Some improved to Liverpool Metropolitan Area rail infrastructure have just been announced including two new railways stations.


Liverpool Lime Street October 2018Baltic Triangle station leads £173m transport investment
30 Aug 2019, 16:29
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is to invest nearly £173m in 18 transport and infrastructure schemes, including the creation of new train stations in the Baltic Triangle and at Headbolt Lane, along with major interventions in the region’s cycling network.
Large-scale investments at Lime Street station, a remodelling of Birkenhead Central, improved interchange options at Lea Green railway station, supporting Runcorn’s “Station Quarter” ambitions, and cycle routes from Wirral Waters to Birkenhead are all mooted as part of the £172.5m deal from the Transforming Cities Fund, due to be signed off by the Combined Authority at a meeting next week.
These schemes, which are to be delivered over a five-year period, have been subdivided into three themes.
Under the first theme of “improving and expanding the public transport network to meet new areas of demand” ten projects were put forward:
  • Transforming the space around Runcorn Station
  • Improving interchange options for Lea Green station
  • Providing infrastructure to deliver high capacity, quality, wireless connectivity for the new Merseyrail fleet
  • Developing on board battery technology for the new Merseyrail fleet
  • The extension of Merseyrail through to a new station at Headbolt Lane from Kirkby
  • The creation of an obstacle free and accessible route from the train station entrances to the platforms
  • A new station in the Baltic Triangle, South of Liverpool Central
  • A remodelling of Birkenhead Central and new road access from Hind Street to the station
  • Developing further Lime Street station capacity in light of HS2
The second theme, “improving the appeal of public transport, and particularly bus, against private transport”, had four proposed projects:
  • Developing green bus routes as part of a package of improvements on the A57, A562, B5178, A59 and A567 commuting corridors
  • Streamlining and enhancing the transport ticketing system to deliver simple multi-modal tickets for customers across the region
  • Accelerating the deployment of responsible bus services
  • Upgrades to the region’s UTC Traffic Systems network scheme
The third theme, “intervening for health and wellbeing”, also received four proposals.
  • Developing a first phase of a 600km cycle route across the region
  • Developing a second phase of a 600km cycle route in Wirral and Halton
  • Purchasing two low carbon ferries and related infrastructure
  • Creating a multi-user route from Wirral Waters to Birkenhead
The Liverpool City Region was granted the money to “support interlinking interventions which will transform sustainable transport connectivity in key commuter routes.”
The funding will be divided unevenly over the period; £10m is to be used between 2018 to 2019; £30m between 2019 to 2020; £40m between 2020 to 2021; £40m between 2021 to 2022; and a final £38.5m between 2022 and 2023.
The Combined Authority warned that the £172.5m fund will not be able to cover all 18 schemes, with other funding sources needed to bring forward all of the project.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “This ambitious £172.5m programme will help to drive economic growth that benefits everyone in our city region by dramatically improving sustainable transport across our city region.
“By making it easier for people to get around, and access jobs and opportunities, using public transport or by walking and cycling, we will boost prosperity, help our environment, and improve health and wellbeing.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, portfolio holder for transport and air quality, said: “These proposals mark one of the combined authority’s most significant investments yet in making our transport system more sustainable. By increasing our public transport network and making it more attractive, as well as making it easier for people to get around on foot or by bike, we are giving a green boost to our city region’s economy, that will benefit everyone who lives and works here.”
The schemes identified for potential funding will still have to be approved through the usual apprais
 
Contract awarded for second phase of Liverpool2 expansion
McLaughlin & Harvey has been awarded the contract to deliver the next phase of development at the Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal.

The multi-million project will significantly increase the footprint of the site and see the addition of ten cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes (CRMGs) and three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes.

The STS cranes are scheduled to arrive in November 2019 with the overall project scheduled for completion in 2021. Design and preparatory civil works have already begun.

There will be additional reefer points installed to allow the terminal to handle greater quantities of refrigerated containers at the Port of Liverpool.

