Liverpool City Regions application for funding supports aims to achieve step-free stations across the city

The funding would see 10 more stations become step-free as part of the city’s bid to create the most accessible rail network in the UK

Liverpool’s Mayor, Steve Rotherham’s ‘Merseyrail for All’ pledge sets out to improve accessibility for the Liverpool City Regions railway stations enabling more people to travel by train.

With two-thirds of the rail network already providing step-free access, further improvements across the city would make travel both easier and safer for wheelchair users, those with mobility issues or travelling with children in pushchairs, luggage or bikes.

Plans are underway to upgrade the 21 stations awaiting step-free access and the Combined Authority has now nominated 10 which will be considered by the Department for Transport for funding from the next round of its Access for All scheme.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport and Air Quality Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:

‘We recognise that being able to independently travel across our rail network can have a huge impact on people’s everyday lives. Mayor Rotherham has made clear his ambition to make the city region network one of the most accessible in the UK and this application for additional funding will hopefully help us move a step closer to realising that aim.

‘Our long-term aim remains to make the whole network step-free and we will continue to develop plans for the remaining stations which will support any future applications as and when funding opportunities arise’.

The stations which have been nominated are as follows:

• Aigburth
• Bromborough
• Cressington
• Earlestown
• Hough Green
• Port Sunlight
• Rock Ferry
• Spital
• Wallasey Village
• Walton

Compiled in accordance with the Department for Transport Access for All requirements, the list considers elements such as distance to essential services like hospitals and large schools alongside station footfall details and census data.

Customers making their way through the city will already have seen the positives of both current and previous investments for the network including a new lift for Birkenhead Park as well as a number of projects which are set to complete soon.

Passengers travelling on Merseyrail will also be able to enjoy improved accessibility with new lifts for Hunts Cross, Hillside and St. Michael’s stations over the next few months.

Passengers travelling with Northern will also benefit from a new lift at Broad Green station during 2023 and plans for a second lift at Liverpool Central during 2023.

The city region’s cutting-edge trains which will are set to be phased into service later this year will also support the ongoing improvement of accessibility at stations with their innovative sliding step technology.