WOODCHURCH could get a new railway station according to ambitious proposals unveiled by Liverpool City Mayor Steve Rotheram.

The plan would mark the biggest expansion to the local rail network in decades with two of the region’s boroughs set to get their first-ever station served by Merseyrail trains.

In the first policy pledge of Mr Rotheram campaign for re-election to a third term, the Labour Mayor has announced his intention to build a new stations at Woodchurch along with Daresbury in Halton and Carr Mill in St Helens, with work underway to build all three due to start by the end of the decade.

The plan for a better-connected region is part of the Mayor’s Merseyrail for All pledge to connect "historically underserved communities" to the local rail network.

Woodchurch is dominated by the Woodchurch housing estate and has a population over 8,000 but the nearest railway station is Upton. 

Steve Rotheram, the Liverpool City Region’s Labour Mayor said: “Any modern, thriving region is only as good as its public transport. Since I’ve been Mayor, I’ve worked around the clock to give our region what Londoners get to enjoy every day: a reliable, accessible, affordable and integrated network that helps, rather than hinders people getting about.

“But I know that in some parts of our region, Liverpool can feel as distant and inaccessible as London. I’m working to put that right, bringing local people closer to each other and to the opportunities we’re creating.

Since he was elected in 2017, Mayor Rotheram has been vocal about his ambitions to revolutionise the region’s local rail network with a London-style system that makes it faster, cheaper, cleaner and easier to travel around the region.

If re-elected, the Mayor has also pledged to complete the new £100m Liverpool Baltic station by 2027, a full year ahead of its current schedule, as well as regenerating Moorfields station and upgrading the entrances.

Other proposals include plans to deliver a seven-day network with increased timetable provision at weekends and evenings by 2028. 

Mayor Rotheram was unanimously reselected as Labour’s candidate for Liverpool City Region Mayor last year and has twice been elected with well over 50% of the vote. The Mayoral election will take place on Thursday, May 2 2024.

Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Borough Council, said: “Woodchurch has long been identified as a prime location for a new train station and I am delighted that Steve has announced this addition to our local rail network. This project will support the wider regeneration work in Wirral to further improve access to public transport across the borough.

“Trains provide our residents with a vital transport link to the outside world and it is great to see Steve demonstrate his our ambition for our area with an investment that will connect people to jobs, training opportunities and each other for years to come.”

Matthew Patrick, Labour candidate for Wirral West, added: "This is wonderful news for all those who live on the Woodchurch and across the Wirral, opening up access to schools, colleges, work, and leisure to our community. Affordable and fast transport will bring a huge boost to our economy but also give new opportunities to people who live here.

“Woodchurch is at the centre of Wirral’s future - and this investment in our area will help make the Woodchurch a place to be proud of. It goes to show that Labour in power truly delivers for the Wirral.”