Liverpool plots SRF for Central Station
A team led by architect Hawkins Brown will develop a strategic regeneration framework to guide development around the city’s busiest transport gateway.
Working alongside Network Rail property division Platform4, Hawkins\Brown will lead a design team in shaping a long-term vision for the Central Station area.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is planning a shjake-up of rail services through Central, which LCC said would act as a catalyst for redevelopment.
The framework will be led by Liverpool City Council, working with Platform4 and Network Rail as a joint client, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and in collaboration with key partners, landowners and stakeholders.
Liverpool Central welcomes more than 14.8m passengers a year. The plan for the Central Station SRF is to outline how land is used, how public spaces are shaped, and how people and vehicles move through the area. It will also set out principles for future development and regeneration opportunities.
The 86-acre project has been chosen as a pilot project for the Government’s reformed Green Book appraisal process, aimed at unlocking a £5bn transformation of the station and surrounding area.
Set out as the fundamental design principle is to seamlessly integrate the station with Liverpool Lime Street and connect Merseyrail services with national rail services, in a similar way that London’s King’s Cross and St Pancras stations operate together as a transport hub.
LCR Mayor Steve Rotheram secured £95m from government in March to support plans to develop the business case for major regeneration projects, including Liverpool Central.
The combined authority is now liaising with the Department for Transport on the projects and is working with LCC and partners to submit a full place-based business case to government in the summer.
A programme of site analysis, engagement and technical work will now begin to inform the emerging vision.
The SRF will:
- Set out an ambitious long term vision for the Central Station area
- Establish planning and design principles to guide future high-quality development
- Identify opportunities to enhance public realm, connectivity and accessibility including for active travel
- Support and drive inclusive growth and investment in the city centre to create a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use neighbourhood with significant new homes
The work will consider how a welcoming gateway into Liverpool can be delivered, supporting economic activity while creating safer, greener and more legible streets and spaces.
The SRF will be developed over the coming months, with opportunities for engagement as the work progresses. Once completed, it will form an important material consideration in guiding future regeneration and development within the Central Station area.
Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy at Liverpool City Council, said: “The SRF is about shaping the places around the station – the streets, spaces and development opportunities – and ensuring they work together. It will provide clarity for communities, partners and investors as we plan for the long-term future of this part of the city centre.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Liverpool Central is one of the busiest and most important transport gateways in the country – and the area around it should match the ambition of the city it serves.
“This is a chance for us to think bigger about the future of one of the key front doors to Liverpool – creating a greener, safer and better connected gateway that works for residents, businesses and the millions of people who pass through it every year.
“Working with Liverpool City Council and partners, we can make sure this becomes more than a transport upgrade – but a catalyst for wider regeneration, investment and opportunity in the heart of the city.”
Katie Tonkinson, partner and head of studio North at Hawkins\Brown, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Liverpool City Council and partners to develop a creative, long-term vision for the city. We are truly excited to be embarking on this journey of discovery with stakeholders and local communities.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to seek transformational change at this original locus; to connect with people and initiatives across the city region, taking inspiration from around the world and raising world profile, whilst driving local aspiration and rooting our thinking in Liverpool.”
How can they get the most benefit from Central if they don’t re-use the tunnelling at the Edge Hill Spur, which then takes the burden off Lime St. Definitely in favour of this scheme in principle but ominous it’s described as a long term project.
As regards Network Rail Property when are they going to get tenants for the new units at Lime St. Station, the work seems to have come to a halt on the supermarket unit.
Meanwhile Mayor Steve needs to give us an update on the Baltic Station, plus where are the designs for the proposed stations at Carr Mill, Woodchurch, and Daresbury, and what’s happening at Broadgreen Station, nothing by the looks of it.
By Anonymous
The problem with Central is the horribly cramped layout of the platforms rather than the lack of Concert Square mk.2 round the back (if it ever happens).
It doesn’t sound like the entirely new station the Chuckle Brothers were promoting not long ago was ever a real thing, and what’s “seemless integration” between two stations not next to each beyond the existing one-way Wirral Line connection?
Hopefully any SRF includes eliminating the evening and weekend hellscape of the Ranelagh/Great Charlotte Street bars – with bonus on-pavement delivery bike dodging – possibly the worst front door to any city in the country.
By Dickie Lewis
Good luck to the Council, although given that there’s no sign of a start on site on the Baltic Station I wouldn’t hold your breath. Why are we so bad at delivering big infrastructure schemes?
By Anonymous
How can Rotherham be taken seriously when Baltic Station is still not on site.
By Anonymous
There was plans years ago for a 38 storey tower at Central Station which would have looked amazing. Typically plans were watered down which then saw 2 towers of 25 and 20 storeys which would have looked really good in this area. Sadly the development never materialised. I think a new shopping centre was included also within these plans.
It would be nice to see similar plans revitalised for this area. This area would be ideal for a few talls.
By Anonymous
All talk like usual in Liverpool it would be nice if construction actually started on these big developments rather than “Masterplans” and “Consultations” that result in nothing
By Ted
The comment re the Wrapping tunnel is correct. Merseytravel have studies on this and there are no technical issues with the tunnels. They need to be used with two additional platforms on the Northern Line. Freeing up space in Lime Street for long distance services that short sighted nit wits at DfT removed. A revamped shopping centre does Nothing. Come Steve think big I’m sure your mate at GM would have the money from government if it was over there.
By Frank
All great, but very surprised how poor the images are???
By Anonymous
They can’t even deliver a simple in-out sub-surface station, so this has no chance.
Just as well, since it’s a cheapskate abomination which closes off any prospect of Merseyrail taking over the City Line properly.
