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Time lapse video of rail bridge installation
August saw the completion of works to install a new rail bridge over County Road in Kirkby for the Headbolt Lane station scheme. You can see how this was done in our time-lapse video below;
https://publish.twitter.com/?url=https://twitter.com/LpoolCityRegion/status/1575455362085527553
Autumn 2022 Works update
Between now and the end of November we will be continuing important work including:
• Construction of the road bridge on the main site
• Install of the second track between Headbolt Lane and Kirkby
• Install of new signals and power supply for the railway
• Telecoms enhancements to the railway
• The continuation of the main car park construction
• The continuation of platform work
• Station building construction to commence
• Knowsley Council continuing the combined footpath cycleway construction along Headbolt Lane
To deliver this work, we will be using a variety of plant and machinery, including cranes, piling rigs, excavators, dumpers and road rail track machines.
Where possible, we will complete noisier work during the day to reduce any impact or inconvenience to local residents. Unfortunately, certain jobs can only be carried out at night when trains aren’t running.
The below plan is for when we have engineering trains coming in on night shifts (between 7pm and 7am). These trains are to remove and bring in all the old rail, soil and railway stone (ballast) required for the construction. This work is noisy and although we have taken additional measures to reduce the noise, we cannot prevent it completely. Network Rail apologises in advance for any disturbance this may cause.
These night shifts may be subject to change due to strike action, variances in productivity or other unforeseen circumstances. This work can only be undertaken outside of normal railway operating hours to prevent passenger service cancellations.
Work on new enabling works associated with the new station which began in May are progressing well with the old underpass having been filled in and new segregated footways and cycleways completed as well as earthworks on Public open spaces close to Southcroft Drive. This work is being delivered by Tarmac/HA Civils on behalf of Knowsley Council. The Council has also undertaken engineering works to ensure that traffic signal installations can progress across County Road and Headbolt Lane ahead of the opening of the new station
The footway/cycle path work along Headbolt Lane between County Road and Fallowfield on the side of the new railway station is the latest phase of the planned works, envisaged to be completed by mid October after which there will be some resurfacing and traffic calming measures introduced along Headbolt Lane.
All footway/cycleway infrastructure works are expected to be completed on programme this year.
Should you have any questions or queries regarding the overall project, or any sections mentioned above, please feel free to contact our 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or via www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus stating Reference: WKL2 28Miles 1340Yards.
County Road bridge works complete
Works to install a new railway bridge over County Road in Kirkby as part of the new Headbolt Lane station scheme have been completed on schedule, allowing the road to re-open to traffic.
The new bridge forms part of the £80m Headbolt Lane station scheme and will enable the track improvements between the new station and the existing Kirkby station, supporting the Merseyrail and Northern services that will operate from the station.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: “We’re incredible grateful for the patience shown by residents while these works were carried out to install the new rail bridge on County Road. The new bridge will help us deliver the station at Headbolt Lane and connect residents in the area to the local rail network for the first time, opening up opportunities to travel for education, work and leisure. This is another step on our journey towards Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ambition of building a London-style transport system for our region, making getting around as quick, cheap, clean and reliable wherever you live.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The progress being made on Headbolt Lane is very encouraging and I know residents are excited at the prospect of a new station opening next year. It is something Kirkby residents have wanted for a long time. It will improve transport options for residents in the Tower Hill and Northwood areas, providing improved access to employment, including Knowsley Business Park, and education opportunities.”
Philippa Britton, principal programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “While work to build a new station at Headbolt Lane is ongoing, we are delighted to have installed a new railway bridge that enables the line from Kirkby to extend to the new Headbolt Lane station, helping transform the Merseyrail network. We recognise this important bridge work has caused some disruption in the local area. We are very grateful to residents and commuters for their patience and understand during this time.”
It is expected that the new station will open to passengers in Summer 2023.
Headbolt Lane Station - mid summer works update
We have reached the stage of the Station build that requires the replacement of the bridge on County Road. Although we are completing as much of the work as possible during the day to reduce the impact to local residents, there are times we must work at night to make sure work is completed within the 6-week railway closure, unfortunately this will be noisy at times. We will be working on site 24 hours a day for the 6-week railway closure, here's a breakdown of the times we expect the noisier work to take place;
Between 23rd July until 30th August (inclusive) County Road will be closed between the junctions of St Kevin's Drive and Headbolt Lane, resulting in diversions to local Stagecoach bus services 14A and 20. Amended route details can be viewed here . For all road and footpath closures, diversionary routes and signage will be in place.
These additional works will also be taking place between now and September;
Headbolt Lane Station June / July update
We are aware over the last few weeks of a number of concerns raised by local residents about the noise being emitted from site at night. We are sorry to hear about the inconvenience being caused and want to tell you more about the work we are completing and the mitigations we have put in place.
Currently, the team on site are widening the embankment to accommodate the new platforms and additional railway track. As you will appreciate, this can only take place at night due to the close proximity of the live railway line.
