​The development of Merseyrail’s new station in Maghull North has moved a step closer after Sefton Council granted planning permission for the scheme.
The council’s planning committee approved plans for the new Maghull North station, which will be located between the existing Maghull and Town Green stations on the Ormskirk branch of Merseyrail’s Northern Line, after the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) accepted the business case for the station late last year.
The station forms a key part of the council’s Sefton Local Plan, offering relief for the existing station in the town and supporting demand from a new housing development nearby which will include 370 homes.
Cllr Ian Maher, the local authority’s leader, said that he was delighted that planning permission has been granted, adding: “It is vitally important that as our towns and communities grow there is sufficient infrastructure to support them.
The station, which will start being built in August this year, will come with numerous facilities such as a staffed ticket office, a 156-space car park and future provision for electric vehicle charging points.
The £13m scheme is being funded by the government’s Local Growth Fund, Merseytravel and the Homes and Communities Association, which currently owns the land on which the station will be built.
Cllr Gordon Friel, Merseytravel deputy chair and lead member for rail, said: “It’s great news that the new station development at Maghull North has been given planning approval as it will provide a real boost to the local community.
The Maghull North station forms part of a wider £340m investment by Network Rail and the LCRCA into rail improvements on the Liverpool City Region network over the next three years.
Claire Rawson, Network Rail’s project sponsor, explained that the station will play “a vital part in accommodating the growing number of passengers using the network now and in the future”.
It is anticipated that the new station will be finished and ready to open by May 2018.
again this is just not true. as of today 3rd MAy 2017 no planning application has been approved, it is still awaiting decision. I confirmed this today by phone as well. please get your facts right before printing.