The Merseyrail

Study Enhancing its role within the Liverpool City Region

A Research Project by Cass Associates and the Department of Civic Design, the University of Liverpool

Background

» Progressive, successful city regions are investing heavily in their public transport infrastructure, especially rail, as an integral part of their economic, social and environmental strategies.

» Merseyside already has an effective, efficient rail system linking many parts of the city region.

» The Cass/Civic Design project examines how the Merseyrail network could enhance its role in stimulating investment and economic growth, and contribute to social and environmental regeneration.

» Examples

o Beijing BCR

o London Overground

o San Francisco Bay Area (BART)

o Rhein/Ruhr S-Bahn

Methodology

» Excludedo City Centre stations (high usage)o Lines not operated by Merseyrail

» Took a 1km catchment area (10 mins walk)o 314 hectares

» Studied six stations in detail chosen to;o Be representative of all station typeso Have an even Liverpool/Wirral split

The Merseyrail Network

» Rail Track developed since 1830o 1886 Cross-River Tunnel

» Length of Networko 75 route mileso Including 6.5 miles of tunnel

» Number of Stationso 66 stations, 5 underground

» Total Passengerso 40,081,911 (2009)o +42% growth on 2002

» “Most reliable” in the UKo 96.33% services running 2009-10

Existing Investment Value

£2.5 Billion

The Merseyrail Study

“…to investigate how the rail network might increase its role in promoting economic growth and regeneration within the Liverpool

City Region”

Initial Research

2010Major Study

2011Delivery of Live Project

2012

Footfall

» 2009 Footfall Datao Excludes City Centre Stations

» Top 3 stationso Southport (3,108,000)o Kirkby (1,838,000)o Sand Hills (1,563,000)

» Lowest 3 stationso Bank Hall (179,000)o Walton (247,000)o Hall Road (265,000)

400,000

800,000

1,200,000

1%

2%

3%

Footfall (2009)

SOUTHPORT

SANDHILLS

HUNTS CROSS

WEST KIRKBY

KIRKBY

Footfall (Selected Stations)

400,000

800,000

1,200,000

1%

2%

3%

Footfall (2009)

HALL ROAD

BANK HALL

ST. MICHAEL’SROCK FERRY

BIRKENHEAD NORTH

BIDSTON

Bank Hall

Bidston

Birkenhead North

Hall Road

Rock Ferry

St Michael's

179,000

394,000

837,000

265,000

716,000

825,000 Footfall (Thousands)

Catchment - Population

Bank Hall Bidston Birkenhead North Hall Road Rock Ferry St Michael's0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

15,900

8,000

13,200

5,900

17,000 17,000

2651 42 19 54 54

# Density (people/hectare)

Catchment - Deprivation

Bank Hall Bidston Birkenhead North Hall Road Rock Ferry St Michael's0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

66%

55%

41%

39% 23%

0%

Deprivation (12 & 13 of P2 People & Places Geodemographic Classification)

St. Michael’s

» Catchment Sizeo 17,000 people

» Footfall (2009)o 825,000

» Deprivation Indexo 23%

St. Michael’s

St. Michael’sStrengths Weaknesses» Close to major traffic route into city centre» Good Local Catchment (94% pedestrian access)» Access to Festival Gardens and Promenade» Potential for Park and Ride» Adjacent to large areas of valuable green space» Significant areas of land with potential for

improvement» Diverse local population (23% disadvantaged)

» Relatively inaccessible, poorly serviced station» No local services close to station» Little car or cycle parking or bus connections» Access through constricted residential area» Some immediate surroundings in poor condition

St. Michael’s - Overview1k

m50

0m

St. Michael’s Land OpportunitiesSt. Michael’s - Opportunities

1km

500m

Derelict Land

Underused Land

Parks/Green space

Bank Hall

» Catchment Sizeo 15,900 people

» Footfall (2009)o 179,000

» Deprivation Indexo 66%

Bank HallStrengths Weaknesses» Located on major road into city centre» Significant areas of underused land» Good access to bus services» Close to major employment areas» Good local catchment

o 17,000» Proximity to Leeds-Liverpool Canal

» Proximity to three other stations» No safe or convenient car or bike parking» Very limited local services close to station» Low usage despite high catchment

o Footfall 180,000o Catchment 17,000

» Existing commercial uses struggling» Poor quality, insecure local environment

Bank Hall

Bank Hall General PlanBank Hall - Overview

1km

500m

Bank Hall Land OpportunitiesBank Hall- Opportunities

1km

500m

Derelict Land

Underused Land

Parks/Green space

Birkenhead North

» Catchment Sizeo 17,000 people

» Footfall (2009)o 837,000

» Deprivation Indexo 41%

Birkenhead NorthStrengths Weaknesses» Regeneration opportunity immediately

outside station» Existing infrastructure already focused on

station» High footfall considering catchment size

o Footfall 837,000o Catchment 15,900

» Wide-scale dereliction of docks» Presence/fear of crime and vandalism» Poor public transport coordination

Birkenhead North General PlanBirkenhead North - Overview

1km

500m

Birkenhead North Land OpportunitiesBirkenhead North - Opportunities

1km

500m

Derelict Land

Underused Land

Parks/Green space

How Can This Approach Work?

» More effective regeneration effortso Co-ordinated investment and deliveryo New opportunities for investment and improvement

» Increasing land and property valueso Improved asset managemento Increase commercial activityo Increased quality of life

» Network efficiencyo Improved accessibility to the network (i.e. by removing obstacles)o Focus planning and investment around mass-transit hubo Improved mobility and opportunity for local peopleo Increase use of the rail network, supporting further investment in the network