Issue 17 | Spring 2003

Key Facts about Merseytram

 Trams on Track!

Merseyside is on track for one of the best tram systems in Europe, and Knowsley will be involved right from the start. The Government has approved £170million towards the estimated £225million cost of the first stage that will link Liverpool City Centre and Kirkby Town Centre.

The first stage of the development was an extensive 6-week public consultation which has just been completed. Views raised will be considered as the partners, Liverpool City Council, Knowsley MBC and Merseytravel, make the formal application to the government to allow work on the scheme to begin.

The first phase of the Merseytram will provide a new form of convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly travel between Liverpool City Centre and Kirkby – providing access to education, training, work, shops, entertainment, cultural facilities and nightlife.

The route between the two centres will include the Waterfront, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Tuebrook, Queens Drive, Croxteth, the East Lancs Road and Kirkby town centre. Also planned is a “Park & Ride” site alongside the M57 so that people can park their cars safely and securely and then get the Merseytram to the city centre and other locations.

The scheme also includes a “City Centre Loop” that will link Moorfields, Water Street, Pier Head, Paradise Street, Whitechapel, Queen Square and Lime Street.

Construction could start in 2004/5 with the first phase of the scheme opening in 2006/7. There will be approximately 300 new jobs created to manage and operate Merseytram and a total of about 1,000 jobs will be created during its construction.

The Liverpool-Kirkby route is the first of three planned routes for Merseytram. The others are:

Line 2 – from the City Centre via Old Swan to Page Moss, Prescot and possibly beyond;

Line 3 – connecting the City Centre to Speke/Garson, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and possibly beyond.

For more information about Merseytram contact the Merseytram office on 0151 330 1000 or visit www.merseytram.co.uk.