The noisy night-time work was originally scheduled to continue until 22 July 2022 however Network Rail decided to increase the number of machines and people working on each shift to reduce the number of noisy nightshifts required. As a result this element of work is due to be completed by Monday 4 July 2022. To mitigate some of the disturbance further, noise mitigations are being implements to the vehicles on site which reduces the beeping sound as they move around the site.
In other news, a closure of the railway line between Wigan Wallgate and Kirkby will take place with buses replacing trains Monday - Saturday from 18th July - 29th August inclusive (no service operates on a Sunday). Bus timetables and stop location details can be obtained at; https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/headbolt-lane
Other works relating to the station build will see County Road scheduled to be closed to vehicles between Saturday 23 July and Tuesday 30 August. Read more about that at https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/kirkbys-county-road-to-close-to-vehicles-for-five-weeks-as-part-of-headbolt-lane-station-project/
Finally, to help visualise the project at hand you may like to view this time lapse video of the bridge works, completed over the recent Jubilee bank holiday;
Headbolt Lane Station - May 2022 newsletter
Between now and October, we have 3 main pieces of work that are due to take place. These consist of bridge strengthening and widening, a bridge replacement on County Road and platform work.
Bridge strengthening and widening
Over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend from Wednesday 01 June until Monday 06 June 2022, rail replacement buses will be running between Rainford and Kirkby station while we strengthen the bridge at the entrance to Millbrook Millennium Green off Mill Lane and Boyes Brow. To complete this work as quickly as possible, we will be working 24/7 whilst the trains aren’t running. Staff will use road rail vehicles, a large crane, concrete wagons, hand tools and site lighting .
In order to complete this, along with some preparation and follow up work, Mill Lane and Boyes Brow will be closed over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
The footpath entrance to Millbrook Millennium Green will also be closed from:
• Wednesday 01 June 2022 until Monday 06 June 2022
• Monday 27 June 2022 until Friday 01 July 2022
A diversionary route will be in place along with necessary signage. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Mill Lane, Boyes Brow and Millennium Green closure
Bridge replacement
From Saturday 16 July until Wednesday 31 August 2022, rail replacement bus services will be in place between Rainford and Kirkby station while we replace the railway bridge on County Road. The replacement bridge being installed will support 2 new railway lines, allowing trains to stop at Headbolt Lane.
Once in place, new tracks, sleepers (which secure the rails together) and railway stone will be moved into place. To complete this work, staff will be using road rail vehicles, a large crane, concrete wagons, hand tools and site lighting. During this time, we will be working near County Road 24-hours a day, so some noise is to be expected however, the work has been carefully planned so that the noisier sections are completed during the day where possible. We are really sorry for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience while this improvement work takes place.
To keep everybody safe, County Road will be closed from 23 July 2022 until 30 August 2022 . A diversionary route will be in place along with necessary signage. There will also be lane closures from 11 June 2022 until 15 June 2022 and 18 June 2022 until 24 June 2022.
County Road closure
Platform installation
Between Wednesday 01 June to Monday 31 October 2022 , we will begin work on the new station platforms. This will predominantly take place during daytime hours, Monday to Friday, to reduce the impact to local residents.
Staff will use both hand and power tools to complete this work, along with some railway machinery to install foundations.
Cabling
Additionally, we are also due to start installing new cables and sections of track between Kirkby Station and Headbolt Lane. The work will take place each night (excluding Fridays) from now until May 2023 so you may notice an increase in staff and machinery on the railway line near your property.
Please note that this work is taking place over 1.5 miles so although there may be a slight disturbance at times, it will only be for a short period of time before they move further down the line.
Railway vehicles and machines will be used to deliver the cables and new rails to site.
We will be back in touch with further details about future work in due course however, for more information about the project, please visit https://headboltlane.commonplace.is/ or telephone our 24/7 National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 – this number can also be used if you have any questions about the scheme or the work taking place.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding while the work takes place and assure you that we’ll do all we can to keep noise to a minimum where possible.
Additional Information - Footpath and subway work to be completed by Knowsley Council
Work on new footways and cycle paths associated with the new station began on Monday 16 May and will continue until December 2022. This work will be delivered by Tarmac/HA Civils on behalf of Knowsley Council. The footway/cycle path work will include the infilling of the pedestrian underpass underneath Headbolt Lane, the raising of general land levels, the installation of a new Toucan crossing facilities close to Southcroft Drive and traffic calming measures on Headbolt Lane.
As part of this work, there will be a small pedestrian diversion route via Southcroft Drive and Fallowfield which will be suitably signed. If you have any concerns or queries about this section of work mentioned above, you can contact Tarmac on 0800 023 2334.
Headbolt Lane Station update - drop in event
Network Rail, in partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council, has started work on the £80m Headbolt Lane station scheme. This work means we’ll be extending the Merseyrail train service from Kirkby to a new station off Headbolt Lane, which will help improve transport links for the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of the town.
To provide more information about the work we are completing and the benefits the new station will offer, we will be holding a drop-in event on Thursday 17 March between 4pm and 7pm at:
Centre 63, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby, Liverpool, L32 5TH
Throughout the afternoon, we will have Network Rail, Buckingham Group (the contractor undertaking the work) and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority representatives on hand, to answer any questions or queries people may have.