Opened in November 2016, Liverpool2 is a £400m (US$500m) investment, providing a deep-water facility capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels.

It connects road, rail and canal networks linking to the heart of the UK mainland, accessing a catchment of over 35m people, almost 53% of the UK’s population.

Mark Whitworth, CEO of Peel Ports, said: “Since originally announcing our expansion plans we have gone on to secure some of the world’s major shipping lines as customers at the Port of Liverpool.

“That, and our growing customer base, is a vote of confidence in the North of England as a competitive route to international markets and Liverpool as a major port for global trade.”

View attachment 14671

Credit container mag
 
Liverpool is 'stand out' UK port region - and will be vital to economy after Brexit, report reveals
It is the UK's "stand out region", it's been revealed

0_PEEL-27.jpg
Liverpool's shipping heritage could become vital to the entire country's economy after Brexit, it's been revealed(Image: Peel Ports)
A new report has revealed Liverpool is the "stand out region" when it comes to the UK maritime economy - and will be crucial to the UK economy after Brexit.

Led by Mersey Maritime, the report showed the City Region could provide a "major boost" to the UK's economic prospects after leaving the EU - and that the region's sector drove around £2bn in domestic output through business turnover in 2017.


The report, commissioned in partnership with Maritime UK and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), also found the sector produced £650m in GVA and 7,899 jobs in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) in 2017.

That made it the UK’s "stand out region" compared with a national report published last month by Maritime UK.


In addition, the region outperformed the UK average GVA per employee - in 2017, LCR maritime productivity stood at £81,461, while the UK average sat at £54,330




Compared to 2010, LCR’s domestic output levels across the sector have grown by 118 per cent – approximately £1bn.

Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Mersey Maritime, said: “The national report showed the industry to be a massive contributor to the economic wellbeing of the UK and the findings of this new report have confirmed how significant the LCR contribution is within that.

"It’s even more remarkable considering that they exclude non-maritime logistics operations. These positive findings are a real vote of confidence in the dynamism and hard work of the people Mersey Maritime deal with on a day to day basis, our members."



EE is extending 5G coverage – this is where to get it

The new report, entitled The Economic Contribution of the Maritime Sector in the Liverpool City Region, also found that:

For every £1 generated by the maritime sector in the LCR, the wider economy benefits by £2.64
The maritime sector is growing in the LCR, with a growth forecast for 2019-2023 of 16 per cent cumulative
52,000 jobs across the region are related to the maritime supply chain, while 7,900 are direct jobs supported by the sector
Marine engineering and scientific industry grew the most (158 per cent between 2010 and 2017)
Liverpool City Region Business


The largest port operator in the LCR, Peel Ports said it has made significant investment across the region in recent years, including at the Port of Liverpool.

Mark Whitworth, CEO at Peel Ports, said: “The maritime sector is an enabler of trade, ensuring the supply of energy, food and commodities – the import and export of which is crucial for other UK businesses to thrive.

"As we look ahead to a post-Brexit trading future, Liverpool is not only strategically located for imports and exports, it has the relevant investment and infrastructure to make it the UK’s most important and valuable trade link with the rest of the world

Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “This report clearly shows the vital role the UK’s maritime sector plays in our daily lives – keeping things moving 24/7 and helping the economy thrive. LCR is a prime example, with the industry estimated to have driven almost 8,000 jobs and £2bn in 2017.


"To continue this success, we recognise the need to rise to the commercial challenges of our time - our landmark Maritime 2050 strategy, along with our strong partnerships with industry will help the sector continue to flourish.”

0_THR_011019peelports_02.jpg
Inside the Peel Ports Liverpool site


The report also said the footprint of the maritime sector in the LCR is "extensive and diverse", spread across areas of transport, infrastructure, training, business services and equipment manufacturing.

