£100m Baltic Station Project Faces Major Delay

Liverpool Baltic Merseyrail Station Delayed, 2028 Opening Now Uncertain

Plans for a new Merseyrail station in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle are facing delays, with officials now admitting it may not open in 2028 as previously hoped.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority confirmed on Wednesday that a main contractor has yet to be appointed for the £100 million project, even though planning permission was granted by Liverpool City Council in April 2025. Ambitions for a 2028 opening now appear increasingly unrealistic, after hopes last summer of completion by the end of 2027.

Major rail infrastructure projects are typically handled by Network Rail, but the state-owned operator is currently stretched due to HS2 commitments. While the Combined Authority could explore alternative contractors, the project involves specialist work on a live rail line in a deep cutting, requiring significant expertise.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram expressed his frustration at the delay, saying: “I’m not someone who is ever happy about things being delayed. I wanted us on site quicker. I’d rather be upfront with people now than risk overpromising and underdelivering. This project is still happening, and we will see it through to delivery.”

The Baltic station has been a long-term priority for the Mayor. Over the past 15 years, the area has transformed from derelict docklands into a bustling hub for creative, digital, and hospitality businesses. Paddington Village has also emerged as a fast-growing centre for science and technology, with more developments planned following the completion of The Spine office building.

The Combined Authority said in a statement: “Liverpool Baltic is central to Mayor Rotheram’s vision to transform public transport across the city region. It complements major investments, including £500 million in publicly owned trains, the return of buses under public control, and plans for a new rapid transit system.”

Once completed, Liverpool Baltic will be the third new Merseyrail station built since 2017, following Maghull North and Headbolt Lane. Three more stations are planned for Carr Mill in St Helens, Woodchurch on the Wirral, and Daresbury in Halton.

Appointing a main contractor is the next key step, the Authority added, with further announcements expected in the coming months.