Headbolt Lane Station, Kirkby

Headbolt Lane Station, Kirkby

Headbolt Lane Station Frequently Asked Questions

In December 2021, Knowsley Council granted planning permission for a new £80 million Railway Station development for Kirkby.

Site preparation work started in January 2022, and the opening of the Station is scheduled for 2023.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (led by the Metro Mayor) is delivering this £80m project, in partnership with Knowsley Council, Network Rail, Merseyrail, and Northern Rail.  Funding for the scheme has been provided through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

What is the new station for?

The new station will extend the Merseyrail network, which currently terminates at Kirkby, to a new location off Headbolt Lane.  This will improve transport links for the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of Kirkby as well as for Knowsley Business Park.

Northern Rail services from Manchester and Wigan will operate to and from the new three-platform station, which is also designed to support any future plans to build a new rail link to Skelmersdale.

What do the plans include?

  • A new station building, incorporating a ticket office, a booking hall, and passenger toilets
  • A new double-track railway bridge over County Road
  • Step-free pedestrian access throughout the station
  • Cycle parking and approximately 300 car parking spaces
  • A new station access road from Headbolt Lane, including a bridge over Kirkby Brook
  • Landscaped frontage to the station
  • An extensive CCTV security system
  • A bus interchange and links to local cycling and walking networks
  • Closure and infill of the subway which runs under Headbolt Lane
  • Green space improvements to the surrounding areas, which will be delivered by Knowsley Council

What are the benefits?

  • The new station will improve access to places of education, employment, and training for a wider number of Kirkby residents.
  • The new station can help to attract further investment in the area, particularly given its proximity to Knowsley Business Park.
  • The infill of an existing obsolete subway will help to address anti-social behaviour issues in the area.  Extensive CCTV and lighting will be in operation at the new station to ensure that it is safe and secure for users and local residents.
  • As part of the project, Knowsley Council will deliver improved greenspace and walking and cycle provision through the St Kevin’s open space to the south of the railway line and at Tower Hill Park to the north of the station.

When will works commence?

Hoardings were erected around the site on 10 January 2022, ready for work on the new station to commence.  Site preparation works have now commenced.

When will work take place?

Most of the construction work will be carried out on weekdays, between 7.00am and 6.00pm.  Network Rail are conscious of the need to minimise the impact on local residents of the noisy activities associated with building the new railway station and making the necessary changes to the nearby railway line- between Headbolt Lane and Kirkby Station.

To ensure the safety of construction workers and that the new station is completed on time, it will be necessary to undertake some work when trains are not running.  This will predominantly be on Saturday nights and during the daytime on Sundays.

Will the work be noisy?

It is inevitable that some of the work will be noisy, although Network Rail will take all reasonable measures available to minimise potential disturbance.

Various specialist pieces of plant and machinery will be used over the course of the project, including cranes, piling rigs, excavators, dumpers, and road rail track machines.  Staff and contractors will be aware of their responsibility to keep any noise to a minimum.

Will there be road closures?

Some road closures will be necessary for specific periods over the course of the works, including those associated with the bridge works.  Residents will be informed in advance.  Road closures will be planned to keep disruption to a minimum.

How will residents be kept informed about the works?

Network Rail will communicate with residents to update them on the works.  Updates about the station’s progress will also appear on Knowsley News and on Knowsley Council’s social media channels.

Who can I contact for more detail about the work taking place?

You can contact Network Rail’s 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

You can find more details about the project here.