Closure brings forward upgrade work

Network Rail has revealed that it used the week-long closure of Liverpool Lime Street station to bring forward a series of planned works, following the partial collapse of a ten-metre-high retaining wall on February 28.

An estimated 200 tonnes of debris fell onto all four running tracks between Lime Street and Edge Hill stations ( RAIL 822), necessitating a seven-day shutdown and repair programme before full services could be restored on March 8.

This unrestricted access to the railway also gave NR the opportunity to carry out additional upgrades, including detailed structural surveys of the area, demolition of former station buildings and the installation of under-track channels to carry power cables. This will reduce the need for future disruptive possessions.

“As repairs were made to the cutting wall, we seized the opportunity to carry out additional railway upgrades,” said NR’s London North Western Route Managing Director Martin Frobisher.

“This speedy local decisionmaking is a result of NR’s drive to be better for the customers and communities we serve. We were thrilled to get Lime Street passengers back on the move again a day earlier than first forecast - and equally pleased to have done some extra improvements while we had the chance.”