Rotheram’s administration is like a microcosm of national government – delivers nothing worth having, and leads with all the liquifying ambition of a beached jellyfish.
By John
Couldn’t agree more with anonymous 10.40. Reopening that tunnel so the Northern line Southport/Ormskirk/Headbolt Lane services could merge with the City Line through to Wigan/Victoria/Oxford Road is a complete no brainer and releases a mass of capacity at Lime Street. Why is no-one talking about this?
And whilst were at it, now the batteries seem to be working seamlessly on Kirkby -Headbolt Lane, isn’t it time we used that technology to extend Merseyrail beyond the city region boundaries? Ormskirk – Preston, Headbolt- Wigan Wallgate, Ellesmere Port – Helsby and the south Burscough curve for Ormskirk to Southport are all glaringly obvious. Transport needs don’t just stoep at local government boundaries
By Anonymous
Steve Rotheram is due to announce UKREiiF money for Hemisphere 1 and 2 but some joined up thinking would show him that by using the Wapping Tunnel it would enable him to provide a station for the University and Knowledge Quarter, both badly in need of convenient public transport.
By Anonymous
Nonsense. It’s all about a fancy glass canopy over the entrance.
By Cyrel
Another „vision that could and would” from a Mayor of CGI. Meanwhile Liverpool is de-developing rapidly with companies running away to Manchester, Brum and Leeds.
By Anonymous
Re Anonymous 1.18 – these are all excellent ideas to expand City Region connectivity. Unfortunately the CA have just signed up to a long term Local Transport Plan which ignores all of this in favour of more cycle lanes despite the consultation more in favour of your views.
By Frank
I am at a loss to explain why the new trains were purchased don’t fit in the existing platforms.
By Anonymous
86 acres!
Any links to a project plan?
Is there a map?
By Anonymous
What about the old buildings are you planning on knocking them down, haven’t you demolished enough of our history in town to put up ugly glass buildings, commie buildings make sure you keep our history as it’s not yours to demolish
By Anonymous
Get a link to Liverpool Airport from the city lets get growing like manchester
By Anonymous
No idea what SRF means
By Anonymous
It means strategic regeneration framework.
By Julia Hatmaker
If it turns out anything like the shambles that is queen square or the afterbirth that is psbs don’t expect the best.
By A. Davies
Before running Merseyrail lines to Preston how about developing unused lines here, such as the Outer Loop, Aintree to Widnes, which could benefit Sefton, Liverpool, Knowsley, and Halton all on a 12 mile stretch.
Steve could also look at more stations on the Wirral Line such as Moreton West, plus between Birkenhead Park and Conway Park.
By Anonymous
If the government has given Liverpool money to spend on rail infrastructure how about extending the rail lines from the white elephant of South Parkway to the airport it is embarrassing that visitors to our city have to get on a bus to South Parkway then catch a train and vice versa. I have seen people at both ends who are incredulous that in this day and age they need to change. Central Station has not long been refurbished and Baltic station if we’re honest is not really needed but rail connection to our airport is desperately needed
By rkidcd911x
It’s about time. Our city has been left to rot for a long time.
By Formby resident.
After more than 3 years since the ticket office was demolished at Broadgreen station, to enable lifts to installed, it remains untouched, with no sign of works beginning. How do you then go from that stalled status on a suburban station to a key gateway project like Central? https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/broad-green-station-revamp-on-track/
By Mr Stevie
People of merseyside will be all four improvements at Liverpool Central platform 4 is,exactly what is needed ie 4 platforms not the dangerous overcrowded at peak time single island platform
By Jim Davenprt
Totally agree with comments about the 2xdisused tunnels one exit was by wapping the other park lane they could form a loop with central / lime st / and along the stand pier head / airport take a look at the tram system in Nice fantastic and every 6 mins
By Jim Davenport
When there’s a smiley photo opp the Mayor is always available, but when people want to know what’s occurring with the Baltic Station ( 5 months late and no update) then
there’s Broadgreen Station, plus other proposed Merseyrail stations, the shutters come down and you hear nothing.
By Anonymous
@Julia Hatmaker. Re Police HQ site was PNW able to get an update on that at all?
By Anonymous
Still in the works and we’re hoping for a more substantial update in the next few months.
By Julia Hatmaker
There are so many things that can be done at less cost and the benefits for local people and reduce car’s and congestion in the lovely city of Liverpool.
There was and still is an opportunity for a train service from Central Station to Aintree on the old goods line from Bootle junction. This would be an extra service to all stations to New Strand then a new stations at Linacre Road, Hawthorn Road by Tesco, Bridle Road and into the back of Aintree. It only needs to be single track that is already there and half hour service. There’s a lot of people in the area and news housing being built.
An other line is the goods line from Bootle junction to Edge Hill and on to Lime Street. This area has no rail link to the City Centre and a large population through Walton,West Derby,Old Swan and Tuebrook. There’s already a twin track from Seaforth to Edge Hill so only stations needed.
These services would provide a vital link to reduce city centre traffic and help our population at a smaller cost.
By Tony, north Liverpool
Odd image and why no buildings? I’m sure there are tunnels all over but surely there are areas to build on rather than a big open space… unless I’m getting the wrong end of the stick?!
By Mike
We Everton fans like to see a new rail station closer to Hill Dickerson
50 ooo fans cannot be wrong
By Anonymous
More talk from the usual sources. Given that there’s no movement on the Baltic and other promised stations, the shambles at Sandhills etc. why should anyone have any confidence that a scheme of this scale will be delivered?
By Anonymous