Liverpool Lime Street project completed on time

15th October 2018

Work on the £140m project to transform Liverpool Lime Street has been completed on time with the full reopening of all platforms at the historic terminus.

The upgrade was part of the Great North Rail Project - a joint effort by various elements of the rail industry that are aiming to transform train travel for customers all over the North.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was on hand to oversee the new look station from an elevated vantage point when he joined rail industry partners on the station roof.

The reopening also coincides with the all new #StationsDay, a new event designed to celebrate the multi-billion pound investment to regenerate Britain’s rail stations and is part of a long term industry effort to change and improve.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP, said: “When Concourse House was demolished it opened up Lime Street’s Grade II façade to the city again, and made it a much more fitting neighbour for the magnificent St George’s Hall and the other historic buildings of Liverpool’s World Heritage site.

“Now these improvements mean the interior of the station matches the exterior. Work on the platforms, tracks and signalling equipment of the station will deliver longer trains, more reliable services, more seats and faster journeys.

“Working closely with Network Rail and train operators, they will ensure people see significant benefits from the £1bn Great North Rail Project. They are part of the government’s determination to put better journeys for passengers at the heart of everything we do. “

Martin Frobisher, managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “Liverpool Lime Street’s £140m Great North Rail Project transformation is fully complete.

“This major upgrade is essential to ensure this flagship station can cater for the forecast growth in peak-time travellers over the coming decades.

“This is part of our commitment to support future economic growth across the north of England. More, longer, better-managed platforms together with the station’s brand-new, state-of-the-art signalling system will enable us to run longer trains, with more space and more seats more reliably.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to passengers for their patience while we delivered Lime Street’s biggest upgrade since the 19th century.”

Robert Nisbet, regional director of the Rail Delivery Group which represents the rail industry, said: “Today we celebrate the opening of Liverpool Lime Street which is one of hundreds of stations being improved over the next couple of years. These places are the beating hearts of our railways and the communities they serve.

“As part of our long-term plan, the rail industry is working together to deliver unprecedented improvements to make stations like Liverpool Lime Street better and secure economic growth by ensuring more and longer services can run in future.”

Chris Nutton, major projects director at TransPennine Express, said: “The completion of the upgrade at Liverpool Lime Street is truly excellent news for customers and will allow for longer trains with extra carriages and more seats.

“Over the next twelve months, we will introduce our brand new Nova fleets and customers in the North West will soon be travelling on some of the newest trains in the country.”

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Lime Street station is a vital cog in our transport network and this major upgrade is important not just for individual passengers but for the economy of the whole city region.

“There is clearly much more to be done to improve our transport infrastructure across the North as a whole but this is a very welcome first step.”

Author: Darren Porter
Image: Network Rail