Network Rail logo. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study, October 2020. Continuous Modular Strategic Planning.
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study Continuous Modular Strategic Planning October 2020 • Network Rail logo. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study, October 2020. Continuous Modular Strategic Planning.
02 Contents Part A: Executive Summary 03 Part B: Where are we now? – An Introduction 06 Part C: Where are we going? – The Demand for Rail 11 Part D: How do we get there? – A Strategy for the Liverpool City Region 16 Part E: Summary and Conclusions 21 Appendix A: Glossary 23 Appendix B: Reference Material 24 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
03 Part A Executive Summary Highlights • The Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study is a key part of the rail industry’s Continuous Modular Strategic Planning process • It sets out proposals and choices for funders for the next 10 to 30 years At the heart of a vibrant region The challenge of accommodating passenger demand The Merseyrail network is at the heart of the Liverpool is most acute at Liverpool’s bustling, underground city City Region’s public transport system. It provides some 34 centre stations. Liverpool Central, in particular, is a million passengers a year with access to employment, constrained site due to the layout of the station, the education, tourism, culture and leisure opportunities. volume of passengers and the congestion associated with the mix of flows between the Northern and Wirral The network is one of the most reliable and highest line platforms. Consequently, the study must identify performing strategic routes in the UK (96% Public potential solutions to address these issues. Performance Measure Moving Annual Average, Providing a basis for future strategy development November - December 2019). Benefiting from the long- term Merseyrail franchise, overseen by Liverpool City This study provides a clear, compelling way forward for Region Combined Authority, the network is a significant the Merseyrail network. It is reflected within the part of the wider success story of the region. This reflects Liverpool City Region’s own Long Term Rail Strategy Merseyrail’s role in supporting the renaissance of and will support the Rail Network Enhancements Liverpool City Centre and the region’s increasingly vibrant Pipeline. economy. That said, meeting this growing demand is not Whilst important to the future of the Liverpool City without its challenges. Region’s transport system, however, the Merseyrail Serving a busy, growing city network is only one component of the rail strategy for Merseyrail provides high frequency services to the north the Liverpool City Region. of the city centre via the ‘Northern Line’ to Southport, The ‘City Lines’, providing more frequent and longer- Ormskirk and Kirkby, as well as Hunts Cross to the south distance services from Liverpool Lime Street to the east of the city centre. The ‘Wirral Line’ serves routes east, are not within the scope of this report. However, between Liverpool City Centre and New Brighton, West the study did need to consider whether any additional Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. or different use of the Merseyrail network was required This busy, intensive service is operated by a train fleet in order to alleviate pressure on Liverpool Lime Street which, at the time of writing, is amongst the oldest station and the approaches to it, whilst meeting passenger rolling stock in use on the UK national rail demand and other ‘conditional outputs’. The study network and is near life-expired. Merseyrail runs through found that with the recently delivered capacity densely populated urban areas and crosses the River enhancement (delivering an additional platform and Mersey, with significant sections of the network in tunnels. remodelled approach tracks), Liverpool Lime Street and Adding capacity to the existing network through more the approaches to it are able to meet forecast trains, or even the traditional solution of longer trains, can passenger demand and deliver the expected level of therefore be difficult, costly and disruptive to passengers train service at least until 2026. and to the region. Utilising available network capacity in However, a strategic approach to the longer-term the most efficient and effective manner, with a continued future of Liverpool Lime Street and the City Lines will focus on passenger and public safety, is fundamental to be needed to consider the emerging NPR proposition, this study. alongside HS2 train services, and emerging plans for the development and regeneration of Liverpool city centre. October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
04 most acute issue”. Significant work has taken place to Scope de-clutter usable platform space and provide refurbished • Merseyrail Northern and Wirral Lines, plus escalators (on the Northern Line), which have helped to potential extensions improve passenger circulation. Current passenger levels are manageable, albeit very high at peak times, • Investment priorities for delivery by 2024 particularly on Saturdays, and when other major events • Strategic options for demand and connectivity are held in the city region. to 2043 If the forecast demand on the Merseyrail network up to The strategy for the Merseyrail network and beyond 2024 is to be met, significant improvements • Make efficient use of the existing rail to passenger capacity and circulation will be required infrastructure within the next five years. City centre development in close proximity to Liverpool Central only reinforces the • Deliver capacity to meet demand and sustain importance of an intervention which will support and economic growth facilitate economic growth, whilst highlighting the • Minimise the cost and disruption of requirement for an integrated and collaborative approach infrastructure investment to spatial planning in and around the station. • Improve the service and safety for passengers The key strategic infrastructure intervention is therefore to deliver greater passenger capacity at Liverpool Central, with options in development to understand in more detail Meeting growing demand through strategic the costs and benefits. investment in new trains Without such a scheme to improve passenger capacity The cornerstone of the study for the future of the and throughput, it is likely that congestion would require Merseyrail network is Merseytravel’s procurement of a significant controls on passenger flows into the station by new rolling stock fleet, which is currently in production. 