Merseyrail

File:Merseyrail logo.png
Overview
Franchise(s)	Merseyrail 20. July 2003 – 2028
Main Region(s)	Merseyside
Other Region(s)	North West Cheshire, South West Lancashire
Fleet size	59
Stations called at	67
Stations operated	66 (all except Chester)
Parent company	Serco-NedRailways
Reporting mark	ME
Technical
Length	120.7
Other
Website	www.merseyrail.org

Merseyrail is the name given to the predominately electric rapid transit hybrid metro/commuter rail network, centred on Liverpool in the metropolitan county of Merseyside in England. The system runs underground and overground, moving over 100,000 passengers per day through 67 stations.

The system is gaining in popularity with constant increased passenger levels, to the point there is serious overcrowding in some stations. Liverpool Central underground station is being reviewed for expansion or nearby re-location. Network Rail announced a programme in April 2009 to expand Merseyrail capacity by 30%, by improving passenger management and later adding more cars to trains with increased frequency.

The system is constantly being reviewed for expansion, primarily using disused tunnels, trackbed, existing freight lines and stations.

The Merseyrail name was used as the official brand for the network in the days of British Rail, and has stuck through several franchise holders, although the name was not used by the previous operator Arriva. Merseyrail is referred to as Merseyrail Electrics by National Rail Enquiries, and as Serco/Ned Railways Merseyrail by Merseytravel.

The Merseyrail system

Liverpool's Merseyrail (sometimes referred to as the Merseyrail Underground, or Merseyrail Electrics) is run on a similar basis as Germany's S-Bahn or Denmark's S-Tog.

The system is one of the most frequent metro-style British commuter systems outside London, transporting over 100,000 passengers a day.

Merseyrail services run on two lines, the Northern Line and Wirral Line, covering the Liverpool suburban area and greater Merseyside. Total track length is 120 km, 75 miles with 67 stations.

The Northern Line links Liverpool with:

• Southport
• Ormskirk
• Kirkby
• Hunts Cross

The Wirral Line, extending under the River Mersey, links Liverpool with:

• New Brighton
• West Kirby
• Chester
• Ellesmere Port

The two lines are entirely electrified, using a 750 V DC third-rail.

The City Line is not electric or Merseyrail owned. The City Line is not a physical part of the Merseyrail system, and does not form part of the Merseyrail franchise; it is a term used to cover local services that run through Merseyside and receive funding from Merseytravel. However the ticketing is seamless within Merseyrail. For example, a Merseyrail ticket can be bought at St. Helens to travel to West Kirby on the Wirral. The line is run with similar frequencies to the Merseyrail electric metro lines.

Unlike local train networks in other British cities, the regular frequencies on all lines provides for cross city connections:

• Northern and City Line services interchange at Liverpool South Parkway and Hunts Cross in the south of the city.
• Wirral and City Lines interchange at Lime Street in the city centre.
• Northern and Wirral lines interchange at Liverpool Central and Moorfields.

Frequencies are:

• Inner Section: Monday to Saturday: every 5 minutes.
• Urban Area: Every 15 minutes.
• Longer distance suburban destinations (such as Chester & Ellesmere Port): every 30 minutes.
• Sundays all destinations: every 30 minutes.
• Sundays Inner Section: every 15 minutes.
• Sundays Inner Section in summer months: 5 minutes.
• Trains run from before 6 a.m. until around midnight.
• Frequencies are maintained from first until last train, with additional services during peak hours.

History

Collection of Separate Railways

As with London's Underground, the system is made up of a collection separate railways. London created the London Underground metro system in the 1930s, while Liverpool created the Merseyrail metro in the 1970s, merging the railways at Liverpool city centre. The system is still not fully merged as there is no electrified Merseyrail link from the city centre to the important Edge Hill rail junction. This curtails expansion onto the extensive disused Liverpool rail infrastructure.

The three old railways that form the core of Merseyrail are the:

• Mersey Railway
• Wirral Railway
• The Liverpool to Southport and Ormskirk sections of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway

The underground sections in the centre of Liverpool and under the River Mersey to Birkenhead form the nucleus of the network. The Mersey Railway Tunnel was opened in 1886, running from Green Lane, Birkenhead and terminating at James Street in Liverpool. This route was extended to Liverpool Central in 1890. A branch to Birkenhead Park was added in 1888 to connect with the Wirral Railway and the original line extended to Rock Ferry to connect with the Birkenhead Woodside to Chester line in 1891.

