Railway station gets £2m facelift

Parking and passenger collection points have been improved

A £2m improvement scheme to give Liverpool's Lime Street railway station a facelift has been completed.

The works, funded by Merseytravel, include new flooring, information screens and a relocated taxi rank.

The city should be seen as a gateway to the region, not a cul-de-sac, and Lime Street Station is the key, a Merseytravel spokesman said.

In a passenger poll, released on 2 August, of the country's 20 busiest stations, Lime Street tied joint last.

The survey was carried out by Passenger Focus, which is the official, independent consumer organisation representing the interests of rail users nationally.

It revealed that just 52% of passengers were satisfied with the overall environment of the station, the same as the percentage at Birmingham New Street and East Croydon.

Clearer information

Commenting on the survey at the time, Network Rail said it was disappointed by the low rating, but work was ongoing to improve passenger facilities at Lime Street.

According to Councillor Chris Blakeley, chairman of the Rail Services Committee, the work - which took about 10 months to complete - will help to promote the city.

Our investment was necessary, some of the station has remained untouched since before Beatlemania Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel

"Lime Street Station is the first impression of Liverpool for millions of visitors," he said.

"It is of paramount importance that those visitors, from all over the world, leave the city with fond memories of a world famous station."

Councillor Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, added: "Our investment was necessary. Some of the station has remained untouched since before Beatlemania."

New large data display screens will provide clearer information for passengers.

The taxi pick up/drop off point for the station has been relocated from Lord Nelson Street to the Skelhorne Street and seven new dedicated drop off and pick up points have been created.

The short stay parking area within the station has been improved and now includes 29 spaces including four blue badge spaces.

There is cycle parking on the Skelhorne Street side of the station with heavy-duty stands for motorcycles.