Within these sub-sectors are goods and services which are "highly exportable", it added giving renewed hope for the UK’s export potential in a post-Brexit trading landsca
The LCR report follows on from the national report produced by CEBR and Maritime UK - which showed that the maritime sector contributes £46.1bn to the UK economy – an £8.3bn increase since 2010.

Published on 11 September, the ‘State of the Maritime Nation’ report found that the maritime sector in the UK is bigger than both the automotive and aerospace industries in terms of its financial contribution and is central to the country’s national prosperity.

0_PEEL-13.jpg
Gary Hodgson, Managing Director of Port Logistics at Peel Ports Group, Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Mersey Maritime and Gareth Davies, Director General of International and Security at the Department for Transport


In September, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram announced a £75m fund to be used to attract new businesses to LCR and support existing Mersey businesses, many of which are directly involved in the maritime industry.

The fund will include a £20m loan fund for local businesses to invest in creating jobs and boosting productivity, and £15m to support SMEs in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Mayor Rotheram said: “We have always been a trading nation and the maritime sector is the backbone that still facilitates almost all of that trade, with 95% of what we import and export transported by sh


“Historically, we are one of the great world ports, and the LCR’s maritime sector is booming, with growth of 118% since 2010, directly driving £2 billion in domestic output.

“As we look towards the future, we need to ensure that we maximise the economic opportunities presented by one of our most valuable assets - our westward facing Atlantic port."

View attachment 14926


( Exert from Businesslive)
 
Last edited:
Yesterday Mrs SD and myself ventured over to Liverpool to see the River of Light display.

Unfortunately 3 of the displays were not working and I seem to be having a problem loading a couple of videos due to file size(any suggestions), so I'm afraid that you will need to just have the stills - I did love the changing lights on the Royal Liver Building.

View media item 9321
View media item 9322
View media item 9323
View media item 9324
View media item 9325
View media item 9326
View media item 9327
 
Liverpool docks seem to be doing well.

Peel reports record-breaking month for the Port of Liverpool
Last updated Nov 22, 2019
Share

Port owner says October was its best-ever month for container volumes as it gets ready to increase capacity at the Liverpool2 terminal. Tony McDonough reports
MSC Messina
Container vessel MSC Messina at the Port of Liverpool

Container volumes at the Port of Liverpool hit record levels in October, growing 12% year-on-year, according to owner Peel Ports.
Peel didn’t reveal the number of containers that passed through the port, at Seaforth on the banks of the Mersey, but said it exceeded all previous monthly figures with cargos spears across 12 separate shipping lines.
The company added it had also managed reduce the length of time trucks are spending at the port. The average truck turnaround time at the Port of Liverpool is now consistently below 40 minutes.
David Huck, managing director at Peel Ports, said: “More businesses are realising that it makes more sense to ship products closer to their end destinations. For much of the UK container market Liverpool is the port that offers the shortest supply chain, helping to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions.
“It’s testament to the efforts of our whole team that we’re able to significantly increase traffic at the port while also providing our customers with an excellent service.”
Jon Whitely, managing director of JWT Haulage, one of the biggest haulage companies in the North West, added: “The Port of Liverpool’s latest throughput figures prove that Peel’s focus on road haulage efficiency is working.
“Thanks to the infrastructure and processes in place at Liverpool, drivers are able to spend less time inactive and more time focusing on the safe, timely delivery of containers to customers across the UK.”
Peel Ports has into an agreement with global terminal business, Terminal Investment Limited Sarl (TiL). The proposed joint venture involves the development of the Liverpool2 container terminal and will enable Peel Ports to accelerate its growth plans.
Work has already started on the second phase of the Liverpool2 project development to provide additional capacity for the expected increase in volumes. This will see the arrival of STS cranes before the end of the year, with the overall project expected to be completed during 2021.
The multi-million pound project will significantly increase the footprint of the site and see the addition of ten cantilever rail mounted gantry cranes (CRMGs) and three ship-to-shore cranes (STS).
 
