Liverpool Council has revealed that damaged steps were behind the weeks-long closure of escalators at Moorfields station, with repairs completed on Monday afternoon.
The escalators leading towards Dale Street were shut down until yesterday afternoon, following a period of maintenance work at the Merseyrail station. The city council has now confirmed the reason for the unexpected shuttering.
Repair Work and Refurbishment
A spokesperson for the local authority said a repair report cited "damaged steps" as the reason for the closure, with the error corrected at 3.30pm on Monday, November 2. The maintenance of the escalators has been the responsibility of Liverpool Council since 1971.
The location has been undergoing a £1m refurbishment throughout this year. Last summer, after a lengthy closure, escalators at the entrance to Moorfields station were switched back on. What was initially supposed to be a month's work to repair faulty parts at the station dragged on after being beset by delays.
Station History and Management
Moorfields Station was opened in 1977 as a replacement for Liverpool Exchange Railway Station. It was built on the Liverpool Loop line, connecting other underground stations including Lime Street, Liverpool Central and James St.
The station was originally constructed as part of Liverpool's 1960/70s Masterplan for pedestrian network system, which separated pedestrian traffic from vehicular and ran across several parts of the city at first floor level. This is why Moorfields station's foyer is accessed via steps or ramp.
Upgrades and Future Plans
It was announced last June the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) would pump vital cash into giving Moorfields a much needed makeover. The upgrades are the first phase of a wider approach aimed at a transformation of the station including a refresh of the station's appearance and accessibility.
The station and its surrounding area is managed in parts by the local authority, Network Rail, Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. According to the city council, the escalators are situated in a location that attracts rough sleeping due to the shelter it provides. This follows anti-social behaviour and misuse keeping the steps closed for two years previously.
As part of the revamp at the station, this "dead space" has been removed with new cycle storage provision on street level. A retail area has been created with discussions ongoing over a business to take over the unit. A planning application submitted ahead of the plans said the changes would "help to re-instate the station as a destination."
