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Tuesday 12 Aug 2014

Investment to transform Hamilton Square station

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Hamilton Square station in Birkenhead is to be redeveloped as part of ongoing investment in the railway in Merseyside.

Working with Merseyrail and Merseytravel, Network Rail will invest £4m in the station as part of its commitment to provide a better railway to meet the demands of an ever increasing number of passengers.

Passengers will benefit from improved platform and tunnel areas which will include new flooring, brighter lighting and better passenger information. The station will look cleaner, lighter and less cluttered and it will be easier for passengers to plan their journey.

To complete the upgrade, the station will be closed from Monday 29 September until spring 2015. Trains will continue to run through the station but won’t stop.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “This work will significantly improve Hamilton Square station and provide passengers with a better beginning or end to their journey.

“The redeveloped station will be a positive addition to the railway in Merseyside, building on the recent improvements made at Lime Street, Liverpool Central and James Street.

“The nature of the work means it can only be carried out while the station is closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause but passengers can be assured we are working closely with Merseyrail and Merseytravel to minimise disruption as possible.”

Maarten Spaargaren, managing director of Merseyrail, added: “We know that the temporary closure of the station is not good for customers in the short term, but I am confident that that the upgrade will make a big difference and people will really like the new look and feel. A lot of thought will go into improving signage and customer information, making travel on the network easier and more pleasant.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel, said: “There has been significant investment to improve station facilities across the railway network in the Liverpool City Region in the last few years and we’re delighted to once again work with Network Rail and Merseyrail on the next station in this large scale refurbishment programme.

“We appreciate that the work will involve some significant disruption to passengers who normally use the station in the short-term but we are confident that it will bring significant improvements for them in the longer term.”

A rail replacement bus service will be in place from Hamilton Square throughout the closure. Operating in a loop, it will take customers to Birkenhead Central and Conway Park.

Buses will run every five minutes between 7am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday, and every 10 minutes at all other times. The bus round trip will take about 15 minutes and 20 minutes at peak-times.

The work at Hamilton Square station is part of a ongoing project to improve all five stations in Liverpool city centre. Liverpool Central was redeveloped in 2012 and Lime Street and James Street in 2013. Moorfields is due to be refurbished next year.

Miller Construction is the contractor carrying out the upgrades on behalf of Network Rail. For further information on the work contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 08457 114 141.