LIVERPOOL South Parkway – a forced marriage between Garston and Allerton railway stations – has finally won national recognition, six years after the two became one.
It has won a top prize at the National Rail Awards in London. Judges glowingly praised it, saying it had “established a new gold standard for transport interchanges”.
In the pre-nuptial years of engagement, before SLP finally opened, there was talk of a new era for rail in Liverpool. There were whispers of the London trains terminating here, rather than Lime Street, enabling passengers to drag themselves up the mountainous stairs, across a cavernous tiled-floored concourse, down more stairs, to catch a Merseyrail train to town.
That idea, wisely rejected by the train operators, would have been akin to being chucked off the inter-city at Milton Keynes and forced to board a cattle train for the rest of the journey to Euston.
Proud Merseyrail people
Even now, SLP is branded as the rail stop for Liverpool John Lennon Airport, a mere helicopter flight from Horrocks Avenue to Oglet.
People who haul their luggage off the train at SLP and (eventually) catch a bus to JLA only do it the once.
SLP is living proof that we needed, many years ago, a direct train link to Speke Airport. But knowing the airport’s owners, Peel, they’d slap a hefty fine on the train companies for having the nerve to stop outside.
It has been branded a white elephant, yet SLP has become an acceptable and agreeable landmark and a useful transport interchange. Arrive too late during the commuter rush and the free car park will be full. Early-bird city centre bound workers save money by parking here and catching a train to Lime Street or Central. And it is a great way to connect to Manchester or Birmingham if you live north of Moorfields.
SLP won the Medium Sized Station category and is described in the award’s citation as “a quality public transport hub, a train and bus interchange, a few kilometres from the city centre and a gateway for the wider region and Europe”.
Presumably the reference to Europe relates to the airport, a not inconsiderable distance away door-to-door. If only a spat between certain parties hadn’t taken place people could be whizzing their way to the airport by tram.
Groundbreaking station where Ringo lost his head
The station hit the national and international headlines in 2008, shortly after it opened, when a topiary sculpture of the Beatles outside was vandalised. More specifically Ringo Starr was "beheaded". The act was thought to have been sparked by disparaging comments he made about Liverpool on a TV chat show.
The judges commented: ‘It is six years since Liverpool South Parkway opened and it has more than held its status as a model transport interchange between train, bus and airport. The station is cleaned and maintained to exceptionally high standards, while staff are posted at strategic places to help passengers to their destinations. Liverpool South Parkway has established a new gold standard for transport interchanges.’
Maarten Spaargaren, managing director of Merseyrail, said: ‘It’s fantastic to be recognised for this eco-friendly, futuristic station, which boasts stunning designand provides an extremely pleasant environment for our customers.’
Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel, added: ‘This award is further recognition of the importance of Liverpool South Parkway as a key station for the local community and a major asset to Merseyside, providing vital links to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.’
Merseyrail was also highly commended in the operator of the year category.
