One of the first train stations in the world is set to be improved as part of a £20m Levelling Up fund.
Earlestown railway station dates back to 1830 and is seen by many as a vital part of the town's heritage as one of the oldest stations in the world. As part of a £20m funding boost recently secured from the government, the station will see several new features, including lifts and a café.
The distinctive "triangle" area between platforms will also be cleared as part of the plans, making room for open space, and potentially allotments- according to Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron. Cllr Gomez-Aspron said the work will make the link through to Wargrave "much more appealing".
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Earlestown station also boasts the world's oldest railway building, on platform two. The plans aim to see this building put back into use, with ambitions for it to hold a café, waiting room and small heritage centre.
Newton-le-Willows East Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE, said: "As in St Helens and Earlestown, this Levelling Up Fund money is one of a number of funding streams we are accessing to regenerate both town centres.
"For Earlestown, as one of only two stations in the UK built on a triangle, accessibility has always been an issue for both train users and people coming into Earlestown from Wargrave. That should help boost visitor numbers and shoppers into the town centre, combined with the town centre plans too.
"This levelling up funding, along with the current Access for All bid, will transform the station with lift access in order to make it fully accessible. Earlestown is currently the most used station on the Liverpool Manchester line without any disabled access, and it’s been a long battle to fix that, but we are finally here.
"Likewise, the historic waiting room, last used in 1980, will provide a welcome warm refuge for station users in the LUF plans to bring it back into full use."
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