One of the new trains for the Merseyrail network which is just leaving Switzerland for Liverpool.

View attachment 15766


The trains they are replacing are 40 years old and they were second hand and came from the SE I believe. Merseyrail do a great job considering the old stock they have, they are often the top train operating company.
 
The latest images of the Royal College of Physicians’ £35m headquarters in Liverpool have been released, as the building topped out this week.
Morgan Sindall Construction is the main contractor at the Spine, which is located within the £1bn Paddington Village, part of the 450-acre Knowledge Quarter innovation district, a Liverpool Mayoral Development Zone project.
Designed by AHR Architects, the Spine will total 160,000 sq ft of offices when complete.
It takes its name from a staircase on its North elevation that is supposed to resemble human vertabrae.
The RCP, which represents 37,000 doctors across the world, is to occupy the building’s lower and upper floors, while the remaining seven storeys will offer a range of workspaces aimed at health, technology, science and education operators. The offices are understood to be 70% let, with occupier announcements coming forward in the coming months.
An exhibition space is planned on the first floor, which will lead via a staircase to a ground floor café and foyer. The Spine will also have an external sky garden, conference and meeting rooms and car parking with electric charging points.
RCP president Professor Andrew Goddard said: “Our new northern home is making fantastic progress and is making its mark on the Liverpool landscape.
“Its design and facilities will support our doctors and staff in improving patient care and I’m really excited about the building opening in 2021.”
Arup is the engineering on the building, Morgan Sindall is the main contractor and AHR is the architect.
Robert Hopkins, regional director at AHR, said: “From the distinctive Voronoi panels to the striking geometric staircase; the trabecular columns to the abundant internal space – the innovation throughout has reflected the ambitious and pioneering nature of this new northern home for the RCP.
The 30-acre Paddington Village site previously housed a now relocated secondary school. It is being developed by Liverpool City Council in three phases – Paddington Central, Paddington South and Paddington North.
Click on any image to enlarge
The Spine Main ImageThe Spine 4
The Spine Works 1The Spine CGI 1
The Spine CGI 2The Spine 3

Details from Places Northwest
 
Last edited:
The latest images of the Royal College of Physicians’ £35m headquarters in Liverpool have been released, as the building topped out this week.
Morgan Sindall Construction is the main contractor at the Spine, which is located within the £1bn Paddington Village, part of the 450-acre Knowledge Quarter innovation district, a Liverpool Mayoral Development Zone project.
Designed by AHR Architects, the Spine will total 160,000 sq ft of offices when complete.
It takes its name from a staircase on its North elevation that is supposed to resemble human vertabrae.
The RCP, which represents 37,000 doctors across the world, is to occupy the building’s lower and upper floors, while the remaining seven storeys will offer a range of workspaces aimed at health, technology, science and education operators. The offices are understood to be 70% let, with occupier announcements coming forward in the coming months.
An exhibition space is planned on the first floor, which will lead via a staircase to a ground floor café and foyer. The Spine will also have an external sky garden, conference and meeting rooms and car parking with electric charging points.
RCP president Professor Andrew Goddard said: “Our new northern home is making fantastic progress and is making its mark on the Liverpool landscape.
“Its design and facilities will support our doctors and staff in improving patient care and I’m really excited about the building opening in 2021.”
Arup is the engineering on the building, Morgan Sindall is the main contractor and AHR is the architect.
Robert Hopkins, regional director at AHR, said: “From the distinctive Voronoi panels to the striking geometric staircase; the trabecular columns to the abundant internal space – the innovation throughout has reflected the ambitious and pioneering nature of this new northern home for the RCP.
The 30-acre Paddington Village site previously housed a now relocated secondary school. It is being developed by Liverpool City Council in three phases – Paddington Central, Paddington South and Paddington North.
Click on any image to enlarge
The Spine Main ImageThe Spine 4
The Spine Works 1The Spine CGI 1
The Spine CGI 2The Spine 3

Details from Places Northwest

Is this on the main drag through the Waterfront?
 
