New Merseyrail Stations Promised by Liverpool City Region's Metro Mayor

Three new railway stations have been promised for the Liverpool city region's Merseyrail train network by metro mayor Steve Rotheram.
The stations in Wirral, St Helens and Halton are part of Mr Rotheram's bid to win a third term as mayor in May.

The Labour candidate said they would be built by 2030 if he gets re-elected.
Jade Marsden, the Conservative mayor candidate, said problems around existing battery powered trains needed to be addressed first.

Passengers on the network's Kirby line were hit by widespread delays following the introduction of a new £500m battery-powered fleet last year.

The problems led to Mr Rotheram offering refunds to passengers a "gesture of goodwill" for the "teething issues".

Mr Rotheram's latest plan is for stations at Woodchurch, Carr Mill and Daresbury.
If these plans come to fruition, and Mr Rotheram is re-elected in May, it would mean each area of the city region could see a new station under his tenure.
  

In the last six years two new stations have opened on the Merseyrail network. In 2018, Maghull North opened and last year the £80m Headbolt Lane station welcomed passengers for the first time in Kirkby.
Labour Mayor Mr Rotheram said any "modern, thriving region" is only as good as its public transport.
"Since I've been mayor, I've worked around the clock to give our region what Londoners get to enjoy every day: a reliable, accessible, affordable and integrated network that helps rather than hinders people getting about," he said.

"But I know that in some parts of our region, Liverpool can feel as distant and inaccessible as London. I'm working to put that right, bringing local people closer to each other and to the opportunities we're creating.
"My record is in stark contrast to the Conservatives in government. While they've stripped back investment in decent rail infrastructure, such as HS2, I've opened two new stations already - with one more under construction and three more about to join them."

Also on Mr Rotheram's agenda is completing a Liverpool Baltic station by 2027, improving Moorfields station and increased services at weekends and evenings.

Jade Marsden, who will stand against Mr Rotheram in the Liverpool City Region mayoral election on 2 May, said while Mr Rotheram's pledge would be "great news for the city region" problems on the Merseyrail network, such as issues with new battery powered trains, needed to be addressed first.

"Mr Rotheram needs to confirm or deny the trains are powerful enough to keep moving," she said.
"Whether the new battery powered trains are fit for purpose needs to be addressed before opening new stations."