2024. During the course of the early 2020’s, delays to The new fleet will come into operation in the early services and station closures to manage crowding would 2020s. become increasingly common, emphasising the The specification for the new fleet allows it to importance of an appropriate intervention. accommodate approximately 60% more passengers Elsewhere on the network, this study identifies the need per train, alongside improvements in the on-board for further city centre station strategy development in the environment. As a result, the new fleet is capable of context of forecast demand and the emerging High Speed meeting forecast passenger demand up to 2043, 2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) propositions. without the need to provide additional services. Identifying longer-term options for additional The new rolling stock can also enable safety connectivity and demand improvements This study process identified ‘conditional outputs’ of Platform-train interface improvements are an integral frequency, journey time and connectivity which – if component of the introduction of the new fleet. The affordable, value-for-money solutions could be found – new trains feature a sliding step to reduce the stepping would help the rail network to do its job of supporting distance between carriage and platform, and other economic growth in the region. The study found that the train-borne safety features to further mitigate risk. relevant conditional outputs can be delivered on the Collaborative approach to infrastructure investment existing network, with the current structure of services, This strategic investment in the new train fleet is with the exception of stakeholders’ aspirations for supported by enhancements to the infrastructure of additional direct connectivity to targeted locations the Merseyrail network. This includes improvements to currently off the Merseyrail network. depot facilities at Kirkdale and Birkenhead North, As such, the study reports potentially feasible options for upgrades to the power supply, and platform works the extension of the Merseyrail network between: which include safety and accessibility improvements for the platform-train interface. This programme is • Kirkby and Skelmersdale (and/or Wigan); scheduled to be completed in the early 2020s and is an • Ormskirk and Burscough (and/or Preston); and investment of approximately £460 million in the • Bidston and Shotton (and/or Wrexham). Merseyrail network. Delivering passenger capacity at Liverpool Central Whilst these have not been identified as immediate priorities to meet demand by 2024, they remain strategic Previous studies identified station capacity in the city choices for funders to consider and look at in more detail. centre stations, in particular Liverpool Central, as “the The existing network and new train specifications are Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
05 expected to be able to support the assumed services that would operate over the extended routes. Beyond 2024, notwithstanding how NPR and High Speed 2 (HS2) propositions develop, it is clear that demand for rail into and across the Liverpool City Region can be expected to grow, and in the longer term the Merseyrail network could have a role to play in providing capacity to the east of the city centre. Merseyrail: A collaborative approach to the delivery of the new fleet of As such, alongside the planned new train fleet, options rolling stock for the Liverpool City Region identified in the Liverpool City Region Long Term Rail Strategy (2018) to provide additional long-term • Further city centre station strategy development, in capacity and connectivity include: support of HS2, NPR and the Combined Authority’s • A new digital signalling system, currently planned to spatial planning; and be delivered in in CP8 (2029 - 2034) providing • In the future, further modules of the the Continuous improved capacity and performance; Modular Strategic Planning (CMSP) approach to • A new connection from the Northern Line to the long term planning, incorporating this study’s ‘City Lines’ via a re-opened Wapping tunnel; and outputs as well as building on the above work to integrate the evidence base and strategy for the • Additional extensions to the Merseyrail network. wider North West, to reflect stakeholder priorities. These have not been assessed as part of this study as Continuing to deliver through local partnership they will be dependent upon the progression of the This study process has been led by Network Rail but NPR workstream, or the progress of other workstreams. would not have been possible without the significant Maintaining focus on passenger and public safety collaborative input, local knowledge, expertise and Passenger safety at stations is a key strategic priority insight of representatives of Liverpool City Region for the Merseyrail network. As such, the system safety Combined Authority, Merseyrail, other passenger and priorities identified in this study are: freight train operators, Department for Transport and stakeholders from across the region. This is a • Platform-train interface improvements delivered as fundamental feature not just of the study itself but of part of the rollout of new rolling stock; and the wider success story that is rail in the region. • Passenger capacity and circulation improvements at In the context of the devolution of funding and powers Liverpool Central. local decision making will support continued economic In addition, the study has noted the impact of change growth through a collaborative, partnership approach, on level crossing risk which appears relatively minor which will continue to be crucial, both to the successful due to limited changes to service frequencies, but delivery of this study and to the further strategy which will need to be reviewed at the project development identified above. Network Rail looks development stage as individual projects are taken forward to working with its local partners to play its full forward. part in those next steps. Priorities for Investment The priorities for investment identified in this study provide a platform for these wider considerations, and the longer- term strategic options identified above will remain relevant in the context of HS2 and the development of the NPR propostions. Indeed, it may be the case that funders consider accelerating options such as the Northern Line-City Lines connection in this context. As such, at the time of writing, future rail strategy development for the Liverpool City Region includes: • Updates to Liverpool City Region’s Long Term Rail Strategy; • Progressing the development of a solution to passenger capacity at Liverpool Central; October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
