Liverpool Baltic station opening pushed back to 2029 amid rail capacity pressures

The opening of Liverpool’s planned £100m Baltic station has been pushed back by two years, with the Liverpool City Region mayor confirming the project is now expected to be completed in 2029 rather than 2027.

The station, intended to serve the Baltic Triangle area, has been delayed because Network Rail is currently unable to undertake the necessary work on the Northern Line, according to Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. He said the organisation is dealing with competing national priorities, including Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade.

Rotheram said the combined authority was unwilling to wait indefinitely while the project sat behind other schemes in the queue.

As a result, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is now exploring alternative options, including the use of other suitably qualified contractors. Rotheram explained that the work required is highly specialised and can only be carried out by licensed developers permitted to operate on a live railway.

He also pointed to the technical challenges of redeveloping the site, which incorporates surviving Victorian-era infrastructure from the former Liverpool St James station. While historically passengers relied on stair access, modern standards require significantly more space to accommodate accessibility features.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

"I'm not going to be last in a list for them. Of course 100 years ago, 50 years ago, people used to have to use the stairs. We want a fully accessible network."

Plans for Liverpool Baltic station include step-free access from street level to trains, alongside modern passenger facilities, toilets and secure cycle storage. Despite the delay, Rotheram said the combined authority remained committed to delivering the station and was continuing its search for a contractor, with completion still targeted for 2029.

Network Rail said it remained supportive of the scheme and would continue working with local partners.

A Network Rail spokesperson said:

"We work closely with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and all of our partners in the region. The Liverpool Baltic station is an exciting project and we'll be pleased to support its development."

Image: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority