Liverpool Baltic station delays confirmed

In mid-January, news broke of a two-year delay to the new £100m station in the Baltic Triangle. The station, known as Liverpool Baltic, was due to open in 2027, but is now expected to open in 2029.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, told BBC Radio Merseyside that the delay was a result of Network Rail being unable to do the work on the Northern Line station as a result of other demands – including the Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Trans Pennine upgrade.

The station, on the  junction of Parliament Street and St James Place , has existing Victorian infrastructure – it was formerly Liverpool St James railway station – but that part of the work, which must be done by licensed developers and contractors who are allowed to work on a live rail network, involves installing modern accessibility requirements into ‘tight spaces’.

“The Baltic Triangle is a place people choose to be – to work, create, live, socialise and build businesses,” says the Baltic Triangle Area CIC’s transport director, Darren Muir. “The Baltic Station was meant to make that easier, whether you’re a digital creative commuting in, a visitor heading out for the night, or someone moving easily between the Baltic and the rest of the city.

“When delivery slips, the impact is felt on the ground. It affects how people get here, how long they stay, and how confidently local businesses can plan. Delays also risk pushing costs up over time, which helps no one.

“We understand that rail projects are complex and that national pressures, including those involving Network Rail, play a part. But from the Baltic Triangle’s point of view, what matters now is momentum. The community needs clear timescales, a firm route to delivery, and confidence that this station will be delivered for the people it was promised to serve.”