06 Part B Where are we now? An Introduction Introduction to the Liverpool City Region network • Sets out the future direction for the railway network in the Merseyrail area • Developed through collaboration between the rail industry, funders and stakeholders • Details the governance, structure and scope of the study • Sets out the strategic priorities and goals that underpin this study The Merseyrail Network Transport for Wales trains at Bidston use the The Merseyrail network Figure 1 (Page 10) is an entirely Merseyrail platform. There are a number of stations third rail Direct Current (DC) electrified network spread that offer the opportunity for interchange on the over the Liverpool City Region, north Cheshire and Northern Line, with links to local services at Southport south west Lancashire. The network is split in two: the and Kirkby towards Wigan, at Ormskirk towards Wirral Line and the Northern Line. Preston, and Hunts Cross for stations between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester. The route also There are four terminus stations on the Wirral Line: calls at Liverpool South Parkway for Liverpool John New Brighton, West Kirkby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. Lennon Airport and connections to Manchester, the All stations on this route are connected to Hamilton east, Crewe and the south. Square in Birkenhead, and the central Liverpool stations of James Street, Moorfields, Liverpool Lime More detailed information about the route is available Street and Liverpool Central, which are served by a in the Merseyside Strategic Route Specification, one-way, clockwise loop line underneath Liverpool City available on the Network Rail website. Centre. Liverpool Lime Street Low Level forms an Study Purpose and Scope important link to the mainline Liverpool Lime Street The Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study sets out station for interchange with services to a wide range of a vision for the next 10 to 30 years of a much busier destinations. Chester is an interchange station for railway that will contribute to the economy and the services to Wales, Manchester and London, and forecast increase in population in the Liverpool City Bidston acts as a local interchange station with the Region. Wrexham to Bidston line (known as the ‘Borderlands Line’). The study’s scope is focused on the third rail DC network in the Liverpool City Region including its The Northern Line operates from Hunts Cross in the current operations, capacity increases and potential south to Liverpool Central and Moorfields, with extensions. The following extensions have been northerly branches serving Southport, Kirkby and considered as meeting connectivity based conditional Ormskirk. The Northern Line crosses the Liverpool to outputs: Manchester line (also known as the ‘Cheshire Lines Committee’) at Hunts Cross West Junction, on the • Wrexham – Bidston (supports conditional outputs approach to Hunts Cross station. Under normal of providing direct connectivity between Wrexham operation, this is the only part of the network that and Liverpool / provide connectivity and service directly interacts with the rest of the national network. improvements between Neston and Liverpool / However, there are other places where platforms can provide connectivity and service improvements be shared, for example, Southport platform 3 can be between Shotton and Liverpool). used with the Wigan line and Chester platform 7 can • Ormskirk – Preston (supports conditional outputs of be used by other services. Similarly, Ellesmere Port providing direct connectivity between Burscough station has access from the Northern network, while and Liverpool). Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
07 • Kirkby – Wigan Wallgate (supports conditional networks and are inclined to travel further to meet outputs of providing direct connectivity between friends or to enjoy leisure time. The cost of car Skelmersdale and Liverpool). ownership and the impact of congestion mean greater numbers of people rely on the rail network. The Strategic Priorities that underpin the Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study are: • The rail industry has also played a key role in making train services an attractive way to travel through • Safety and Performance – to help all our customers, better services, market segmentation and staff and suppliers get home safe every day. This is technology driven changes in ticketing, fares and central to the future interventions Network Rail is information. proposing as choices for funders. The railway industry has a responsibility to understand • Economic growth – the railway is integral to the these drivers of passenger growth and how they economy and thus a better railway is pivotal in interact with each other. This understanding is delivering growth in the Liverpool City Region. important to inform the future direction of the railway • Social value – the railway is crucial in supporting network. local economies by providing access to Continuing this success story requires an evidence employment, education and other social based and collaborative approach to strategic infrastructure as well as the retail and tourism planning. This approach underpins the work of the sectors. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study and the • Digital Railway – the rail industry’s Digital Railway resulting choices for funders. programme will revolutionise train control, Planning Approach and Governance ticketing, fares and information. The Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study was • Capacity – to understand how new higher capacity developed as part of the Continuous Modular Strategic rolling stock can accommodate passenger demand Planning (CMSP) approach to planning the future of and the impact at city centre stations. the network for the next 10 to 30 years, and provide • Connectivity – the role rail can play in connecting choices for funders. communities and making interchanges easier and This Strategic Rail Study has been completed in more reliable, both between trains and between collaboration with the rail industry, funders in the UK trains and other modes of transport. This is Government, and with stakeholders in the City Region. particularly important for the Merseyrail network. CMSP is Network Rail’s response to the Shaw Report • Connectivity with HS2 / NPR is a key economic recommendation noting the requirement to better driver in the future and this study takes cognisance plan the railway based on customer, passenger and of this workstream. freight needs. • Punctuality and Reliability – Merseyrail continues to In order to meet the various funder, service specifier achieve very high levels of performance, regularly in and wider stakeholder needs, the CMSP process allows the top 3 of all UK rail franchises. The railway the industry to become more dynamic and its products system will be much busier in future and the more easily accessible. This is in essence creating industry needs to plan for this. route-based enhancement plans that better meet the • Weather Resilience – future proofing the railway industry’s needs by: system from the worst effects of climate change is • focusing on the needs of passengers and freight crucial to future plans. end-users; Strategic Context • engaging operators to represent the voice of those • The railway in Britain has seen two decades of customers; unprecedented passenger growth and this demand • using the Continuous Modular Strategic Planning is forecast to increase. process to inform refranchising, capacity allocation, • In particular, Merseyrail network patronage has development and delivery of enhancements and grown significantly, driven by a number of different sale of access rights; factors. Socio-economic factors have a big role to • employing a more effective, focused means of play and have changed the way passengers live, consultation; work and commute. Advances in communication technology means people have wider social • providing more granular, targeted market insight; October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
