THE campaign for a new railway station between Moreton and Meols has hit the buffers again.

The need for a station was first identified more than 30 years ago when the nearby Millhouse Lane area was developed, with a survey of local residents and businesses showing overwhelming support.

Merseytravel had even bought additional land for the site of the new station, named 'Town Meadow'.

But this week, campaigners found out that the scheme had missed out on funding yet again, after Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which took over Merseytravel, announced it had received a £172 million from the Government's Transforming Cities Fund to help improve 'sustainable transport' across the region.

Some of the cash will be used for two new stations will be built in Liverpool and Kirkby.

There are also plans to invest in a 'multi-user route' from Wirral Waters to Birkenhead.

But no funding has been allocated for a new station between Moreton and Meols.

Nationally, £1.7 billion will be invested in schemes to make it easier, safer and quicker for people to travel and get to work by funding improved transport connections.

Councillor for Moreton West & Saughall Massie, Chris Blakeley, told the Globe: "Once again, we have seen Moreton miss out as transport spending is focussed on Liverpool.

"People living in this part of Wirral have been promised a new station for almost 30 years and the land for it has been sitting on Merseytravel's books.

"Many of the people who have moved into the new houses around Millhouse Lane are having to use their cars to get to work in the Liverpool as park and ride schemes at other stations are often full.

"A new station would enable more people to switch to rail, reducing road use and helping our environment.

"It's bitterly disappointing that, once again, this station has been shoved to the back of the queue."

Charles Hynes is one of the unhappy residents living near to where the new station was promised.

He said: "This part of Moreton needs a station – the nearest station is too far away to walk to and there is very little parking there.

"What's the point in building more new stations in Liverpool if they're not building new stations at the other end?"

The campaign for a new station was backed in 2017 by Paul Maynard, then under secretary of state for transport, during a visit to the proposed site.

On the latest funding blow, Cllr Chris Blakeley continued: "This isn't about money – the Government's Transforming Cities Fund will see £1.7 billion being spent – this is a choice by the Combined Authority to leave Wirral behind while they use the money for schemes in Liverpool."

An independent survey commissioned by Merseytravel in 2010 revealed overwhelming support for Town Meadow. But the idea was scrapped.

However, a recent survey found hundreds of people are in support of the idea.

Moreton West & Saughall Massie councillor Steve Williams said recently: "We know from surveys and petitions over the last few years that a new station for the Millhouse and Lingham neighbourhoods in Moreton will help more people to use the rail network, and reduce congestion on some of our busiest roads.

"Until recently Merseytravel and Wirral Council have always said that a station would be too expensive."

A spokesperson for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority told the Globe: "As part of our long-term rail strategy we have identified a number of key locations across the city region at which new rail stations could be built, including at Town Meadow.

"Whilst it hasn’t been selected to receive money from the Transforming Cities Fund, we regularly review the business cases of all proposed stations.

"However, subject to approval, this round of funding will deliver great benefits for Wirral residents, with proposed projects including a remodelling of Birkenhead Central station, upgraded cycle routes at Wirral Waters, brand new Mersey Ferries and improved terminal infrastructure.

"We're also currently improving rail stations across Wirral, with new lifts soon to open at Meols and car park extensions planned at Spital and Bromborough.

"This is in addition to the arrival of brand new trains which will be rolling out across the Wirral Line, and the rest of the Merseyrail network, from 2020."