In June 2020, we were appointed to design and build a new £80m station in Kirkby, Merseyside, improving regional connectivity across multiple modes of transport.
The UK's
first
battery powered rail services
We provided employment opportunities to
117
local residents
Over
260
pieces of art created by students at local primary schools for the local site hoardings
The first expansion to the Merseyrail network in 29 years
Plans for a new station had been long desired locally and a key part of Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram’s plans to deliver a London-style integrated transport system for the city region.
Knowsley Council had also indicated a need for improved transport access for residents whilst supporting both workers and visitors to one of Europe’s largest employment sites – Knowsley Business Park.
In the first expansion to the Merseyrail network in 29 years, a 1-mile extension from the existing Kirkby station to a new station off Headbolt Lane was planned, which would then form the interchange station between Merseyrail services and Northern rail services, as well as other local transport.
Our work was not limited to the extension alone with its brand-new accessible station, but it involved developing surrounding infrastructure too with a bus interchange, cycle routes, and 300-space car park.
The project showcased a number of our capabilities including major earthworks, bridge reconstructions, track installation including S&C, and complex rail system interventions including signalling, WestCad and SSI, to allow brand-new Class 777 trains to operate on the line – hailing in the UK’s first ever battery powered rail services.
The use of battery train technology avoids the capital costs for installing 3rd rail infrastructure on the extension and the ongoing expense to maintain it, whilst also removing a significant hazard from the railway as well as, improving air quality and noise pollution for lineside residents.
Local impact was at the heart of the the build with a total over £500,000 spent with the local Knowsley supply chain, and an additional £19m investment with supply chain partners in the Liverpool City Region.
With our subcontractors, we provided employment opportunities to 117 local residents, embraced a circular economy ethos through donations of redundant track and decommissioned trains to Merseyside Fire and Rescue services for emergency training, and volunteered time and fundraising to a long-term partnership with the Knowsley Eco-Therapy Garden. We also offered improvements and resource to the Tower Hill Boxing Club and engaged local primary school students to create over 260 pieces of art for the local site hoardings.
Up to 20,000 people in the surrounding areas now benefit from the hub which opened in October 2023, as the station begins to blend into the background of everyday life and journeys in the region.