08 • developing a ‘service change’ pipeline for future of these enhancements. This will enable the assets be configuration states; and sustainable in the long term, whilst delivering the capacity and performance required for our customers • making best use of the network focusing on in a manner that contributes to Network Rail’s safety incremental opportunities, synergies and service principles. trade-offs. The assessment of any future anticipated network The Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study is one of a enhancements can inform the development of number of modules being developed as part of the CMSP European Train Control System (ETCS) on the approach across the country to inform the planning Merseyrail network. The Merseyrail network offers a process. timely opportunity for the roll out of ETCS once Previous study work identified issues and options that signalling becomes due for renewal in the late 2020s, might need addressing in Control Period 6 - the Liverpool subject to funding becoming available. City Region Strategic Rail Study provides an opportunity Resilience to revisit those ideas and develop a revised evidence base to support the case for potential interventions and/ A safe, reliable and resilient network underpins or enhancements in the future, e.g work to address Network Rail’s plans for the future of the railway. The crowding at Liverpool Central. resilience of the railway to extreme weather events plays a considerable part in this and is reflected within The CMSP approach has a key role in fulfilling Network Network Rail asset policies and plans. Rail’s Licence Condition which requires it to plan the future of the network in a way that will deliver: Network Rail has published a series of Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation (WRCCA) • a safe railway for passengers and for the people who plans aligned to the devolved routes of Network Rail. work on the railway; The Liverpool City Region is reflected within the North • a reliable timetable, including the uncertainties West and Central (NW&C) WRCCA Plan which created by climate change; and identifies a number of appropriate actions required to bolster the resilience of the network. These are based • using technology that provides good value for money on the need to strengthen Network Rail’s existing asset for users and funders, e.g. digital signalling. base. This includes the use of railhead treatment trains The following section sets out the working assumptions which apply anti-icing fluid to the rail throughout the that have been followed in developing the study that winter season to reduce the risk of ice forming on the underpins the work. DC conductor rail during colder periods. Network Rail Digital Railway will continue to improve the weather resilience of the assets throughout CP6 through seeking to improve the Network Rail’s Digital Railway Strategy (April 2018) ability to predict weather related events by enhanced offers the chance to deliver huge benefits for passegers risk assessments, remote monitoring and improved and freight users, and is seen to be the most cost weather forecasting combined with a better effective way to deliver the future railway needs of understanding of the condition of assets. Britain. Network Rail is developing a NW&C Route Extreme Digital Railway could deliver the following benefits: Weather Strategy for CP6. This will enable Network Rail • Increased capacity to meet demand; to better inform plans for implementation of specific • Better performance for passengers and freight weather resilience works in CP7. customer journeys; Safety and Performance • Enable faster journey times; All of the choices for funders will deliver improved safety and performance for the Merseyrail network. • Less disruption from renewals, maintenance and This includes a review of level crossings on the upgrades; Merseyrail network as well as the level crossings on • Enhanced safety for passengers and workers; and potential network extensions. Improved passenger safety is also a key objective, with increased passenger • Better asset sustainability such as lower whole life flows predicted on the Merseyrail network, most cost. notably at Liverpool Central. For the purposes of this Study, Digital Railway has been Extensions to the Merseyrail network have been considered at a high level. However, in accordance with considered within the study. It should be noted that the Digital Railway Strategy, should any choices for contact with third rail equipment can result in serious funders identified within the Study be progressed, then the use of up to date technologies should form the basis injury and, in extreme circumstances, is fatal. Therefore this study has considered alternative options for power Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
09 supply within the development of network extensions. for re-opening the Wapping Tunnel, which could offer the opportunity to merge mainline and Although different types of risk are involved in the Merseyrail services and also release capacity at operation and maintenance of overhead line Liverpool Lime Street station. The main output for equipment or independent power equipment, these this scheme is enhanced connectivity across the risks are considered less severe than those associated region, Network Rail will consider any conclusions in with traction power supply via third rail. Therefore, any future strategy work related to the Merseyrail proposal to use alternatives to extensions of the third network. rail power supply would represent a reduction in risk. Demand Analysis Liverpool Lime Street The Merseyrail network is a continuing success story, Liverpool Lime Street station is a key hub and provides with demand rising and consistent high direct access to Liverpool City Centre. performance. The network is reflective of the region The station has been upgraded during Control Period 5 it serves; the recent transformation of Liverpool City as part of the £340 million investment in Liverpool City Centre has moved the focus of the main retail and Region under the Great North Rail Project. This will leisure area towards the River Mersey, but there has provide extra capacity for new and longer services, also been growth in passenger demand in suburban driven by the Northern and TransPennine Express areas and towns in other parts of the region. franchises and as part of the wider North of England Figure 1 shows the “current” demand vs. capacity Programme. It accommodates the new Liverpool to situation as an average of all high peak services into Chester, and beyond, service over the rebuilt ‘Halton central Liverpool on a given weekday in autumn Curve’. 