Work is underway on an £80m scheme to build a new Merseyrail station.
Ground has been officially broken on the landmark project that will create a new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby.
The initial earthworks are now underway that will see the new station building, platforms and car park formed on the site later this year.
READ MORE: Thieving carer 'as low as it gets' went on Amazon shopping sprees
Additional works will also be taking place to install new bridges and widen the embankment of the line between Kirkby and the new station over the coming months.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram was on hand to watch ground being broken this week on a project he has cited as a key part of his plans for an improved public transport network in the region.
He said: "As a Kirkby native, I’ve heard talk about a new station coming to Headbolt Lane for as long as I can remember. Thanks to devolution, with more decisions being taken locally, we are finally going to make it a reality.
“In the last few years, working alongside Cllr Graham Morgan and Knowsley Council, we’re delivering something of a renaissance for Kirkby after decades of private sector failure. From tens of millions of pounds invested into the Townie, to the construction of this new station, we’re giving local people a place to be proud of once again.
“The new station is another step on our journey towards my ambition of building a London-style transport system for our region. I want to make getting around as quick, cheap, clean and reliable wherever you live.
“Headbolt Lane will be the first station opened under Merseyrail for All and I can’t wait to see local people – and our brand new publicly owned trains – bringing the station to life.”
Mayor Rotheram has pledged to deliver a London-style, integrated public transport region for the city region which aims to bring together bus, rail, ferry and active travel in one simple, affordable and easy to use transport network.
Headbolt Lane will also be the first new station opened under the Merseyrail For All plans, which aim to expand the local train network through a combination of brand new stations in underserved parts of the region and by utilising new technology on the region’s new publicly-owned trains.
The new station plans include step-free access throughout the station, a bus interchange, cycle storage, links to active travel networks, passenger waiting facilities and toilet and approximately 300 park and ride spaces.
The full scheme includes the extension of the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby station and will see Merseyrail services run into the new station. Northern services from Wigan and Manchester will also operate to and from the new three-platform station.
Headbolt Lane will be the first station to benefit from battery technology on the new trains for the Merseyrail network, removing the need to extend the third rail beyond the existing Kirkby station.
Residents will have a chance to speak to members of the project team about the scheme at a public drop-in event next week. This will take place on Thursday 17 March from 4 - 7pm at Centre 63 on Old Hall Lane in Kirkby.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
