A new £100m Merseyrail station for the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool is on track to open in 2027 as city councillors give the project the green light. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s fast-growing Baltic Triangle will have its own Merseyrail station by 2027 after councillors offered unanimous approval on Tuesday despite more than 100 objections.
Councillors on the city’s planning committee accepted the recommendation from planning officers that the project be approved. The station will serve the fast-growing Baltic district and the city’s Knowledge Quarter.
One of the objectors was Ashwell Motors which claims it will result in the loss of 25-30 parking spaces and could threaten its business. Officers recommend allocating the business 20 parking spaces. That matter is still to be decided.
In November 2024 Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the project which would see a new station opening on the Hunts Cross line by 2027.
Plans for the station include step-free access from pavement to train, modern facilities, toilets and secure storage for cycling.
Work is set to begin on highways improvements at Liverpool Baltic station later this year before construction of the station begins in early 2026. The target date for the opening of the station is the end of 2027.
Steve Rotheram said: “Planning permission was another major milestone for the Liverpool Baltic station scheme and I’m delighted we are now passed that and ready to get work underway.
“This is another step in our vision to build a fully integrated London-style transport system. We’re extending Merseyrail to more communities with future stations already planned in Daresbury, Woodchurch and Carr Mill. I believe good quality public transport is a right, not a privilege.
“For decades there were no new stations built on our network, so this is another major milestone in the development of the expansion of rail services in our region.
“It’s not just about improving connectivity – it’s about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool city region.
“Investing almost £100m at the heart of one of the UK’s most vibrant areas, will help to make this part of the city more accessible to all while easing congestion and helping us achieve our net zero targets.”
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As part of the scheme, highways works will connect the station to surrounding areas and integrate with the city’s expanding active travel network.
In their report planning officers said: “The proposal would deliver a well-designed, high-quality and highly accessible and sustainable new train station with associated public realm and highway improvement works.”
They add that it would “significantly contribute to the regeneration of the Baltic Triangle and surrounding areas by hugely improving public transport connectivity with the rest of the city and the wider Liverpool city region”.