2018. On average, there is enough seated capacity Further enhancements as a result of other changes to on most services into central Liverpool with some train services (including those emanating from the standing (under one person per square metre) on NPR workstream) may be required in the longer term, Merseyrail services from Ormskirk and Kirkby. but analysis completed as part of the Liverpool City However, this tends to fall within the acceptable 20 Region Strategic Rail Study indicated expected levels minute guideline for standing passengers, as of connectivity and capacity at the end of Control recommended by DfT guidance. As this is just an Period 6 (March 2024) can be accommodated within average across all services, some services will the station. certainly be busier and experience more crowding Blackpool – Liverpool services would be forecast to than others. reach 100% of seating capacity by the end of CP6, however this does include stops within the acceptable 20 minute guideline for standing passengers. All other service groups on the ‘City Lines’, are forecast to remain below the 80% of seating capacity threshold at which we might expect perceptions of crowding and passenger satisfaction to be impacted. This conclusion is significant for the Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study for two reasons: • The options for further expansion at Liverpool Lime Street are limited – a potential approach could have been to withdraw some services from Liverpool Lime Street and instead merge them with the Merseyrail network (e.g. extend Hunts Cross services to Warrington and/or Kirkby services to Wigan). This reduces the number of options/scenarios required for further development in order to meet the conditional outputs for the study; and • It means that consideration of the longer-term options for Liverpool Lime Street can follow this study, taking a fuller account of emerging HS2 and NPR propositions. Merseytravel is in the process of developing a proposal West Kirby station: At the heart of the community linking North West Wirral to the Liverpool City Region. October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
10 Liverpool 2018 capacity Croston Suburban rail services arriving into central Figure 1: Morning peak hour (08:00 – 09:00 demand) Liverpool during the high peak hour 0800 to 0859 Liverpool 2018 capacity Croston Suburban rail services arriving into central Liverpool during the high peak hour 0800 to 0859 Euxton Rufford Balshaw Lane Southport Meols Cop Bescar Euxton Southport LaneRuffordNew Balshaw Lane Birkdale Meols Lane Cop Bescar Burscough New Hillside Lane Bridge Birkdale Lane Hillside Ainsdale Burscough Hoscar Bridge Burscough Ainsdale Freshfield Hoscar Parbold Burscough Junction Freshfield Formby Junction Parbold Appley Bridge Appley Bridge Ormskirk Formby Gathurst Hightown Ormskirk Gathurst Hightown Aughton Park Aughton Park Wigan Wigan Hall Road Hall Road North Western North Western Town Green Town Green BlundellsandsBlundellsands & Crosby & Crosby Maghull Orrell Maghull Bryn Orrell Waterloo Waterloo Old Roan Upholland Bryn Seaforth & Litherland Orrell Aintree Old Roan Upholland Rainford Garswood Park Orrell Aintree New Brighton Bootle New Seaforth & Litherland Strand Walton Kirkby Rainford Park Fazakerley Garswood New Brighton Wallasey Grove Road Bootle New Strand Walton Bootle Oriel Road Kirkby St. Helens Central Wallasey Village Rice Lane Fazakerley Wallasey Grove Road Bank Hall Bootle Kirkdale Oriel Road Thatto Heath St. Helens Central Leasowe Bidston Wallasey Village Sandhills Rice LaneEccleston Park Moreton Birkenhead North LIVERPOOL Bank Hall Newton Thatto Heath Kirkdale -le- Meols Leasowe Bidston Birkenhead Park Moorfields Wavertree Prescot Willows Hamilton Sandhills Technology St. Helens Eccleston Park Manor Road Moreton Upton Conway Park Square Birkenhead North Edge Hill LIVERPOOL Park Roby Rainhill Junction Newton Hoylake Birkenhead Park Liverpool Broad Huyton Whiston Wavertree Lea -le- Meols Birkenhead Central James Street Moorfields Green Green Earlestown Prescot Lime Street Hamilton Technology St. Helens Willows Manor Green Lane Liverpool West Road Kirby Conway Square Mossley Hill West Edge Allerton Hill ParkHough RobySankey for Rainhill Junction Upton Central Glazebrook Heswell Rock Ferry Park St. Michaels Cressington Hunts Cross Green Penketh Birchwood Hoylake Brunswick Lea James StreetAigburth Liverpool Broad Huyton Whiston Padgate Bebington Earlestown Birkenhead Central Lime Street Liverpool Halewood Widnes Green Warrington WarringtonGreen Port Sunlight South Parkway Bank Quay Central Green LaneSpital Liverpool Mossley Hill West Allerton West Kirby Neston Central Runcorn Hough Sankey for Heswell Rock BromboroughFerry Rake St. Michaels Cressington Hunts Cross Runcorn Green Penketh Bromborough Brunswick East Bebington Eastham Rake Little Ellesmere InceAigburth & Frodsham Liverpool Halewood Widnes Warrington Wa Hawarden Bridge Port Sunlight Sutton Port Elton Ce Hooton South Parkway Bank Quay Spital Helsby Overpool Stanlow & Neston Capenhurst Thornton Runcorn Bromborough Rake Bache Acton Bridge Runcorn Prestatyn Flint Shotton Bromborough Delamere East Mouldsworth Cuddington Eastham Rake Little Ellesmere Ince & Frodsham Hawarden Bridge Sutton Port Elton Hooton Helsby Overpool Stanlow & Capenhurst Thornton GREY LIGHT GREEN Bache Acton Bridge Prestatyn Flint Shotton GREEN GREY No direct service to central Liverpool durin Delamere DARK GREEN LIGHT GREEN Up to 70% of seats occupied on average www.projectmapping.co.uk AMBER Mouldsworth Cuddington RED GREEN Between 70% and 85% of seats occupied PURPLE GREY DARK GREEN No direct Between service to central Liverpool 85% during andpeak the high 100% of seats hour/out of scopeoccupie BLACK LIGHT GREEN Up to 70% of seats occupied on average AMBER Passengers standing, up to 1 passenger pe GREEN Between 70% and 85% of seats occupied on average DARK GREEN REDBetween 85% and 100% ofPassengers seats occupiedstanding, on average between 1 and 2 pas AMBER PURPLE Passengers standing, up to 1Passengers passenger per standing, square metrebetween on average 2 and 3 pas RED Passengers standing, between 1 and 2 passengers per square metre on average GREY PURPLE BLACK Passengers standing, between Passengers standing, 2 and 3 passengers overmetre per square 3 passengers on average pe LIGHT GREEN GREEN BLACK < > < > Passengers standing, over 3 passengers per square metre on average Indicates the most heavily loaded directio Indicates the most heavily loaded direction of travel shown for orbital services DARK GREEN www.projectmapping.co.uk AMBER Note: Note: Maghull North Maghull not shown North due to count not data shown obtained duethetoopening before countofdata obtained the station. befo RED Based upon a map designed by Andrew Smithers PURPLE Based upon a map designed by Andrew Smithers © 2017 www.projectmapping.co.uk BLACK © 2017 www.projectmapping.co.uk and reproduced with permission and reproduced with permission Hooton: Investment at stations to improve access for all through improved footbridges and lifts. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
