On NR’s apparent change of heart, Cllr Dowd said: “People have had a word with [Network Rail]. They have listened to what we’ve said and they have decided that this is a goer.

“Only weeks ago, nothing was going to happen, and now we’re in a position where something will happen.

“We’re looking at the plans as we speak and we want to kick off as soon as we can.”

The NR strategy is threefold. It wants to start an immediate programme to expand capacity by 30% by improving “passenger management”.

That will include running longer trains, changing where they stop and moving information screens so passengers spread along the concourse.

Then, from 2015, NR wants to spend a further £10m to £15m freeing up more space inside.

It is considering moving escalators, installing a new lift, and constructing a roof that will not need supporting columns.

But, if passenger numbers keep growing, by 2020 the station could again be dangerously overcrowded. If that happens, the only possible solutions are a new platform and tunnel, or building a new station entirely.

These two options will be the subject of intense debate between Merseyrail, Merseytravel, Network Rail and central Government over the coming months and years.

Cllr Dowd added: “You need to entice people on to the trains. We don’t want to put them off.

“If you see the way that the railway is developing now, who’s going to be coming into Liverpool by car?”

The RUS also commits to introducing a new fleet by 2014, which could be purpose-built. It will replace the current stock – some of which dates back to 1978. More six-car trains will also run at peak times.

An NR spokesman told the Daily Post: “What we can now do is use this strategy document when we go to the Office for Rail Regulation when we ask for new funding.

“It’s got to be a long term plan and design. But this is a lever for money to demonstrate how much we need the funding.”

Liverpool Central MP and chair of the MPs’ transport select committee Louise Ellman said: “We put the case to them that we want to increase capacity for more passengers, and I’m very pleased that they have listened.

“We need to follow it through to make sure that this happens.”