Better rail services on the way? (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Better rail services on the way?

June 2, 2007 12:00 AM

Better rail services could be on track for Liverpool thanks to a campaign by the Liberal Democrats

Ever since the Labour Government said no to bringing trams back to Liverpool, the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool have been pressing Merseytravel to look at expanding Merseyrail by using abandoned railway tunnels.

When the Merseyrail Northern Line was built in the 1970's, preliminary work was carried out to connect the line to the Wapping Tunnel, south of Liverpool Central station. And in 1975 an act of parliament was passed to allow the construction of this scheme, it was never built due to opposition from local Conservative politicians.

Now, following a long campaign by Lib Dem representatives the Passenger Transport Authority is looking at the possibility of restarting the scheme.

A report due to go to the Transport Authority's Rail Committee on the 6th of June highlights how reopening the Wapping tunnel (which ran from the Kings Dock to Edge Hill) or the Waterloo tunnel, which connected Waterloo Dock to Edge Hill) could help prevent City Centre congestion.

If the scheme gets the go ahead, areas such as Edge Hill, Wavertree, Mossley Hill and Broadgreen could benefit from fast and frequent trains direct to Central and Moorfields underground stations. The scheme could also benefit areas such as St Helens and Warrington.

"The plan is still at an early stage, but the Liberal Democrats will carry on fighting to make this scheme happen," said Andrew Makinson

"The Labour Government did promise we could have the £170 million they had pledged for Merseytram, if we could come up with a better plan. Well now we have one, so it is time for them to put their money where their mouth is!"