Electrification

Electrification of the separate rail systems started in 1903 with the Mersey Railway. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line from Liverpool Exchange to Southport was electrified in 1906. Further electrifications on the old Wirral Railway line took place in 1937 (New Brighton and West Kirby). These electrified sections were in the 1970s merged into the current Merseyrail we have today with the construction of the 'Loop' and the 'Link' tunnels.

After the formation of Merseyrail, electrified additions were: 1985 (Hooton), 1993 (Chester) and 1994 (Ellesmere Port).

Creation of Merseyrail

The Loop and Link tunnels in Liverpool centre merged the rail systems into one. Two lines were created, the Northern Line and the Wirral Line.

The Wirral Line serves the Wirral and the Northern Line serves the Liverpool side of the River Mersey. The Northern line only serves the north and south of the city centre. There is no Merseyrail electrification to the east of the city as the link from the city centre to Edge Hill junction was not completed in the 1970s.

The construction of the Liverpool city centre single track Loop tunnel entailed that Wirral trains terminate in the Wirral at their respective terminals. The trains enter Liverpool centre, loop around the centre and back out to the terminus in the Wirral. The Loop under Liverpool city centre is a single-track tunnel, along which Wirral Line trains run clockwise. Trains enter from the Mersey river tunnel to James Street, Moorfields, Lime Street, Central, back to James Street and out back to the Wirral through the Mersey river tunnel again.

The Link is a twin-track tunnel, connecting the former three track Cheshire Lines Committee route in the south of Liverpool to the former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway lines in the north. Two stations are on the link tunnel: Liverpool Central and Moorfields. Moorfields replaced Liverpool Exchange station. The link tunnel creates one continuous line from the south of Liverpool through the city centre and out to the north, named the Northern Line.

The present twin island Northern Line platform at Liverpool Central was originally the terminus of the Wirral lines. The original tunnel between James St and Central stations has been retained to connect the Link and the Loop lines at James Street. This old tunnel is used for transfers of rolling stock, but never used for passenger services.

Diesel trains serve the east of Liverpool

The east of the city centre is served by diesel trains run by Northern Rail running under a badged Merseyrail logo under the name City Line. The City Line is not physically an integrated part of the Merseyrail metro system and terminates at Lime Street mainline station.

Merseyrail lines

Merseyrail map.

=== Northern Line ===

Main article: Northern Line (Merseyrail)

The Northern Line has four termination points.

1. Hunts Cross
2. Southport
3. Ormskirk
4. Kirkby

It is physically one line from Hunts Cross in the south to Southport in the north, running though Liverpool city centre, via Liverpool Central and Moorfields stations. There is a branch of this line to Ormskirk and further branch off the Ormskirk branch to Kirkby.

Each route has a train every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday giving a five-minute interval between trains on the central section.

Connections are available to the Wirral Line at:

• Moorfields
• Liverpool Central

Connections are available to the City Line at:

• Liverpool South Parkway
• Hunts Cross

Connections to other services are available at:

• Southport: To Wigan Wallgate.
• Hunts Cross: To Warrington Central and Manchester Piccadilly
• Ormskirk: To Preston
• Kirkby: To Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria.

Wirral Line

Main article: Wirral Line

The Wirral Line is one line with four branches. Each branch has only one terminating point:

1. New Brighton
2. West Kirby
3. Ellesmere Port
4. Chester

All trains run from their terminus to Hamilton Square station in Birkenhead, under the River Mersey, via the Mersey Railway Tunnel, and in a clockwise direction around the Liverpool city centre loop. Then back to the terminus on the Wirral via the Mersey Railway Tunnel.

Connections are available to the Northern Line at:

• Moorfields
• Liverpool Central

Connections are available to the City Line at:

• Liverpool Lime Street

Connections are available to other services at:

• Bidston: On the West Kirby branch, for the Borderlands Line to Wrexham operated by Arriva Trains Wales.
• Chester: To Holyhead and Manchester
• Ellesmere Port: To Warrington.
• Liverpool Lime Street: A main Line station with comprehensive routes throughout Britain.

