Key Points
- Construction of four Merseyrail stations is under development at Liverpool Baltic, Carr Mill in St Helens, Daresbury in Halton and Woodchurch in Wirral.
- The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is set to review the progress made in their projects this Friday 6 November.
- The Liverpool Baltic Station project has reached an advanced stage; the Council is expected to sign off the Full Business Case and give the green light for construction to proceed.
- With the approval of the proposals, construction of the Liverpool Baltic Station may commence as early as 2027.
- Mayor Steve Rotheram has made a promise to kick off construction of the four stations by 2030.
- In terms of the improvement of existing stations, step-free access schemes have been developed for Aigburth and Rock Ferry while Port Sunlight and Walton are undergoing planning.
- Runcorn Station is set to go through major improvements which include better waiting rooms, ticket office, retail outlets and toilet facilities.
- A £26 million project is scheduled to improve signs, directions and real time travel information throughout the public transport system.
- The services of Merseyrail will pass into public hands by 2028.
Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 30, 2026 — Plans for four new railway stations across the Liverpool City Region have moved forward, with Mayor Steve Rotheram pressing ahead with a commitment to begin work on all four by 2030. The proposed stations are at Liverpool Baltic, Carr Mill in St Helens, Daresbury in Halton and Woodchurch on the Wirral.
As reported by RailAdvent, the latest progress on the projects is set to be considered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on Friday 6 November, alongside proposals for investment in existing stations across the network.
What Is Planned for Liverpool Baltic?
Liverpool Baltic is the most advanced of the four proposed stations. The Combined Authority will be asked to approve its Full Business Case and give approval for construction to begin.
The station would be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick, connecting the Baltic Triangle neighbourhood directly to the Merseyrail network. If the necessary approvals are granted, construction is expected to begin in 2027.
As reported by Place North West, the Liverpool Baltic project’s estimated cost has risen to £160 million, £64 million more than the £96.4 million approved in 2024. The outlet reported that the Authority will vote next week on increasing funding for the project by 66 per cent.
Place North West also reported that planning permission for Liverpool Baltic Station was secured in April 2025 and that the station is due to sit on the North Line, on the former St James Station site.
How Are the Other Three Stations Progressing?
In Halton, work is under way to explore a new station at Daresbury. Feasibility studies and an initial business case have been commissioned, with findings expected in early 2027 to help shape the next stages of the project.
At Carr Mill in St Helens, initial plans and designs have been completed. Further development work is planned alongside Network Rail, Northern and St Helens Council.
On the Wirral, early development work for a proposed station at Woodchurch is progressing. Findings are expected in early 2027.
As reported by Insider Media, the four stations are intended to bring new rail connections to communities across Liverpool, St Helens, Halton and Wirral, helping more residents reach jobs, education and opportunities across the city region.
What Improvements Are Planned for Existing Stations?
Alongside the new stations, the Combined Authority is investing in improvements to the existing rail network. Work is under way to improve step-free access at Aigburth and Rock Ferry, while further accessibility schemes are being developed at Port Sunlight and Walton.
As reported by Insider Media, the improvements form part of the Mayor’s ambition to make every local railway station fully accessible, so that people can travel independently and with confidence regardless of mobility needs.
Plans are also progressing for a major upgrade at Runcorn station. The proposed works include a modern ticket office, improved waiting facilities, retail space and passenger toilets.
Further improvements are being explored at Moorfields. In addition, a £26 million programme is planned to improve signs, directions and real-time travel information across the wider public transport network.
What Has Mayor Steve Rotheram Said?
Mayor Steve Rotheram said the projects form part of his “Merseyrail for All” ambition to extend the reach of the region’s rail network and connect more communities to jobs and education.
“When I became Mayor, it had been nearly 20 years since the last new Merseyrail station opened. Since then, we’ve opened two more – and now we’re making progress on another four,” Rotheram said, as reported by RailAdvent and Insider Media.
“I’ve always believed that where you live shouldn’t determine the opportunities available to you in life. But if you can’t get to a decent job, college or university because there’s no convenient rail connection, you’re already starting at a disadvantage. I don’t think that’s right,” he said.
Rotheram added: “That’s the thinking behind Merseyrail for All. I want to bring the benefits of our fantastic Merseyrail network to more people and places, including communities that have been cut off from those opportunities for too long. And it’s why I made a manifesto commitment to begin work on four new stations by 2030.”
He also referenced wider transport investment: “We’ve already invested more than £500m in new publicly owned trains, and in 2028 we’re taking Merseyrail itself into public ownership. Alongside bringing our buses back under local control, it’s all part of building a transport network that works for passengers, not the other way around.”
“These new stations represent so much more than dots on a map. They’re new connections to jobs, investment and opportunities for communities right across our region. And if we’re serious about delivering good growth in every postcode, we’ve got to make sure nobody gets left behind because of where they live,” Rotheram said.
What Happens Next?
The Combined Authority will consider the Liverpool Baltic Full Business Case at its meeting on Friday 6 November. If approved, the project would move into the construction phase, with work expected to begin in 2027.
For Daresbury and Woodchurch, findings from early development work and feasibility studies are expected in early 2027. At Carr Mill, further work will continue with Network Rail, Northern and St Helens Council.
The wider programme also includes investment in existing stations and a planned £26 million wayfinding and real-time information programme across public transport.
Background of the Development
The proposals build on earlier additions to the Merseyrail network, including new stations at Headbolt Lane and Maghull North. The Combined Authority has also introduced a £500 million fleet of publicly owned Merseyrail trains.
As reported by The Guide Liverpool, the Combined Authority has invested more than £500 million in a new fleet of publicly owned trains since Mayor Rotheram was first elected, delivered new stations at Maghull North and Headbolt Lane, and is progressing plans for four further stations across the Merseyrail network.
The developments come as the Combined Authority prepares to bring Merseyrail services into public ownership in 2028, when the current operating contract ends. Insider Media reported that the move is intended to give the city region greater control over train operations and help join up rail with publicly controlled buses, ferries and future rapid transit connections.
Prediction: What It Means for Residents and Businesses
For residents, the proposed stations could reduce reliance on cars and make it easier to reach employment, education and public services, particularly in communities currently without a convenient rail connection. The Mayor has framed the programme as a way to broaden access to opportunity across Liverpool, St Helens, Halton and Wirral.
For businesses, Liverpool Baltic could improve access to the Baltic Triangle, while stations at Carr Mill, Daresbury and Woodchurch may support local development if the schemes proceed. The Authority has linked the investment to its wider aim of supporting “good growth in every postcode”.
For passengers with mobility needs, the planned step-free improvements at Aigburth, Rock Ferry, Port Sunlight and Walton could make journeys more practical and independent. The Runcorn upgrade and wider wayfinding programme may also improve the experience of changing between services.
The immediate effect will depend on approvals, funding and delivery timetables. The next formal decision point is the Combined Authority meeting on 6 November, when members will consider the Liverpool Baltic business case and the wider station programme.
