Station upgrade funding approved

Huyton Station is to undergo a £880,000 refurbishment funded by Merseytravel and the National Stations Improvement Programme.

Work will start on site in early 2010 on a new canopy on the Liverpool-bound platform, a new waiting shelter on the Wigan-bound platform and a new disability compliant toilet.

Improvements will also include modernisation of the outdated subway, better lighting, CCTV and new seating areas.

The scheme is one of seven on the Merseyrail Network to receive funding through the NSIP. Other stations benefitting are Liverpool Central, Hall Road, Hooton, Meols, Rock Ferry and Waterloo. The National Stations Improvement Programme is a joint industry initiative funded primarily by the Department for Transport. It was introduced in 2007 as part of the Rail White Paper.

Earlier this year, Ormskirk station was the first station in the country to benefit from NSIP with an investment of £500,000, plus £200,000 from Merseytravel, as part of an overall £1.6m refurbishment programme.