Monday-Saturday services are every 15 minutes from Liverpool to New Brighton and to West Kirby, and every 30 minutes to Chester and Ellesmere Port (Monday - Sunday). These combine to give a service every five minutes around the Liverpool city centre Loop.

City Line

Main article: City Line (Merseyrail)

This line is not part of the Merseyrail franchise and neither is it operated by the electric stock. Nevertheless, the lines that form this line are sponsored by Merseytravel and - with the exception of long distance services - are branded as if they were Merseyrail services, despite being operated by Northern Rail. Broadly speaking, it includes the Liverpool to Wigan Line and the two alternative branches making up the Liverpool to Manchester Line.

Non-Merseyrail City Line Services

Other trains operated by First Transpennine Express, Virgin Trains and London Midland trains to Crewe, Runcorn and Birmingham also run on the ‘City Line’. However, these are not referred to as ‘City Line’ services as they are long distance services and only serve two or three stations in Merseyside, such as Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool South Parkway, Hunts Cross or Newton-le-Willows. The First TransPennine Express will begin calling at Liverpool South Parkway by the next timetable change.

Problems With The System

No direct connection to business quarter

If business visitors to the city alight at main line Lime Street Station, there is no direct connection from The Merseyrail low level station beneath to Moorfields station in the city's business sector.

No electrified line from centre to Edge Hill

There is no electrified line from the city centre to the vital Edge Hill rail junction. This curtails electrification and merging of the City Line to St. Helens into the Merseyrail metro. Expansion onto the extensive disused Liverpool rail infrastructure is curtailed. There was to be a connection using the Wapping Tunnel in the 1970's, however only a few feet of tunneling was cut from the Northern Line tunnel before cancellation.

Ticketing is old fashioned

The London Underground style Oyster Card system is is an example to adopt initially. Busses can be merged into the ticketing system eventually.

Signage is poor

Signs and large system maps seen in other metro systems around the world are near absent in Merseyrail stations. Any maps and signs at stations are small.

Merseyrail promotion is near absent

In London the population regard the London Underground as the core of the transport system, with all others supplementing the metro. In Liverpool the bus service is regarded as the core transport system with Merseyrail as a system to travel to the outer reaches of Merseyside.

Poor Image

Merseyrail is generally not perceived as a modern flagship rapid transit rail system by the people of Merseyside - which it clearly is. The old fashioned dirty trains and grubby litter-strewn stations image still prevails. The scruffy appearance of Liverpool city centre James Street station for many years, justified this image. However, gradual modernisation of stations is changing the image slowly.

Enforcement of Standards

Feet on seats

Merseyrail employs a team of officers who enforce railway by-laws relating to placing feet on seats, travelling without tickets, and other aspects of anti-social behaviour. Merseyrail is the only UK train operator to take such a vigorous approach, a stand which Merseyrail claims has proved popular with commuters and has reduced anti-social behaviour on the system.

The enforcement of this bye-law by Merseyrail was judged to be 'Draconian' in September 2007, when Kathleen Jennings, 19 was taken to court by Merseyrail over the feet on seats bye-law. She is a student teacher and would have been banned from working in schools had she received a criminal record. The offender was given an absolute discharge. Merseyrail stated that they didn't want to take offenders to court, but weren't allowed to fine offenders otherwise, unlike people who smoke on trains or station platforms.

The Franchise

Following the privatisation of the Great Britain rail network, the Merseyrail service was run first by MTL under the name Merseyrail Electrics, then Arriva Trains Merseyside, before its award to a consortium of Serco and NedRailways (a division of Nederlandse Spoorwegen) in 2003. The current franchise is contracted to the consortium for an initial 25-year period. The Merseyrail franchise, referred to officially as a "contract", is awarded by the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive rather than the Department for Transport which issues all other franchises. The only other exception is the franchise for the London Overground network, awarded by Transport for London in 2007. Merseyrail is given such exception because the franchise is self-contained and separate from the rest of the British railway network - no other services normally run over the third-rail network. As a result of this isolation, the franchise-holder is keen to adopt vertical integration - taking responsibility for maintenance of the track from Network Rail. The current Franchise Manager is Dave Davenport.

