Moves to build a second train station in Maghull have taken another step as councillors met with residents to launch the consultation phase of the plans.
The long proposed station, which would be named ‘Maghull North’, initially had plans scrapped in December 2010 due to government cuts.
However, in June 2014 provisions to build new houses in the area brought with it the inclusion of the station.
Park Ward Labour councillor John Sayers told JMU Journalism: “I think the first reason is because of the already massive use of the existing station. Obviously it was built when the railways were first introduced, so it’s not the best situated.
“It’s not in the heart of where a lot of people live. Whereas the new station should be a lot more accessible for people who live in Lydiate and obviously some of the new housing that’s being built.”
Merseytravel has indicated in plans that the station would sit on School Lane, and also feature a 200-space car park for commuters. Whilst currently in the public consultation stage, work is expected to begin on the new station in January 2017. Trains will run to the station by December of that year.
Sayers continued: “I think most people, the vast majority of people, welcome a second station. There’s obviously some misgivings, which hopefully we’ll be able to address in the planning stage, from people who live locally.
“Some people live backing onto the line, so obviously they have concerns about that. Hopefully, we’ll be able to ameliorate that with proper fencing and screening.”
Though provisional plans situate the potential second station just over one mile away from the current one, Sayers believes the demographics and economics are strong for the station.
More than £6 million of funding for the scheme is coming from a government contribution via the Local Growth Fund, with smaller additions also coming from Merseytravel and the Housing and Communities Agency.