PLANS to upgrade Lea Green Railway Station by creating a new building for passengers and a car park that would serve about 450 vehicles have been drawn up.

 

St Helens Borough Council announced today it was launching a consultation to seek views on plans to deliver "sustainable and active transport" improvements at one of the town's busiest railway stations, which is a key link to the cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

The Eastern Region Interchange and Connectivity scheme – a partnership between St Helens Council, the Liverpool City Region and Northern Rail – proposes a number of upgrades at Lea Green.

Since 2018 there has been more services stop at the station, including the Transpennine Express, offering wider opportunities to travel across the country.

Prior to the pandemic, there were issues regarding the car park becoming overcrowded, with commuters highlighting the issue to the Star.

According to the council, the plans focus on making sustainable transport an easy choice to make for commuters by linking up Lea Green with "dedicated pedestrian and cycling routes connecting nearby residential, leisure and employment areas".

This would include changes to the Bull and Dog junction to make it easier to use on foot or cycle – and providing links to a number of brownfield sites with planning permission for new homes nearby to encourage the developments to be more sustainable.

Plans for a new station include a building with waiting room and other customer facilities. There would be what the council describes as a "decked car park" which would increase the park and ride capacity to around 450.

St Helens Star:

It is believed this would be a car park on two levels, rather than a traditional multi-storey.

Residents, local businesses, and anyone connected to Lea Green railway station, are invited to take part in a short survey to help shape the project.

In a statement, Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “These plans intend to make walking and cycling an easier option and thereby encouraging active travel for short trips.

"It should also have a positive wider impact on our air quality and the environment through reduced vehicle pollution, with public transport encouraged for longer trips.

“Our intention is to make sure this scheme is fit for the future by planning in future development of nearby brownfield sites so that sustainable travel is built in from the start of developments to help create healthy habits from the beginning.

“Like any proposed planning development, it is important that the public form part of the process which is why we’d welcome any constructive feedback to help strengthen plans and make them the best they can be for all concerned.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said it is important to recognise "the need to make walking and cycling viable options as part of a journey and reduce the reliance on private vehicles to improve air quality in the city region".

He said: "We would always encourage people to take part in the engagement process on schemes like this so that their views can help shape the final proposals."

People can view the plans, watch an animation of the station proposals, and take part in the survey, by visiting: sthelens.gov.uk/leagreen

If you are not able to complete the survey online, contact the St Helens Council Contact Centre on 01744 676789 or contactcentre@sthelens.gov.uk to request the information in a different format.

The consultation will close on Monday, February 28.