LFC: New £5m train station could be ready in time for ground opening

Jul 26 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

A NEW train station needed to allow Liverpool FC to have an expanded 76,000-seater stadium can be ready by the time the ground opens in 2010.

Neil Scales, chief executive of Mersey-travel, last night revealed it would cost between £4m and £5m for a new passenger station to be built on the Bootle Line, which is used for freight.

Three sites are being considered for the station, which will be a replica of Aintree station, designed to deal with large crowds to the Grand National racecourse.

Economist Peter Stoney predicted an additional 15,000 fans travelling to the 60,000-seater stadium would bring in £8m extra into the economy each year and double if the stadium expanded to 76,000 seats.

Earlier this month the Daily Post revealed Liverpool would need a new train station if the capacity was to increase to 76,000.

A transport and environmental analysis will need to be carried out before a second application is made.

The Bootle line is a four-mile stretch between Edge Hill and Canada Dock. It closed to passengers in 1977 when the Merseyrail loop line opened.

Mr Scales said: “We have got three potential sites within walking distance of the ground. On the station front we would use the same design as Aintree so it can deal with spikes in crowds (1,000 people arriving in one go).

“The station would cost between £4m and £5m, and we think it’s do-able by 2010.”

Signals will have to be upgraded which have to be done in co-operation with Network Rail.

Mr Scales said the authority was also working with the council on improvements like better pavements and pedestrian crossings.

A major regeneration package attached to the stadium means millions of pounds will also be spent on Stanley Park to make up for the loss of land.