11 Part C Where are we going? The Demand for Rail What does passenger demand growth mean for the Merseyrail network? Future Demand – 2024 and 2043 as demonstrated in Figure 4. For many of the services, The expected total growth in passenger demand most notably services from West Kirby and Southport, across the Merseyrail network is approximately 37% by seated capacity may be exceeded however, with more 2043. This equates to 1.4% growth per annum until standing capacity available on the new rolling stock, the end of Control Period 6 in 2024 and a subsequent there should be enough total capacity to 1.2% increase per annum between 2024 and 2043; accommodate growing demand. It should be noted this would mean over 15,000 passengers arriving in the that the delivery of any new station(s) on the network city centre stations on weekday mornings between will add additional demand to services which has not 08:00 and 08:59 in 2043, compared to approximately been taken into account for this study. 11,300 in 2018. The rail industry uses Department for The New Brighton, West Kirby, Ellesmere Port and Transport (DfT) forecasting guidance, coupled with a Kirkby services consist of 4-car trains in the baseline regional overlay to arrive at the 37% figure. Without ITSS. When total capacity is exceeded by demand on the regional overlay, DfT’s forecast for appraisal is 31% these services, it may be possible to lengthen them to to 2043. However, DfT and Network Rail have agreed 8-car services. Further work would have to be done to that additional, well evidenced scenarios can form part understand whether this would be the most of the information presented to decision makers in appropriate use of rolling stock. project business cases. The deployment of rolling stock in the future is Growth in passenger demand is good – a positive news dependent on a host of issues, however the rolling story within a wider regional renaissance – but this stock programme does consider the opportunity for growth will soon meet, and in some cases, exceed the procurement of further carriages. That said, the available capacity on trains and at stations. This is analysis described only covers demand into Liverpool particularly the case for the underground (central) city centre in the morning high peak. Shorter distance Liverpool stations, and the services arriving into them flows, outside the city centre, and weekend peak in the peak, which will face severe difficulties with times will also need to be considered as part of the crowding without intervention in the morning peak. new rolling stock strategy. The new fleet offers an Figures 2 & 3 (overleaf) show the forecast detail of opportunity for optimised deployment at the passenger demand growth in 2024 and 2043 appropriate times. respectively, in a weekday morning ‘high peak’ hour (08:00 – 08:59). The service level and rolling stock types are based on the agreed baseline Indicative Train Service Specification (ITSS) shown in Figure 4 (page 15). By 2024 demand will exceed seated capacity on the majority of Merseyrail services. However, the new rolling stock will provide sufficient capacity, according to DfT guidelines, on all services in the medium term, into the late 2030s. Note that there may be localised factors which could mean individual services on some routes are more heavily loaded than others over common sections of route. The potential for passenger crowding becomes more apparent by 2043, with no further committed schemes, as would be expected over that timescale The Liverpool City Region has consistently invested in expanding through continued background growth in patronage, park and ride provision, including here at Birkenhead North. October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
12 With the investment in new rolling stock and The arrival of this fleet (beginning in 2020 and infrastructure enhancements, opportunities may anticipated to be completed in 2021), with enhanced exist going forwards to realise journey time passenger capacity offers a strategic solution to meet improvements across the Merseyraill network. growing demand on the Merseyrail network. Analysis is expected as part of the new fleet Impact on the operational railway introduction, but there is also an expectation from the Combined Authority that the new fleet will The introduction of the new rolling stock brings with it encourage more passengers to use the rail network. a requirement to deliver an infrastructure upgrade, most notably a requirement to upgrade the power As discussed, increasing demand will mean more supply. The scope for the introduction of the new passengers standing for longer periods of time. rolling stock includes four new additional feeder points Where this exceeds the 20 minute guideline a range to boost the power capacity for the rolling stock. of options could be explored to address seating capacity issues, such as improved journey times, the Platform-train interface improvements are an integral introduction of semi-fast services on some routes component of the introduction of the new fleet. The and/or increased frequency of services. new trains feature a sliding step to reduce the stepping distance between carriage and platform, and other Overall the new fleet will supply enough total train-borne safety features to further mitigate risk. capacity to meet demand for morning commuters Infrastructure alterations were required at the majority into Liverpool city centre for the most part, at least of Merseyrail stations to reduce the stepping distance until 2043, given that background demand grows at for passengers and to standardise platform heights, as the expected pace. Network extensions will need to well as works at a number of stations to support be further analysed in terms of demand vs. capacity, operation of longer trains. The result will be a smooth as new demand to the network has the potential to transition for passengers with wheelchairs, pushchairs reduce available seating for passengers at existing and heavy luggage from the platform to the train (and stations close to the city centre. vice versa), and will remove the need for station staff to New rolling stock provide ramp access to trains. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is Conditional Outputs procuring new rolling stock for the Merseyrail Demand and capacity issues discussed earlier in this network. The new trains will comprise 4-car units chapter indicate that higher capacity rolling stock will and each unit will have approximately 60% more be beneficial in meeting demand for the Merseyrail total capacity (seated + standing) than the current network. Another potential driver of changes to Class 507/508s, however seated capacity alone will services are ’Conditional Outputs’, which have been remain at similar levels to today. used to determine the frequency, journey time and connectivity shown in the 2043 Indicative Train Service Specification to Figure 4 (Page 17). Table 1 below describes the conditional outputs for the 30 year planning horizon. These conditional outputs have been used to develop the choices for funders up to 2043. 2043 Indicative Train Service Specification The Conditional Outputs described above have been translated into a 2019 baseline, and an Indicative Train Service Specification (ITSS) for 2043. These ITSS’s are detailed in Figure 4 and are representative of an indicative peak hour. Each line represents one passenger train per hour (tph). Work is currently underway looking at the Wrexham – Bidston line which may lead to a review of the service frequency on the Wirral Lines in due course. This work will be reviewed as it emerges. The ITSS sets out the optimum way of meeting the conditional outputs, focusing on making best use of Conceptual images of the new rolling stock fleet. The new the network before considering options for new rolling stock provides a strategic solution to meet the growing demand on the Merseyrail network infrastructure. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