Performance

Operating as a self-contained network there are relatively few problems because of less conflict with other TOCs. Merseyrail has publicly committed to aiming to be the best train operating company in the UK . The latest figures released by the Office of Rail Regulation report that Merseyrail's PPM is 92.8% and the MAA is 94.7%. This makes Merseyrail one of the best performing operators of the third quarter of the financial year 2008/9.

Fleet

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Unit numbers	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Class 507		electric multiple unit	75	120	32	507001-021, 023-033	Northern Line Wirral Line 1978
Class 508/1		electric multiple unit	75	120	27	508103, 104, 108, 110-112, 114, 115, 117, 120, 122-128, 130, 131, 134,	136-141, 143 Northern Line [[Wirral	Line]] 1979 - 1980 } Services on the Merseyrail network are operated by the 1978-built Class 507 and 1979-built Class 508 Electric multiple units. These replaced pre-war Class 502 (originally constructed by the LMS) and almost identical Class 503 Electric multiple units. There are a total of 59 trains in service on the network. Twelve 508s were transferred to Connex South Eastern in 1996, a further three were transferred to Silverlink to supplement their fleet of Class 313 Electric multiple units in North London. One Unit 507022 was scrapped after a collision with 507004 in 1991 and 508118 has been cut up after having been gutted by an arson attack. Merseyrail's specially vinyled 507019 unit, made to celebrate Liverpool's capital of culture year. The fleet is maintained and stabled at either Kirkdale TMD or Birkenhead North TMD, the two depots on the network. Minor repair works and stock cleaning takes place at Kirkdale, while overhauls are completed at Birkenhead. Other depots at Hall Road and Birkenhead Central have since been closed. The fleet has recently been internally and externally refurbished, involving units being transported to and from Eastleigh works behind Class 67 locomotives. An assessment is currently taking place as to whether it would be viable to reopen the Birkenhead Central depot, which would increase the efficiency of Merseyrail services. The Merseyrail fleet is due for renewal in 2013. To celebrate Liverpool's successful 2008 European Capital of Culture bid, Merseyrail named one of their train sets (508136) 'Capital of Culture'. Interestingly, a previous ceremony took place where Cherie Blair, the wife of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, named 508143 Capital of Culture. Currently, 508136 bears simple vinyl stickers. In February 2008 the first of four sets in a special Capital of Culture promotional livery was released. Set no. 508134 has been emblazoned in a purple livery showcasing the "creative" element of the city. Three more have since followed in blue "maritime", green "heritage" and red "sport" colours. From July 2008, four trains are being named after true Merseyside icons following a poll in local newspaper, the Liverpool Echo. The first, named 'Red Rum', was unveiled at Southport on 14 July, 2008 by Ginger McCain. Three more have followed, named 'Bob Paisley', 'Dixie Dean' and 'John Peel'. A number of Northern Rail Class 142 Diesel Multiple Units are in Merseyrail yellow livery, ostensibly for City Line services, but these can and do turn up all over the Northern network - they have often been seen as far away as Carlisle. Several Class 150 sets also wore the Merseytravel yellow livery for several years, but have since been repainted into other liveries. Merseyrail formerly had four Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives for shunting, sandite trains, engineering works and other departmental duties; two of these had been repainted in the yellow livery of the previous franchise holder. These locomotives were sold to a preservation company in 2002. On-train announcements All Merseyrail trains have automated on-board announcements voiced by Julie Berry, who also voices for Southern, Heathrow Connect and the London Underground Piccadilly line. Announcements are displayed in the following format: "Welcome to this Merseyrail service to D, calling at A, B, C and D." "This train is for D. The next station is A." "We are now approaching B. Please change here for stations to E." "This is D, where this train terminates. Please make sure you have all your personal belongings with you when leaving the train. Thank you for travelling with us." A catalogue of other announcements may be played by the driver or guard, such as, "Customers are reminded that they should keep their feet off the seats." and "Due to engineering work, this train will terminate at the next station, where a rail replacement bus service will be provided for your onward journey. We apologise for the inconvenience." Future There have been various suggestions for ways to enlarge the Merseyrail network. Some would extend beyond the current area, whilst others would use former existing lines or track beds. In about 2013 the current Merseyrail fleet