Major upgrades at Earlestown Rail Station are advancing to the design phase following the appointment of Merseyrail to deliver the next stage of works by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (acting as Delivery Partner for St Helens Borough Council).

The scheme is funded through the £20 million Earlestown Town Centre Levelling Up Fund Round 2 secured by St Helens Borough Council in 2023.

The station programme comprises three main packages: repairing and restoring the Grade II listed station building; landscaping to improve the station’s immediate surroundings; and general enhancements including CCTV and lighting.

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In parallel, and in line with Mayor Rotheram's commitment to make all stations accessible by 2030, the Combined Authority will begin outline and detailed design for new lifts on Platforms 1, 2, 4 and 5. These designs will deliver step-free access from pavements to platforms and will be developed alongside the wider works to ensure full compatibility.

Both projects complement the broader Earlestown town centre regeneration. The much-loved Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall is being brought back into use through full internal refurbishment and an extension now under way, while work has started to transform the historic Market Square with a permanent market canopy and wider public realm improvements.

Lisa Harris, Executive Director of Place St Helens Borough Council said: "Earlestown Station has one of the oldest railway passenger buildings in the world and this project will ensure we preserve this important heritage asset while providing modern, inclusive facilities fit for the future. Our ambition is to create a thriving, well connected town centre that honours our heritage and looks to the future with confidence so that residents, businesses and visitors can be proud and have access to opportunities locally and in the wider region."