13 Liverpool Figure 2 Morning Peak Hour Demand on2024 capacity Northern Wirral and City lines in 2024 (Using rail industry growth Croston scenarios). Suburban rail services arriving into central Liverpool Liverpool 2024 capacity during the high peak hour Croston 0800 to 0859 Suburban rail services arriving into central Liverpool during the high peak hour 0800 to 0859 Euxton Rufford Balshaw Lane Southport Euxton Southport Rufford Meols Balshaw Lane Meols Cop Bescar Cop Bescar Lane New Lane New Birkdale Lane Birkdale Lane Burscough Hillside Bridge Burscough Ainsdale Hillside Hoscar Bridge Burscough Freshfield Parbold JunctionAinsdale Hoscar Formby Appley Bridge Ormskirk Burscough Hightown Freshfield Gathurst Parbold Aughton Park Junction Wigan Hall Road Formby North Western Appley Bridge Town Green Blundellsands & Crosby Maghull Orrell Ormskirk Gathurst Waterloo Hightown Bryn MANCHES Old Roan Upholland Aughton Park Wigan Seaforth & Litherland Orrell Aintree Park Hall Road Rainford Garswood North Western New Brighton Bootle New Strand Walton Kirkby Town Green Fazakerley Wallasey Grove Road Bootle Oriel Road Blundellsands & Crosby St. Helens Central Maghull Rice Lane Orrell Wallasey Village Bank Hall Waterloo Thatto Heath Bryn Leasowe Bidston Kirkdale Old Roan Upholland Sandhills Eccleston Park Moreton Birkenhead North L Seaforth I V E R& P Litherland OOL Orrell Aintree Newton Rainford Meols Birkenhead Park Wavertree PrescotPark -le- Garswood Moorfields WillowsKirkby Manor Road Conway New Brighton Hamilton Bootle Technology New Strand WaltonRainhill St. Helens Square Edge Hill Park Roby Junction Upton Park Fazakerley St. Helens Central Hoylake Wallasey Grove Road James Street Liverpool Bootle OrielBroad RoadHuyton Whiston Lea Earlestown Birkenhead Central Lime Street Green Green Green Wallasey Lane Village Liverpool Rice Lane West Kirby Central Mossley Hill BankWest HallAllerton Hough Sankey for Thatto Heath Glazebrook Rock Ferry Kirkdale Leasowe Heswell Bidston Brunswick St. Michaels Cressington Hunts Cross Green Penketh Birchwood Padgate Sandhills Eccleston Park LIVERPOOL Bebington Aigburth Halewood Widnes Warrington Warrington Moreton Port Sunlight Birkenhead North Liverpool Bank Quay Central Newton South Parkway Spital Birkenhead Park Wavertree -le- Meols Neston Moorfields Runcorn Prescot Bromborough Rake Hamilton Technology St. Helens Willows Runcorn Manor Road BromboroughConway Square Edge HillEast Rainhill Junction Park Roby Upton Eastham RakePark Little Ellesmere Ince & Frodsham Hoylake Hawarden Bridge Sutton Port Elton Liverpool Lea James Street Broad Huyton Whiston Earlestown Birkenhead Hooton Central Overpool Stanlow & Helsby Lime Street Green Green Capenhurst Green Lane Thornton Liverpool Mossley Hill West Allerton West Kirby Bache Central Delamere Acton Bridge Hough Sankey for Prestatyn Flint Shotton Heswell Rock Ferry Mouldsworth St. Michaels Cuddington Cressington Hunts Cross Green Penketh Brunswick Bebington Aigburth Liverpool Halewood Widnes Warrington Warrin Port Sunlight South Parkway Bank Quay Centra Spital Neston Runcorn Bromborough Rake Runcorn Bromborough East Eastham Rake Little Ellesmere Ince & Frodsham Hawarden Bridge Sutton Port Elton Hooton Helsby Overpool Stanlow & Capenhurst Thornton Bache Acton Bridge Prestatyn Flint Shotton Delamere Mouldsworth Cuddington GREY No direct service to central Liverpool during the high peak hour/out of scope LIGHT GREEN Up to 70% of seats occupied on average GREEN Between 70% and 85% of seats occupied on average DARK GREEN Between 85% and 100% of seats occupied on average AMBER Passengers standing, up to 1 passenger per square metre on average RED Passengers standing, between 1 and 2 passengers per square metre on average PURPLE Passengers standing, between 2 and 3 passengers per square metre on average BLACK Passengers standing, over 3 passengers per square metre on average < > Indicates the most heavily loaded direction of travel shown for orbital services Note: Maghull North not shown due to count data obtained before the opening of the station. Based upon a map designed by Andrew Smithers © 2017 www.projectmapping.co.uk and reproduced with permission October 2020 Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study
14 Liverpool Figure 3: Morning Peak Hour Demand2043 capacity on Northern Wirral and City lines in 2043 (Using railCroston industry growth scenarios). Suburban rail services arriving into central Liverpool 2043 capacity Liverpool during the high peak hour 0800 Croston to 0859 Suburban rail services arriving into central Liverpool during the high peak hour 0800 to 0859 Euxton Euxton Rufford Balshaw Lane Southport Rufford Balshaw Lane Southport Meols Meols Cop Bescar Cop Bescar Lane New Lane New Lane Birkdale Birkdale Burscough Lane Hillside Bridge Burscough Ainsdale Hillside Hoscar Bridge Burscough Freshfield Parbold Ainsdale Junction Appley Bridge Hoscar Formby Ormskirk Burscough Hightown Freshfield Gathurst Parbold Aughton Park Junction Wigan Hall Road Formby North Western Appley Bridge Town Green Blundellsands & Crosby Maghull Orrell Ormskirk Gathurst Hightown Waterloo Old Roan Upholland Bryn Aughton Park Wigan M Orrell Aintree Seaforth & Litherland Hall Road Rainford Garswood North Western New Brighton Park Kirkby Town Green Bootle New Strand Walton Blundellsands & Crosby Fazakerley Maghull St. Helens Central Wallasey Grove Road Bootle Oriel Road Orrell Wallasey Village Bank Hall Rice Lane Waterloo Thatto Heath Bryn Kirkdale Old Roan Upholland Leasowe Bidston Sandhills Seaforth & Litherland OrrellEcclestonAintree Park Moreton Birkenhead North LIVERPOOL Rainford Newton Garswood Park -le- Meols Birkenhead Park New Brighton Moorfields Bootle New Wavertree Strand Prescot Kirkby Hamilton TechnologyWalton St. Helens Willows Manor Road Conway UptonWallasey Square Edge Hill Park Roby Fazakerley Rainhill Junction St. Helens Central ParkGrove Road Bootle Oriel Road Hoylake Liverpool Lea James Street Broad Huyton Whiston Earlestown Birkenhead Central Wallasey Village Lime Street Rice Lane Green Green Lane Liverpool Bank Hall Green Thatto Heath West Kirby Mossley Hill West Kirkdale Allerton Leasowe Bidston Rock Ferry Central Hough Sankey for Glazebrook Heswell Sandhills Cressington Hunts Cross Green Penketh Eccleston Park Birchwood LIVERPOOL St. Michaels Brunswick Padgate Moreton Bebington Birkenhead North Aigburth Warrington Newton Liverpool Halewood Widnes Warrington Port Sunlight Birkenhead Park South Parkway Wavertree Bank Quay Central -le- Meols Moorfields Prescot Spital Hamilton Technology St. Helens