Plans to develop a new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby have been given the go-ahead.

The plans were approved by Knowsley Council.

Work will begin at the site in January 2022, with the opening of the station planned for Spring 2023.

The £80 million scheme is being delivered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in partnership with Knowsley Council, Network Rail, Merseyrail and Northern. Funding for the scheme has come from the Transforming Cities Fund.

The new station plans include:

• Step-free access throughout the station

• A bus interchange

• Cycle parking

• Links to local cycling and walking networks

• Passenger waiting facilities and toilets

• Approximately 300 park and ride spaces

The full scheme includes the extension of the Merseyrail network beyond the existing Kirkby station and will see Merseyrail services run into the new station. Northern services from Wigan and Manchester will also operate to and from the new three-platform station.

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It will be the first station to benefit from battery technology on the new trains for the Merseyrail network, removing the need to extend the third rail beyond the existing Kirkby station.

The scheme is also designed to support future plans to build a new rail link to Skelmersdale, on which the Combined Authority is working closely with Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Network Rail on these future proposals.

The new station is a key part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s plans to deliver a London-style integrated transport system for the City Region, which aims to bring together bus, rail, ferry and active travel in one simple, affordable and easy to use transport network.

It is also aligned to Knowsley Council's plans to improve transport access in the area for residents whilst also supporting workers and visitors to one of Europe’s largest employment sites – Knowsley Business Park.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Coming from Kirkby, I’m always proud to see the work we are doing to help get the area back on the up again. From the tens of millions that we and Knowsley Council have invested in the Townie, to the construction of this new station, it’s a great example of how we're making a real difference because of devolution – and the ability it gives us to make more decisions locally.

"It's fantastic news that the scheme to build a new station at Headbolt Lane has been granted planning permission. I can’t wait for work to get underway or to see the first passengers boarding trains there in 2023.

"This is just one step on the journey towards delivering my ambition for a London-style transport system that will make getting around our region quick, cheap and reliable wherever you live."