The new station opened on Thursday, just one day after the Government decided to scrap HS2. It is fully accessible and will be the first served by Merseyrail’s publicly owned battery powered trains.
Commuter Karina Graham spoke to the ECHO about her new-found confidence in travelling by train. She said: “It’s good for the area.”.
Location
Kirkby Merseyside Station is a National Rail managed station with its own ticket office serving two platforms. A full range of public transport services operate from the station with a bus interchange providing access to nearby Skelmersdale and also linking to active travel networks across the region.
The station is located 7.5 miles north-east of Liverpool Central on the Northern Line. The station is served by two trains an hour in each direction between Headbolt Lane and Liverpool Central.
In addition to the station buildings, there are a number of shelters on both sides of the split platform along with digital display screens and timetable poster boards. Step-free access is available via ramps and the station has a 174 space car park with secure cycle parking for 20 cycles.
The new PS80m station at Headbolt Lane will welcome passengers for the first time this Thursday with Merseytravel’s new publically owned electric trains, delivering an exciting new option for people travelling to and from the city centre as well as those heading further afield. It is a vital part of the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor’s plans to deliver an integrated public transport network making it quicker, cheaper and greener for people to get around. The first trains will run every 30 minutes to and from Liverpool Central, increasing to four per hour in the future.
History
Kirkby Merseyside Station was first opened in 1848 as part of the Liverpool and Bury Railway, becoming a Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway station after the 1923 Grouping. In its early years, the route carried both fast expresses between Liverpool and Manchester and significant volumes of local traffic.
A serious accident occurred at the station on 27 June 1857 when a goods train passed a signal at danger protecting a stationary passenger train and overran it by 238 yd (218 m). The driver and guard of the goods train were found to be responsible for the incident, which caused considerable damage and injuries.
The modern station layout was built in 1977 and consists of two island platforms serving both Merseyrail and Northern Rail services. There are six flat-roofed timber shelters on the platform faces and an island concourse, which was renovated in 2021.
As part of Knowsley being the City Region’s Borough of Culture in 2022, a series of illuminated after-dark art events have taken place around Kirkby including the switching on of Aqualux, an 8 metre x 3 metre light installation which uses 48 water containers and is augmented by music from Spark illuminated drummers. Biodiversity improvements are also taking place at six locations around Kirkby including Mercer’s Dell, Mill Dam Park, Northwood Forest Hills, Millwood Park Millennium Green, Eddie McArdle Playing Fields and Saxon Green Public Open Space.
Services
Kirkby Merseyside Station is a thriving transport hub, serving the area with regular train services. Whether you’re looking to commute to work or explore the local attractions, this station offers convenient and easy access to points of interest throughout the region.
Kirkby is a large town in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, located approximately 7.5 miles (12 km) north-east of Liverpool City Centre and on the northern line of Merseyrail. The arrival of the railway in Kirkby in the early 1900s had a significant impact on the town’s development, with both industrial and residential growth following soon after.
As of 2023, Kirkby serves as an interchange between Merseyrail and Northern trains via Headbolt Lane. However, the Wigan-bound platform is not used, and the section of track through the station has been singled to reduce maintenance costs, with a new platform being built at Headbolt Lane.
Buses serve the station, connecting passengers with nearby destinations such as Fazakerley, Rice Lane, Kirkdale and Sandhills. Additionally, the 86A and 80A buses can be used to reach Liverpool John Lennon Airport with a journey time of just 10 minutes.
Traveling from Liverpool Central to Kirkby station is made simple with Rome2Rio, a door-to-door travel information and booking engine. With comprehensive schedules and fare information, Rome2Rio makes it easy to plan your trip from start to finish.
Parking
The new station was opened with limited car parking on Thursday 5 October. This is due to ongoing works on site to improve the northern pedestrian entrance from St Kevin’s residential estate, and a new southern pedestrian entrance from Tower Hill Park. This will provide a safe and seamless walk to and from the new station.
The station will be used by Merseyrail trains between Northolt Park and Liverpool Central, as well as Northern Rail services from Manchester Victoria via Wigan Wallgate. The line through the station is singled to reduce maintenance costs, and the Wigan-bound platform previously in use will be taken out of service.
Parking at busy train stations can be difficult and time consuming. But with JustPark, you can pre-book your parking space before you arrive. This guarantees you a space close to Kirkby (Merseyside) Station, eliminating the stress of searching for a spot once you’ve parked. Plus, you can enjoy a stress-free journey from start to finish without the worry of potential parking fines.
Find out more about transport options for your trip to Kirkby Merseyside Station by using Rome2Rio, our door-to-door travel guide. With just a few simple steps, you can discover all the best bus, train or coach routes to your destination, including times, transport maps and availability. You can also book your tickets online, making the journey from your home to Kirkby Merseyside Station as easy as possible.