Willows Neston Runcorn Manor Road Conway Bromborough Rake Square Edge Hill Rainhill Junction ParkRuncorn Roby Upton Park Bromborough East Hoylake Ince Liverpool Lea Eastham Rake James Little Ellesmere StreetPort & Frodsham Broad Huyton Whiston Earlestown Birkenhead Central Hawarden Bridge Sutton Elton Lime Street Green Green Hooton Helsby Green Lane Liverpool Overpool Mossley Hill West Allerton West Kirby Stanlow & Capenhurst Central Thornton Hough Sankey for Heswell Rock Ferry Bache St. Michaels Cressington Acton Bridge Hunts Cross Green Penketh Prestatyn Flint Shotton Brunswick Delamere Bebington Mouldsworth AigburthCuddington Liverpool Halewood Widnes Warrington Warrin Port Sunlight South Parkway Bank Quay Centra Spital Neston Runcorn Bromborough Rake Runcorn Bromborough East Eastham Rake Little Ellesmere Ince & Frodsham Hawarden Bridge Sutton Port Elton Hooton Helsby Overpool Stanlow & Capenhurst Thornton Bache Acton Bridge Prestatyn Flint Shotton Delamere Mouldsworth Cuddington GREY No direct service to central Liverpool during the high peak hour/out of scope LIGHT GREEN Up to 70% of seats occupied on average GREEN Between 70% and 85% of seats occupied on average DARK GREEN Between 85% and 100% of seats occupied on average AMBER Passengers standing, up to 1 passenger per square metre on average RED Passengers standing, between 1 and 2 passengers per square metre on average PURPLE Passengers standing, between 2 and 3 passengers per square metre on average BLACK Passengers standing, over 3 passengers per square metre on average < > Indicates the most heavily loaded direction of travel shown for orbital services Note: Maghull North not shown due to count data obtained before the opening of the station. Based upon a map designed by Andrew Smithers © 2017 www.projectmapping.co.uk and reproduced with permission Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
15 In summary, the ITSS can be accommodated on the core Merseyrail network, with enhancements required where services are proposed to extend beyond the existing network limits. Table 1: Conditional Outputs for the 30 year planning horizon Conditional Outputs used for the study Service Group Conditional Output(s) Analysis for service requirement (for 2043 ITSS) Hunts Cross • Increase capacity to meet demand through lengthening • New rolling stock satisfies increased demand. or increased frequency. Chester and • Increase capacity to meet demand through lengthening • New rolling stock satisfies increased demand (Chester). Ellesmere Port or increased frequency. • New rolling stock and lengthened services satisfies increased • Increase Chester – Liverpool average journey speed to demand (Ellesmere Port). 60mph. West Kirby, New • Increase capacity to meet demand through lengthening • New rolling stock satisfies increased demand (West Kirby and Brighton and or increased frequency. New Brighton). Wrexham • Provide direct connectivity between Wrexham and • Wrexham – Bidston services should be extended to support Liverpool. direct connectivity between Wrexham and Liverpool. . • Provide connectivity and service improvements between • Service frequency on ‘Borderlands Line’ should increase to two Neston and Liverpool (target Generalised Journey Time trains per hour (each direction).* (GJT) < 60 minutes). • Provide connectivity and service improvements between Shotton and Liverpool (target GJT < 60 minutes). Southport, • Increase capacity to meet demand through lengthening • New rolling stock satisfies increased demand (Southport, Ormskirk and or increased frequency. Ormskirk and Kirkby). Kirkby • Provide direct connectivity between Burscough and • Ormskirk services should be extended to Burscough Junction, and Liverpool to reduce GJT
16 Part D How do we get there? A strategy for the Liverpool City Region The future of the Merseyrail Network • The new higher capacity rolling stock will play a fundamental role in delivering the strategic priorities for the network • Infrastructure enhancements will be required to support the rolling stock • City centre stations will require further assessment to ensure all parts of the network play their full part in facilitating economic growth Context A number of options are in development, including The highest priority intervention for the Merseyrail deliverablility in the context of city centre connectivity, network is to roll out the fleet of new higher capacity impacts and opportunities at other stations and rolling stock. strategic spatial planning for the city centre. The new fleet will be supported by enhanced stations, Analysis has identified the following issues: power supply upgrades and a continuing pursuit of • Platform crowding – passenger demand, significantly safety risk reduction which are required to ensure the in the weekday PM peak and on Saturday afternoons, continued success of the Merseyrail network. can generate levels of crowding on platforms in In addition, extensions to the Merseyrail network could excess of that deemed acceptable. This is provide improved connectivity across the region. exacerbated by the substantial number of Stakeholders continue to develop thinking, including, passengers on platforms who do not board the first for example, the Liverpool John Lennon Airport link, train, instead waiting for a direct service to their Bootle Branch Line, and from Ellesmere Port to Helsby. destination. During periods of disruption, platform The ITSS for 2043 proposes a number of service loads can increase to the point which impedes further changes that require enhanced infrastructure to passengers entry to the platforms in a safe manner; support them, should funders choose to pursue and connectivity aspirations. • Platform clearance times – a combination of high Increased train capacity levels of passenger demand, and inadequate lifts and escalators from the underground platforms, can The new higher capacity rolling stock will cater for the result in lengthy times required to clear platforms forecast demand across the Merseyrail network to after the arrival of a train. This is most noticeable at 2043 and offers a strategic solution to meet growing Liverpool Central during the Weekday AM peak, passenger demand on the Merseyrail network. where it can take upwards of two minutes to clear the Impact on Liverpool Central Northern Line platform of arriving passengers. These This study has identified that increased demand will impact detrimentally on passengers’ journey times place additional pressure on Liverpool Central, through the station and their overall journey particularly passenger throughput capability on the experience, as well as affecting platform dwell times Northern Line platform. and network performance. Clearly an intervention will be required to alleviate this Work is underway to provide detailed quantification of issue and work is currently underway by the railway these issues, including estimating the timescales by industry to understand what might be required to which appropriate mitigation strategies must be meet this need. implemented. Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study October 2020
You can also read