Carr Mill Railway Station

The case for Carr Mill Rail Station

Carr Mill is part of St Helens to the north of the town centre and contains 35,000 residents. Carr Mill was previously served by a rail station but this closed in 1917. St Helens Borough Council with the support of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, have a long-standing ambition to reopen a railway station serving Carr Mill. Council has safeguarded this ambition via our St Helens Local Plan up to 2037 which includes a policy commitment (Policy LPA06:Transport and Travel) to secure the delivery of a new rail station at Carr Mill.

The area of Carr Mill has significantly developed since the closure of the original rail station, with major housing developments either underway or earmarked for the area. The delivery of a new rail station at Carr Mill has the potential to generate high levels of rail patronage, improve access to housing and increase the number of journeys taken by sustainable travel modes, reducing car dependency and improving air quality.

For these reasons a Carr Mill Station Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC), has been prepared by Atkins on behalf of Council, examining the case for developing a new rail station in Carr Mill.

Carr Mill Station Strategic Outline Business Case (opens new window)

The SOBC considered several options for the location of a new rail station in Carr Mill, this included determining the optimum location for the physical accommodation of the station and platforms, the operational rail frequency and services expected, the catchment area served by the location, and the potential rail demand and future patronage. In conclusion the Station Strategic Outline Business Case determined that there is a compelling strategic case for a new station in Carr Mill based around improving accessibility of Carr Mill to Liverpool.

Demand forecasts show a station sited near the old station between Laffak and Woodlands Road provides the highest demand and benefits. Outline design shows that a station is deliverable with a capex cost of around £14-16m. A benefit cost ratio of between 3.8 to 4.8, was calculated for the scheme which is categorised as very high value for money. Sensitivity testing was then carried out to assess the schemes viability against 25% higher costs with 25% lower demand. The scheme was still determined to have high value for money should these impacts occur.

Council will continue to work with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to further develop this scheme. This will require securing the necessary funding and developing an outline business case, full business case and then construction.