Sutton Oak Link

Reimagining a historic railway corridor - the case for repurposing, and unlocking the disused Sutton Oak Rail Line. 

The Sutton Oak Rail Line formed part of the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, which opened on 21 February 1833 to transport coal from St Helens to the River Mersey. It later supported passenger services between St Helens Central and St Helens Junction. While regular passenger operations ceased in 1951, the line remained in use for freight and occasional diverted passenger services until 1987. Freight services continued until 2022, after which the line was decommissioned and has remained unused. 

In its current condition, the corridor is overgrown and inaccessible, creating a physical divide within the surrounding community. Despite this, it presents a significant opportunity to reconnect neighbourhoods, enhance sustainable transport infrastructure, and celebrate the borough's industrial heritage. Therefore the Council has identified an initiative called the Sutton Oak Link scheme. 

To explore the full potential of the Sutton Oak Link, we commissioned specialist transport consultants Mott MacDonald to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study. This 2024 study expanded the scope beyond previous assessments that focused solely on reinstating heavy rail services, which remain technically and financially challenging. 

The feasibility study established a baseline and conducted spatial analysis to understand current and future demand along the corridor. It assessed a range of transport modal options, examined physical treatment strategies, and revisited the viability of heavy rail. A detailed evaluation of other transport options was also undertaken, considering both infrastructure and environmental enhancements. 

Sutton Oak Link Executive Summary (PDF, 3 MB)

The study concluded that repurposing could present a feasible and promising option for near future, positive use of the line as a movement corridor (that we are now referring to as the Sutton Oak Link); however, further work is required to develop a detailed business case that reports on the benefits and costs of proposals and their potential to safeguard future rail reinstatement. This will be essential to confirming the preferred approach. 

The Council will continue to work in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to progress the Sutton Oak Link scheme. The next phase will involve securing pre-development funding and preparing an Outline Business Case, Strategic Outline Business Case and a Full Business Case for the preferred option. 

This collaborative effort aims to transform the former line into a strategic corridor that promotes sustainable mobility, supports local regeneration, and enhances community wellbeing. The scheme aligns with the strategic priorities outlined in the Borough Strategy and Inclusive Growth Strategy, contributing to a thriving, inclusive, and well-connected local economy. It will also help create a green, vibrant, and culturally significant travel corridor that honours the area's heritage.