Eight-week closure at Lime Street for station upgrade

Liverpool Lime Street station has closed for more than eight weeks from June 2, in the penultimate stage of its long-running remodelling.

The scheme will create one additional platform and increase train capacity by an additional three trains per hour. Platforms will be wider and straighter to improve capacity, and the new platform layout is expected to improve flexibility at the station.

The station will be almost completely closed from June 2 to July 30. As part of the remodelling works, track is being renewed - including 21 new point ends, as well as overhead line electrification equipment and signalling, which is being transferred to Manchester Rail Operating Centre.

The first part of Stage 5A in the project involves installation of new track and points, and installation of all station throat and platform tracks.

Phase 5B will entail the remodelling of Liverpool Lime Street Up and Down Fast and slow lines with associated overhead line equipment changes, followed by installation of all remaining new signalling and telecommunications equipment.

 In Phase 5C, installation of Slow Lines points 307 and 308A will take place, with existing points 94A/B recovered, completion of the associated electrification and ‘wheels free’ testing.

During this phase of the project, Platforms 1 and 2 will remain open for much of the blockade. However, a further 12-week possession from July 30 to October 22 will feature Platforms 1 and 2 being taken out of use for work to be completed on them. Final civil engineering on the platforms will also be completed, and redundant assets recovered.

Most trains will start or terminate at Liverpool South Parkway, Newton-le-Willows or Manchester Victoria. But between June 11 and July 13, trains from Blackpool North, Manchester Oxford Road/Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Preston, Wigan North Western and Huyton will operate into the station.