If you’re unable to attend the event, but have a question, please telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41. More information can also be found via https://headboltlane.commonplace.is/ .
We look forward to seeing you at the drop-in event.
Headbolt Lane train station work - update
As you will be aware, Network Rail, in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council, is working on the construction of the new Headbolt Lane train station.
The Merseyrail train service will be extended from Kirkby to a new station off Headbolt Lane, which will improve transport links for the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of the town.
As part of the work, the embankment next to the railway line needs to be widened, along with the installation of retention walls. To do this, we will be completing foundation work and installing fencing, to hold back the railway stones.
A range of machinery and equipment will be used to carry out the work including railway plant machines, piling rigs (which push large metal poles into the ground to stop ground movement), hand tools and excavators.
For essential safety reasons, the work must be undertaken when the railway is closed and as a result, we will, for a temporary period of time, be working at night and during the daytime on Sundays.
Please be reassured that a construction management plan will be in place to mitigate disturbance and we will be monitoring noise levels whilst the work is being undertaken. Wherever possible, the pilling work will be undertaken on Sundays.
We do appreciate that whilst we will try to limit noise levels wherever possible, there is still likely to be some noise associated with the work. We apologise in advance for any disturbance this work may cause but we will do what we can to reduce the noise as much as possible.
A schedule of work spanning an 800m area, has been developed and whilst the work will be undertaken from 10pm until 6am Monday to Thursday and from 10am until 6pm on Sundays, the work will not be constant. The programme moves along the line and will not be focussed in one location for any length of time.
Work started on the week commencing 28 February 2022 and is scheduled to be complete by Friday 17 June 2022.
Plans are also progressing to hold a drop-in event for residents on 17 March to find out more about the scheme and discuss any concerns you may have. Further details will be sent out in due course.
For more details about the project, please visit https://headboltlane.commonplace.is/ or telephone our 24/7 National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 – this number can also be used if you have any questions about the scheme or the work being undertaken.
More about the station
The station design includes passenger facilities, such as 300 park and ride spaces, step-free access throughout the station, passenger toilet and waiting facilities. There will also be a bus interchange and links into cycling and walking networks.
An aerial image is included below, indicating what the new station will look like once completed
Headbolt Lane Train Station work update.
As you will be aware, Network Rail, in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council, is working on the construction of the new Headbolt Lane train station.
The Merseyrail train service will be extended from Kirkby to a new station off Headbolt Lane, which will improve transport links for the Northwood and Tower Hill areas of the town.
As part of the work, the embankment next to the railway line needs to be widened, along with the installation of retention walls. To do this, we will be completing foundation work and installing fencing, to hold back the railway stones.
A range of machinery and equipment will be used to carry out the work including railway plant machines, piling rigs (which push large metal poles into the ground to stop ground movement), hand tools and excavators.
For essential safety reasons, the work must be undertaken when the railway is closed and as a result, we will, for a temporary period of time, be working at night and during the daytime on Sundays.
Please be reassured that a construction management plan will be in place to mitigate disturbance and we will be monitoring noise levels whilst the work is being undertaken. Wherever possible, the pilling work will be undertaken on Sundays.
We do appreciate that whilst we will try to limit noise levels wherever possible, there is still likely to be some noise associated with the work. We apologise in advance for any disturbance this work may cause but we will do what we can to reduce the noise as much as possible.
A schedule of work spanning an 800m area, has been developed and whilst the work will be undertaken from 10pm until 6am Monday to Thursday and from 10am until 6pm on Sundays, the work will not be constant. The programme moves along the line and will not be focussed in one location for any length of time.
Work started on the week commencing 28 February 2022 and is scheduled to be complete by Friday 17 June 2022.
Plans are also progressing to hold a drop-in event for residents on 17 March to find out more about the scheme and discuss any concerns you may have. Further details will be sent out in due course.
For or more details about the project, please visit https://headboltlane.commonplace.is/ or telephone Network Rail's 24/7 National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 – this number can also be used if you have any questions about the scheme or the work being undertaken.
More about the station
The station design includes passenger facilities, such as 300 park and ride spaces, step-free access throughout the station, passenger toilet and waiting facilities. There will also be a bus interchange and links into cycling and walking networks.
Aerial view of proposed Headbolt Lane Station.
Green light given for new station at Headbolt Lane, Kirkby
Thank you for both taking part in our consultation earlier this year for a proposed new rail station at Headbolt Lane and subscribing to receive news updates. We’re delighted to announce Knowsley Council Planning Committee approved the £80m scheme earlier this month, with work set to begin at the site in January 2022 and the opening of the station anticipated for Spring 2023.
You can read our press release about the planning decision, including details on what the project will deliver, on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website .
Pages on the Commonplace website - https://headboltlane.commonplace.is/ - have been updated with details accordingly and you’ll receive further notifications like this one, when more occur.
A letter is being issued by Network Rail to residents living close to the station site, providing more information details of when works will take place and how we will keep them informed.
Thanks again for your interest to date and look forward to welcoming you to the station in 2023!