email:
info@liverpoolvision.co.uk