will need to be replaced, if trains capable of use beyond the DC network are selected as replacements then various expansions can be achieved without electrification of the entire new route. Future Fleet Extending Existing Rolling Stock Types The Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for Merseyside has called for additional trainsets, particularly on peak-time services. Both Southeastern and London Overground have withdrawn their small fleets of Class 508s which would allow them to be cascaded to Merseyrail. Merseyrail's fleet is due for replacement in 2011, (according to the Local Transport Plan for Merseyside), while the lease on the Class 507/508 fleet ends in 2014. The RUS makes note of the benefits of dual voltage Electric multiple units, which can be utilised on both the third rail Merseyrail network and those lines which have overhead wires. Tram-Trains Network Rail have suggested that tram-trains could be a solution to connecting more areas of Merseyside to the rail network. Operating tram-trains would allow street running which could potentially relieve pressure on the underground section of the network, and increase frequency to other destinations, in addition to connecting other destinations with the centre of Liverpool. This is a long-term aspiration suggested for around 2024. Heavy Rail to a Medium Capacity System The Merseyrail heavy rail system is a legacy of the past. One approach with great advantages, is to update the Merseyrail system to a more advanced Medium capacity system. The existing heavy rail rolling stock can be replaced gradually with lighter rail stock, similar to use on the London Docklands Light railway, however, ideally trains with higher speeds. This would give more cars to a train, however in off-peak times only a small number of these shorter, lighter, more economical to run cars need be used. A great advantage is that smaller lighter rail cars can negotiate tighter curves than longer heavy rail train cars. This has flexible advantages constructing tighter curves when extending Merseyrail. On certain lines heavy rail dual power trains could remain, such as the proposed Wrexham to Liverpool Line if electrified. Electrification Many suggestions and proposal to electrify lines and merge into Merseyrail have been put forward. Ideally diesel City Line run by Northern Rail to St Helens would merge into the Merseyrail metro system. The Wrexham line to Bidston would be a logical addition. Halton Curve Reinstatement of the curve at Halton south of Runcorn and electrify between Ellesmere Port and Helsby, has also been suggested by Halton Council. This gives access to Liverpool city centre and John Lennon airport. Burscough Curve Electrification from Ormskirk to Preston would re-establish the most direct Liverpool-Preston route. This, coupled with the reinstatement of the Burscough curves and possibly Midge Hall station, would allow direct Preston-Southport and Ormskirk-Southport services and provide an alternative Liverpool-Southport route. Kirkby to Skelmersdale/Wigan Another possible extension of Northern Line services, filling in a gap in the electrified network, would be from Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate. This was originally planned to take place during the construction of the Loop and Link tunnels, but financial constraints at the time meant that only electrification to Kirkby was possible, in 2007 funding is in place to extend electrification to a new station beyond Kirkby at Headbolt Lane. A short extension to Skelmersdale is reported as being imminently feasible to bring onto Merseyrail a town of 30,000 people. This would give Skelmersdale direct access to Liverpool city centre's shopping and business districts. Bootle - Aintree The re-opening of part of the North Mersey Branch line between Aintree and Bootle New Strand stations to passenger services is included in Sefton's transport plan. This would involve using Sefton Junction and would enable the reopening of Ford and Linacre Road stations, along with the possibility of a further two stations also on this stretch of line. Wrexham Line Wrexham in North Wales, have been wanting to be on Merseyrail for access to Liverpool city centre and John Lennon airport. This entails electrification from Bidston to Wrexham line. When Network Rail quoted £207 million for 3rd rail electrification Merseytravel requested quotes for cheaper overhead wires, entailing dual pick up trains to run on Merseyrail. This enables Wirral and North Wales trains running into James St, onto Central and out onto the Northern Line to Liverpool South Parkway and hopefully, eventually a station at John Lennon airport. This will give direct access to people from Chester, Wrexham, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton and West Kirby to Liverpool centre, Liverpool south docks, the arena if the partially underground St James' station is re-opened, and onto South Parkway. In the 1970's a part of the original tunnel between Liverpool Central and James Street was used by the new Northern