Plans for a tram link between city centre and Knowledge Quarter revealed . Something similar to the airport would be most welcome too.

Liverpool city centre 'trackless' tram vision revealed

Tramplan CGI
Image copyrightKNOWLEDGE QUARTERImage captionThe Paddington line would link an area on the east of the city centre close to Lime Street station
Businesses and people in Liverpool are being asked for their views on a proposed new trackless tram system.
The Paddington Line could take passengers from the new Royal Liverpool Hospital close to Lime Street station in under four minutes, it is claimed.
The route would connect Paddington Village, a new area for scientific and medical research, with the city centre.
A city council spokesman said: "It is very much the first stop on the journey before a business plan is developed."
The battery-powered trams have a chassis which runs on rubber wheels guided by sensors along roads.
The system does not need overhead cables or track which makes it cheaper than a conventional tramway, said the group behind the plans.
Tram plan CGI
Image copyrightKNOWLEDGE QUARTERImage captionThe trams do not need tracks or overhead cables
The plans have been devised by the Knowledge Quarter, a consortium of Liverpool City Council, the two universities and the NHS.
The group estimates that 1,000 journeys could be made per hour by people living, working and studying in the area.
Feedback from the consultation will be presented to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority who will have to decide whether a business plan can be drawn up.
The project, formerly known as the Lime Line, was first mooted in 2017 by city Mayor Joe Anderson.
Other plans for a £170m tram network from Kirkby to Liverpool were dropped in 2007 when the Labour government decided it lacked public support.
Coincidentally, the area of Liverpool in New South Wales, Australia is investigating a similar system to link the area with the new Western Sydney International Airport.

(From BBC)
 
If they have no tracks doesn't that just essentially make them buses?
 
If they have no tracks doesn't that just essentially make them buses?
When trolley buses operated in the UK, mainly in London, they took their power from overhead wires but otherwise operated on normal roads as normal buses, albeit drivers had to be careful not to stray too far from the overhead wires.

This initiative seems to use battery-powered vehicles guided by sensors along roads. It's not clear if they will be dedicated roads or, if not, whether the sensor-routes will be clearly marked to give other drivers the necessary information. Obviously tram lines identify themselves and no sane car driver is going to deliberately joust with a tram car. This idea removes the need for tracks and external power paraphernalia.

Time will tell if it works.
 
A bit more new on new class 777 trains for the local network.

Serco Rail Technical Services awarded contract by Stadler Rail for testing of the new Merseyrail EMU fleet of trains
Previous
  • Serco Rail


