A major road in Knowsley will be closed to vehicles for the summer holidays to enable works on the new Headbolt Lane station project.
Knowsley Council is reminding motorists that County Road in Kirkby will be closed from tomorrow, July 23, up until August 30 to enable Network Rail to carry out the works, but access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained at all times.
The road will be closed between the junction with St Kevins Drive and the junction of Boyes Brow/Headbolt Lane to replace the existing bridge over County Road. This will enable Network Rail to install an additional railway track approaching the new station.
READ MORE: Man found dead on train tracks at Merseyside station
The council added the closure for the summer holidays is anticipated to reduce the impact on traffic and there will be signed diversions in place for road users. You can find details of affected bus diversion routes on the Merseytravel website.
Between Monday, July 18 and Monday, August 29, replacement buses will also operate between Kirkby Station and Rainford Station due to the ongoing works for Headbolt Lane. Knowsley council confirmed some of the work, taking place throughout the day and night, will be noisy but the noisiest elements will be taking place throughout the day.
Network Rail are delivering the new £80m Headbolt Lane station project in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council. The new station at Headbolt Lane will extend the existing Merseyrail service beyond Kirkby.
Plans include:
- A new station building, incorporating a ticket office, a booking hall, and passenger toilets
- A new double-track railway bridge over County Road
- Step-free pedestrian access throughout the station
- Cycle parking and approximately 300 car parking spaces
- A new station access road from Headbolt Lane, including a bridge over Kirkby Brook
- Landscaped frontage to the station
- An extensive CCTV security system
- A bus interchange and links to local cycling and walking networks
- Closure and infill of the subway which runs under Headbolt Lane
- Provision of new segregated cycling and pedestrian facilities along Headbolt Lane
- New toucan crossing across Headbolt Lane and improved cycle crossing across County Road
- Green space improvements to the surrounding areas, which will be delivered by Knowsley Council
Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: "We’re very grateful for the patience that local residents are showing during the works to build the new station at Headbolt Lane. While we understand that this road closure will be disruptive to residents, the end result will be a huge positive for the local community in the form of better links to the local rail network, making it easier for residents to travel for education, work and leisure.
"This will be another step on our journey towards Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ambition of building a London-style transport system for our region, making getting around as quick, cheap, clean and reliable wherever you live."
READ NEXT:
Drug ring boss found dead in prison with no explanation
No breakthrough as Arriva Merseyside strikes head into day three
Mum's Homebase garden furniture randomly burst into flames and set house on fire
Teen crack dealer earned 'hundreds every day' after joining 'the family business'
Carer, 34, 'with heart of gold' dies after fall from balcony in Turkey
