Media centre

Thursday 4 Jun 2009

LIME STREET TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES

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The on-going transformation of Lime Street station into a showcase entrance to the city continues with the opening of new passenger facilities and retail outlets close to the long-distance platforms (7, 8 and 9).

The new buildings incorporate separate first and standard class passenger lounges, an information office, three retail outlets and cash machines, representing an investment of £3.4m in the station by Network Rail.

Cutting a ribbon to open the new buildings, Network Rail’s route director Jo Kaye said: “We have been working closely with the city planners to ensure the new building was acceptable, given that it had to fit in with the listed building status of the station. What we have is a modern facility that uses environmentally friendly glulam timber beams covered in wood veneers.

“It provides much needed seating and other services that were previously missing from the south side of the station and I hope that passengers appreciate and continue to benefit from them for many years to come.”

Following the ribbon cutting, two members of the Virgin Trains station team unveiled a plaque in the first class lounge.

Since Network Rail took over the day to day management of Lime Street station in November 2003, it has steadily improved a whole range of facilities to bring them up to a standard that passengers have come to expect. These include:-

· Substantial improvements to the CCTV system and the introduction of security staff, leading to the station receiving official ‘secure station’ status. This could only be achieved by demonstrating that Network Rail was effectively managing crime problems, and that the station design and such things as lighting, help points and easy access to telephones gave passengers reassurance while on the station.

· Relocated and improved toilets, including new parent & child/accessibility facilities, dedicated toilet attendants and the introduction of controlled access barriers. The barriers have significantly reduced antisocial behaviour to the extent that it is virtually non-existent.

· Improved and more energy efficient lighting and electronic control systems.

· A new taxi rank and drop off/pick up point in Skelhorne Street, complete with customer help points

· Improved public address system, customer information screens and station directional signs

More work is planned for the future including resurfacing platforms, removal of the glass block that currently houses the cash machines (which will open up the two concourses into one open space), replacement of the station boilers with a new, more energy efficient system and improved security systems.

In a separate Gateway project being led by Liverpool Vision, the eyesore known as Concourse House, together with several 1960s concrete shops, has been demolished to provide a new public open space and an accessible slope to the station entrance. There will be a new stairway with an accessible lift to street level.

The exposed archways to the front of the station will be repaired and new feature glazing installed to illuminate the southern concourse of the station. The Gateway work is expected to be completed early in 2010.