Following a public vote a new name has been chosen for the new Merseyrail station that will serve the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Baltic will be the name of the new Merseyrail station planned for the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool following a public vote.
Voting was open for four weeks and more than 1,000 comments were received in the first 24 hours. Liverpool Baltic was the clear winner with 77.7% of the vote, with Liverpool Parliament Street in second on 15.2% and Liverpool Riverside third on 7.1%.
Although planned to be located at the site of the former St James station, which closed in 1917, a decision was taken to change the station name to avoid any confusion with the existing James Street station in Liverpool city centre.
The shortlist was produced after initial discussions between the main partners on the scheme – Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Network Rail, Merseyrail and Liverpool City Council.
READ MORE: Work starts on £80m Merseyrail station
READ MORE: End of an era as Lawler is set to leave Baltic
The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church. It closed in 1917 as a cost-cutting measure during the First World War and was never re-opened.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has pledged to build a station on the site, which will be located in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle district, one of the fastest growing areas of the city – home to tech businesses and new residential developments as well as many popular bars, clubs and restaurants.
Giving commuters and leisure visitors to the area a direct connection to the Merseyrail network would support the reduction of car journeys to the area, contributing towards reducing traffic congestion, as well as aspirations to improve air quality across the city region.
The station would be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick Station on the Northern Line and will include passenger toilets, a cycle hub, step-free access to and between both platforms and a passenger drop-off area outside.
The scheme is currently in the design development stage. Land has already been purchased to safeguard the site of the new station ticket office building. The current plans aim for the station to be open in 2025, subject to funding being secured for the construction stage.
Mr Rotheram said: “The Baltic Triangle has undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place to live, work and socialise.
“The station’s name is a testament to that success – and will unlock a host of new opportunities for the people and businesses based there, boost footfall, and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region.
Andy Heath, managing director of Merseyrail, added: “It’s fitting that this vibrant and forward-looking part of the City Region has a station name that reflects the transformation it has gone through in recent years.”