Line. The remaining part of that tunnel was retained as a shunting tunnel. This shunting tunnel from James Street station to Central station may be re-used for passengers, primarily to accommodate the Wrexham line, f this line is merged into Merseyrail. This gives direct access to John Lennon airport via Liverpool South Parkway. Reopening Canada Dock Branch Line The Canada Dock Branch is a line running from Edge Hill Junction in the east of the city in a long curve to Canada Dock in the north of the city. The line is currently a busy freight-only diesel line. The line could be reopened to passengers, allowing the reopening of stations along its length: Spellow, Walton & Anfield, Breck Road, TueBrook, Stanley and Edge Lane. The line from Edge Lane would continue through to the used Edge Hill station and terminate at main line Lime Street. The line passes under Kirkdale in a tunnel and through a cutting. An interchange station could be placed in the cutting. This would provide a connection from the electrified Merseyrail Northern Line to Liverpool Lime Street. At Lime Street or Edge Hill stations there is a connection to the City Line that runs east of the city. However diesel trains would need to be used on this line. The line would be limited being only from Kirkdale to Lime Street. Ideally, the line could be electrified and branch into the Northern Line at Kirkdale giving full direct access to Liverpool city centre and the south of the city to South Parkway. No connecting station then would need to be built in the cutting at Kirkdale. If the line is electrified, dual pickup trains, third rail and overhead wires, could be used. The trains could run on the third rail Northern Line from Kirkdale and using overhead wires along the line and into Lime Street. Using main line Lime Street station is not ideal for a commuter train, as valuable long haul platforms are used. At Lime Street it is a compromise as there will be no direct train access to Lime Street low level station beneath the main line station above. If the 1970's scheme to branch into the Wapping Tunnel from Central station and re-commission the tunnel went ahead, then the Canada Dock branch would have direct access to the city centre, and the Wirral if need be from Edge Hill. The great advantage is that a loop is then formed via Edge Hill and Kirkdale giving great flexibility of logical line creation and train routing. Also the Wapping Tunnel can give direct access to the Liverpool Arena at Kings Dock. In July 2007 it was suggested that Liverpool FC could partially fund the reopening of this line to provide a direct rail link to their proposed new Stanley Park Stadium. If trains capable of use beyond the electrified network are selected as replacements, "then the case for bringing the Bootle Branch into passenger service operation will be examined". There is now some suggestion about introducing passenger services on this line in the Local Transport Plan for Merseyside. The Canada Dock Branch line has many merits for re-used for passengers if Liverpool FC build their new Stanley Park Stadium in Anfield. A new large throughput station was suggested for the new stadium. City planners are reported to be cold on any stadium expansion over 60,000, with a large throughput station as a precursor. The English FA have applied for the 2018 and 2020 World Cup. The City of Liverpool is running for host city. The City Council, Everton FC and Liverpool FC are working together on the proposal. The city Council have repeatedly attempted to have the two clubs build a shared world-class stadium. Such a stadium would most certainly entail the re-use of the Canada Dock Branch for passenger traffic with a dedicated large throughput station. Greater success of the Canada Dock Branch line can only be guaranteed if electrified, meshing into the existing Merseyrail metro system. Using diesel trains will give only a line from Lime Street to Kirkdale, giving a highly limited service and only used heavily on football match days. To cope for the proposed 73,000 capacity of the Stanley Park Stadium, the Canada Dock branch line needs electrification and re-opened passenger stations merged into the Merseyrail metro system. North Liverpool Extension The original 1975 plan for Merseyrail included the use of the southern section of the North Liverpool Extension Line at least as far as Gateacre. A junction at Broad Green was required to take the line into Edge Hill Junction. This was planned however the plan was abandoned. There has been no suggestions that this line would be re-opened. If the branch into the Wapping Tunnel from the Northern Line at Central station goes ahead, then the works for creating the junction at Broad Green can be justified. Much of the line is now a footpath. Justification for opening this line depends on other parts of the system being re-opened and whether surveys indicate that passenger levels and environmental concerns are justified. North Mersey Branch Proposals to open this section as part of Merseyrail's Northern Line have