Excitement is building in Liverpool as plans for the brand new £100 million Liverpool Baltic station have been given the go-ahead. The decision, announced yesterday by Liverpool City Council (Tuesday 22 April), paves the way for train services to soon serve one of the city’s most dynamic and internationally recognised districts – the Baltic Triangle.
The ambitious project is a key component of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s vision to overhaul and improve the public transport network across the Liverpool City Region. It complements a raft of ongoing rail initiatives, including a £500m investment in a new fleet of trains, accessibility upgrades across the existing network, and future plans for three additional stations in Daresbury (Halton), Woodchurch (Wirral), and Carr Mill (St Helens).
Beyond rail, significant progress is also being made on other public transport fronts, with a new Mersey Ferry, the redevelopment of St Helens Interchange, the implementation of bus franchising, and the development of bus rapid transit routes all underway.
Preparatory work on highways improvements around the Liverpool Baltic station site is scheduled to commence later this year, with the main construction of the station expected to begin in early 2026. The target for the station’s grand opening is set for the end of 2027.
The successful granting of planning permission follows a period of strong public support demonstrated during a consultation held last summer. The station, which will be located on Merseyrail’s Northern Line, will serve a district that was lauded as the 11th coolest neighbourhood globally by Time Out magazine in 2023.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, expressed his delight, stating: “Planning permission was another major milestone for the Liverpool Baltic station scheme and I’m delighted we are now passed that and ready to get work underway!
“This is another step in our vision to build a fully integrated London-style transport system. We’re extending Merseyrail to more communities with future stations already planned in Daresbury, Woodchurch and Carr Mill. I believe good quality public transport is a right, not a privilege.
“For decades there were no new stations built on our network, so this is another major milestone in the development of the expansion of rail services in our region. It’s not just about improving connectivity – it’s about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool City Region.
“Investing almost £100 million at the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant areas, will help to make this part of the city more accessible to all while easing congestion and helping us achieve our net-zero targets.”
With the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority setting an ambitious target to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2035, the new Liverpool Baltic station is expected to play a crucial role in encouraging a shift away from private car use towards more sustainable travel options, including public transport and active travel. It is also anticipated to further boost the popularity and accessibility of this thriving area.
Passengers can look forward to a modern, accessible station with step-free access from street to train, contemporary facilities including toilets, and secure cycle storage. The station, named following a public vote, will also seamlessly connect with the city’s expanding network of active travel routes.
To complement the new station, improvements will also be made to the surrounding highways and active travel links, alongside enhancements to the public realm.
This development builds on the successful opening of the £80m Headbolt Lane station in Kirkby in October 2023. That station is served by innovative battery-powered trains, marking the first extension to the Merseyrail network in a generation, with further expansion on the horizon.
The Liverpool Baltic station project is being funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a dedicated fund for major transport projects across the city region.
For further details about the Liverpool Baltic station scheme, please visit: liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/liverpoolbaltic
