Fresh hopes have emerged for a new train station in Anfield, more than seven years after officials first explored plans to upgrade transport links in the area. The proposal, which includes potential rail infrastructure projects to improve travel to and from Liverpool FC's stadium on match days, has gained renewed attention following the completion of the £80 million Anfield Road Stand expansion.
Background on the Anfield Station Proposal
In December 2019, the Liverpool ECHO reported on the possibility of a new Anfield train station, but no further updates were provided until now. Pressure to open a station has existed for years, but Liverpool FC's plans to expand its home ground increased calls for better public transport around the stadium. With the Anfield Road Stand complete, the stadium now boasts a 61,000-seat capacity, bolstering the rationale for improved transport infrastructure, including rail upgrades and a new station.
Mayor's Optimism and Devolution Powers
Mayor Steve Rotheram told the ECHO in October 2019 that he was optimistic a new train station serving Anfield football stadium could be delivered. He confirmed that the combined authority would start work to establish how the Bootle branch line could be reopened, as well as the costs of doing so. Since then, Mayor Rotheram, as part of the government's continued devolution plans, has gained a range of powers and authority to direct the region's transport plans and associated infrastructure projects.
The closest train stations to the ground are currently Bank Hall and Kirkdale, but both are around a 30-minute walk from the stadium. If the Bootle Branch line were reopened, the nearest and seemingly most viable option for a new Anfield train station would be the old Breck Road station, previously located on the London & North Western Railway's Canada Dock branch, on the north side of Townsend Lane.
History of Breck Road Station
Breck Road Station opened in 1870 and closed more than seventy years later on 31 May 1948. By 2017, the only trace of the station appeared to be a bricked-up entrance at street level, but it is believed freight trains still pass through the station site and over the bridge.
Latest Update from LCRCA
The ECHO reached out to Liverpool City Council and Merseyrail but was told all updates about the proposals are being handled by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). Responding to questions about the possibility of reopening Breck Road Station and providing a rail link to Anfield Stadium, a spokesperson for LCRCA provided an update.
The spokesperson said: “Transport planning for the Anfield area has developed significantly in recent years, with a focus on delivering the most effective and future-proof solutions for the area. As part of this, Anfield has been identified as one of the key priority corridors for the Liverpool City Region’s proposed rapid transit network, and this is now the primary focus for improving connectivity. We are also continuing to progress a number of rail expansion projects across the region, including Liverpool Baltic, Carr Mill, Daresbury and Woodchurch.”
