Kirkby railway station is situated in Kirkby, Merseyside, England. The station is an interchange between Merseyrail services from Liverpool Central and Northern Rail services from Manchester Victoria via Wigan Wallgate.

The original station was built in 1848, as part of the Liverpool and Bury Railway. The station was situated on the side that now forms the Wigan-bound platform, and consisted of two platforms. This station was removed in 1977 and replaced with the modern station layout, which opened in May of that year.

The modern station consists of a single platform, bisected by a bridge. The single track is broken up by a large buffer stop, which separates the third-rail electrified Merseyrail trains from the diesel-run Northern Rail services. Passengers wishing to go from one to another must walk a dozen yards or so along the platform to move between trains. (A similar layout exists at Ormskirk.)

Services to Liverpool Central operate frequently, running every 15 minutes during the day (Monday-Saturday) and every 30 minutes at other times. Services to Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria operate less frequently, usually every 60 minutes (no evening or Sunday service). Most trains used continue to Rochdale railway station prior to the December 2008 timetable change.

Headbolt Lane and planned extension

As part of the second Merseyside Local Transport Plan (covering expansion of public transport in the region from 2006 to 2011), plans were drawn up for the possible future expansion of the electrified line beyond the existing station. Since the existing track at Kirkby station makes interchange difficult, part of the expansion involves the construction of a new station in the Northwood area of the town. This new facility, at Headbolt Lane - previously planned in the early 1970s but never built - would provide "turn-back" platforms for both diesel and electric services (likely in an island platform configuration). Exploratory technical assessments have already been carried out, and more detailed exploration of the scheme is scheduled to take place.

External links

• Station information from Merseyrail