Decision ref
0094 2025/26
Decision date
31/03/2026
Portfolio
Business and Inclusive Growth
Wards
Newton-le-Willows West
Title
Earlestown Railway Station Grant Funding Agreement
Summary
To approve execution of a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) between St Helens Borough Council and Merseytravel for the Earlestown Railway Station Improvement Project, inclusive of a £1,224,242 funding award from St Helens Borough Council to Merseytravel allocated from Levelling up Fund Round 2 (LUF2) matched by Borrowing and Section 106 monies, for completion of design works. Any further work beyond the design works stage will be the subject of a future DED and separate GFA.
Purpose
To seek approval to execute a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) and award of LUF2 funding (matched by Borrowing and Section 106 funding) from the Council to Merseytravel for completion of the design works stage within the Earlestown Railway Station Improvement Project, a key works package within the Earlestown Regeneration Programme.
Background
On 23 April 2025, a cabinet report setting out the planned investments for the Earlestown Regeneration LUF2 Programme approved the investment of up to £5.383m from the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 programme to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority via a Grant Funding Agreement for the appointment of Merseyrail Electric 2002 as the preferred delivery partner for the Rail Station element. Delegated authority was also granted to the Executive Director of Place Services, in consultation with the Director of Legal & Governance and Section 151 Officer, to execute all necessary documentation with the English Cities Fund and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority pursuant to successfully delivery of the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 programme.
The Earlestown Railway Station Improvement Project is a key works package within the Earlestown Regeneration Programme and sets out to improve safety and amenity by regenerating the Earlestown Railway Station building, completing hard and soft landscaping works, and delivering general station improvements.
As the proposed works are located on rail infrastructure, the delivery partners for rail improvement works are typically limited to Network Rail (as infrastructure owner) or a Train Operating Company (TOC). In this case it has been agreed that Merseytravel in its role as the Passenger Transport Executive, will be the lead delivery partner for the Earlestown Railway Station Improvement project. Merseytravel are utilising Merseyrail Electrics 2002 (also known as ‘Merseyrail’) as the delivery partner for the three works packages listed above. Merseyrail are a capable TOC with relevant experience of delivering similar works packages elsewhere to the necessary rail industry standards.
The Grant Funding Agreement attached to this DED is to be issued from Council to Merseytravel to undertake the works (in its role as Passenger Transport Executive with special exemptions for transport-related works) on behalf of the Council, with Merseyrail as their delivery partner. This GFA is solely concerned with completing the design stage at a cost of £1,224,242 (to be allocated via LUF2 matched by Borrowing and Section 106 funding) and therefore any future works required beyond the design stage will be the subject of a further DED and separate GFA.
Conclusion
This DED seeks approval to formally sign a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) between St Helens Borough Council and Merseytravel for the Earlestown Railway Station Improvement Project. The GFA confirms that the recipient (Merseytravel) is proposing to undertake the design works (in its role as Passenger Transport Executive with special exemptions for transport-related works) on behalf of the Funder, with Merseyrail as their delivery partner. It also confirms that the Funder (St Helens Borough Council) shall pay the Grant to the Recipient to assist the Recipient in carrying out the design work under the terms of this Agreement. In this case the Council is providing £1,224,242 funding via the GFA for Merseytravel to undertake the design works stage for the project.
Risk Implications
Failure to approve the GFA could result in non-delivery or a delay in delivery, significantly impacting the wider Earlestown Regeneration Programme.
Measures to Redress Risk
Significant progress has been made involving detailed discussions with LCRCA and Merseytravel to ensure an appropriate GFA is in place for delivery of the Earlestown Railway Station Improvement Project.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact David Saville on 01744 676148