been put forward in Sefton's transport plan. The first details to emerge about a possible reopening being published by the media on 28 February 2008. The Crosby Herald newspaper reported that the line could be reopened in conjunction with Liverpool FC's Stanley Park Stadium, to provide additional transport links via the town of Litherland. The line is currently a single track and used by engineering maintenance trains. The Network Rail consultation document stated: The possibility of running passenger trains along the North Mersey and Bootle branches was examined by the RUS and cannot yet be recommended. However, future development and regeneration could lead to increased demand for such services. Any such passenger services would need to be implemented in a way that ensures current and future freight demand can be accommodated. There is also a possibility in the longer term of using other infrastructure, including the disused Wapping and Waterloo tunnels, to provide new journey opportunities. Historic Map showing some of the lines around Liverpool Skelmersdale Line The reinstatement of the line to Skelmersdale has been proposed, "requiring two mile rail restoration to re-establish a link to a town of 35,000" . This is presumably the Skelmersdale Branch line to Rainford Junction on the Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate line or to Ormskirk, the Ormskirk route being more intact. Halton Curve near Runcorn The opening of the Halton Curve, south of Runcorn, to passenger traffic to provide a Liverpool-Runcorn-North Wales connection is under consideration, with an additional station on the curve. Wrexham and Chester would access John Lennon airport via the Runcorn-Widnes bridge, one of the prime reasons for wanting the curve re-instated. If the Halton Curve is re-instated it is not certain the line would be on Merseyrail. If Merseyrail do operate the line, dual pickup trains would be an advantage as part of the line is already electric overhead wires. If the Halton Curve is re-instated and Merseyrail electric lines are run to Liverpool South Parkway from Ellesmere Port, Merseyrail will circle the River Mersey via the Mersey Rail tunnel and the Runcorn-Widnes bridge. New Works File:FutureMerseyrail.jpg Diagram of proposed 1970's system :In the 1970s, during planning work for the Merseyrail underground in Liverpool city centre, there was two proposals to use parts of the Wapping Tunnel or Waterloo Tunnel (Victoria Tunnel) to connect Liverpool Central and Edge Hill junction, the central core of the Liverpool rail system. This would have given from Liverpool city centre Merseyrail metro electric services to St Helens in the east and access to Liverpool's north-end and south-end loop lines, when the lines were electrified. The Wapping Tunnel was selected for reuse over the Waterloo Tunnel and branch tunnel boring work was started from Central Low Level station. The work was stopped, mainly due to the successful objections of the local Tory MP at Broad Green. He objected to the disruption of the works realigning the Broad Green junction, which is east of Edge Hill. The Broad Green junction and the branch into the Wapping Tunnel from Central station would have given Liverpool an essential city re-generating highly comprehensive metro system with great scope to expand. It would also keep local services out of main line Lime Street station, releasing that station for long haul routes only. Following the collapse of the Merseytram scheme in 2006 proposals are being considered to reuse both tunnels. The Waterloo Tunnel is over 2 miles long and the Wapping Tunnel is 1.25 miles long, both running under Liverpool city centre. The original 1970's scheme would be relatively cheap as the tunnels are in place. A station at the river portal of the Wapping tunnel would appear essential as it is opposite the Liverpool Arena. Connecting the city centre to Edge Hill offers so much scope for expansion of the whole Merseyrail metro network. A proposal to reuse the tunnels. Could Expand into a Regional Railway Merseyrail is in danger of expanding into a regional rail system rather than remaining a metropolitan rail system if extended to Wrexham in North Wales and Halton. Many critics consider that Merseyrail should focus limited resources on expanding inside its current system, serving its targetted population, particularly in Liverpool, where extensive disused tunnels, stations, lines and track exist. Stations Merseyrail/Merseytravel is undertaking a programme to refurbish and build new stations. Refurbishment of other city centre stations are also planned. Bootle Oriel Road - Now complete. Sandhills Station - An interchange for the Northern Line branches along with football buses to Anfield and Goodison Park, has undergone refurbishment. James Street underground station - In the City Centre, has re-opened after being refurbished and is the nearest station to the new Liverpool One complex. References External links Official Website Travel Wise: Merseyrail Future network map Extending Merseyrail