No Merseybeat musicians or 'Balty McBaltyface' among the options
CGI images and a video fly-through showing what the new station at the former St James site in Liverpool might look like have been revealed, as a vote opens to decide on its new name.
"I want our region to have what London has had for years - a transport system that is affordable, reliable, and easy to use.
A shortlist of three potential names has been produced after initial discussions between the main partners on the scheme - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Network Rail, Merseyrail and Liverpool City Council.
To avoid any confusion with the existing James Street station in Liverpool city centre, a decision has been taken to pick a new name that will reflect the modern area in which it will be located.
The three names to choose from are:
- Liverpool Baltic
- Liverpool Parliament Street
- Liverpool Riverside
The artists impression CGI images and video bring to life the ticket office, cycle storage, escalators and platforms, showing what the station layout will be once completed.
Read next: An insider’s guide to the Baltic Triangle
The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church. It closed in 1917 as a cost-cutting measure during the First World War and was never reopened.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has pledged to build a station on the site, which will be located in one of the fastest growing areas of the city.
The station would be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick Station on the Northern Line and will include passenger toilets, a cycle hub, step-free access to and between both platforms and a passenger drop-off area outside.
The scheme will enter the next stage of design development in the new year. Land has already been purchased to safeguard the site of the new station ticket office building. The current plans aim for the station to be open in 2025, subject to funding being secured for the construction stage.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "I am ambitious about the future of public transport in our region and Liverpool’s new station – alongside another new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby – are only the first step towards an expanded Merseyrail for All network.
"I want our region to have what London has had for years - a transport system that is affordable, reliable, and easy to use."
Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail, said: "I’m pleased that we are able to involve the people of the Liverpool City Region in the planning of a new station on the Merseyrail network.
"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do so it seems fitting that they get the opportunity to select the name of the new station."
The public vote to name the new Baltic station is open until 5pm on Friday 18 February.
*** UPDATE 12/04/2022 *** Liverpool Baltic will be the name of the new station on the St James site. The final results saw Liverpool Baltic the winner with 77.7% of the vote, with Liverpool Parliament Street in second on 15.2% and Liverpool Riverside third on 7.1%.
Read next: An insider’s guide to the Baltic Triangle
Read again: Gerry Marsden to be honoured with renaming of Liverpool ferry terminal
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