Serco Rail Technical Services awarded contract by Stadler Rail for testing of the new Merseyrail EMU fleet of trains
Serco’s Derby based Rail Technical Services (SRTS) has been awarded a contract by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer, Stadler Rail, to undertake a programme of testing services for the new fleet of trains for the Merseyrail network.
Stadler Rail is delivering a fleet of 52 EMU (Class 777) trains, including ongoing maintenance services for Merseytravel. Once testing is complete later this year, the fleet will be rolled out gradually over the course of 12 months. SRTS are undertaking type testing activities at the Wildenrath test track in Germany and at the new Liverpool Kirkdale depot operated by Stadler Rail Service UK. SRTS engineers have delivered and fitted instrumentation to the first unit and are carrying out a range of tests including dynamic ride performance, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), braking, Wheel Slide Protection (WSP) and noise. This involves working as an integrated team with Stadler to a tight schedule, including collection and analysis of test conditions and results to support system verification and validation.
SRTS is also supporting testing activities for Stadler with other UK new fleet projects (Greater Anglia FLIRT BMU and the Glasgow METRO EMU).
Of the recent success with Stadler, Richard Hobson, Director, SRTS said, ‘Serco is delighted to be supporting Stadler during a critical project phase in the introduction of their fleet being funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which will ensure that the investment in new rolling stock for the Merseyrail network delivers safe and reliable trains for the benefit of passengers in the Liverpool City Region. SRTS are pleased to be assisting new train manufacturers such as Stadler Rail becoming established in the UK rail market and developing a reputation for high quality, dependable rolling stock.’
Merseytravel’s Programme Director Rolling Stock David Powell, said: ‘The new fleet will transform how people travel. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone and are now able to test our state of the art trains on the network to ensure they are ready for passenger service.’
Andy Heath, Merseyrail’s Managing Director, said: ‘This is yet another step towards bringing new trains to the Merseyrail network and the people of the Liverpool City Region, and we are looking forward to working closely alongside Serco Rail Technical Services to ensure the trains operate safely and effectively.’
SRTS is also providing independent assurance services to Merseyrail, ensuring potential risks to new fleet introduction have been identified, particularly relating to system interfaces (e.g. vehicle/track, vehicle/power) and are being managed effectively.
About Serco Rail Technical Services (SRTS): SRTS is part of Serco’s Transport business, which operates various transport services around the world (primarily rail but also air, sea and road related). A specialist provider of Rolling Stock Testing & Commissioning (T&C) and technical assurance services, it is uniquely placed to provide a deep technical and practical insight into GB railway operations, having originated from the British Railway testing and development division in the mid-1990s. Today it has over 50 years’ experience across a broad range of rolling stock and infrastructure technical services through the rolling stock development lifecycle. SRTS provides engineers at client depots and routes across the GB rail network and since 2006 has developed and operated the UK’s main test track at the Rail Innovation & Development Centre (RIDC) Melton, initially for London Underground and latterly on behalf of Network Rail. It works closely with train manufacturers to successfully deliver extensive and complex rolling stock testing programmes at this site and other worldwide test tracks and depots.
About Merseyrail: Merseyrail is the train operator responsible for the operating passenger services in Liverpool and the surrounding Liverpool City Region. It is a 50/50 joint venture between Serco and Abellio, as part of a 25 year franchise from 2003 to 2028. It has been the most punctual train operator in the country for two years running.
About the Combined Authority
The fleet of state-of-the-art trains is being funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for the Merseyrail network, on behalf of the 1.6million city region residents.
£500m is being invested in bringing the new trains to the Northern and Wirral lines, which will help connect people and places across the Liverpool City Region, boost the local economy and create more than 1000 new jobs.
Merseytravel
Merseytravel is the transport advisory and delivery arm of the Combined Authority, helping coordinate transport provision and deliver transport projects that support the economic growth of the Liverpool City Region. Merseytravel lets the 25-year rail concession to Merseyrail on behalf of the Combined Authority.
About Stadler: Stadler is an international rail-builder, headquartered in Bussnang in Eastern Switzerland. It is supplying the new METRO trains for the Liverpool City Region and has a 35-year contract to service and maintain Merseyrail trains. This started in 2017 with the legacy fleet. Stadler is delivering trains for three other UK clients: Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in Glasgow, Abellio East Anglia and T
 

Upload Media

Upgrade Your Account

Subscribe to help support your favourite forum and in return we'll remove all our advertisements. Your contribution will help to pay for things like site maintenance, domain name renewals and annual server charges.



Forums4aiports
Subscribe

NEW - Profile Posts

9 trips in 9 days done 70 miles walked and over 23-00 photos taken with a large number taken at 20mph or above. Heavy rain on 1 day only
5 trips done and 45 miles walked,. Also the RAF has had 4 F35B Lightning follow me yesterday and today....
My plans got altered slightly as one of the minibus companies had to cancel 3 trips and refunded me but will be getting nice discount when I rebook them.
wondering why on my "holidays" I choose to get up 2 hours earlier than when going to work. 6 trips in 6 days soon coming up with 3 more days to sort out

Trending Hashtags

Advertisement

Back
Top Bottom
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock