Sandhills station capacity enhancement updates

[chiltern trev]

Sandhills upgrades signed off​

This new article which has an artists impression - perhaps someone can embed the artists impression in this topic. A new footbridge at Liverpool end of platform with a ramp and steps to the fan zone queing area.

https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/sandhills-upgrades-signed-off/

Measures to improve access and capacity have been given the go-ahead for the closest railway station to Everton’s new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.


Approved conditionally under delegated powers with a decision notice of 31 March, the applicant for the project is Merseytravel, advised by Owen Ellis Architects, the design firm having submitted the planning application for the civils design completed by other parties.


Covered by the consent are the construction of a new ramp, staircase, footbridge and associated landing arrangement from the already-delivered crowd management zone towards the southern end of Sandhills’ island platform.

The application also covered an emergency egress staircase and footpath to Dunes Way, connected to the new staircase and footbridge, along with a new Merseyrail secure compound arrangement for stage containers and associated on-site infrastructure with new fencing and pedestrian and vehicular access gates.

After some worries around the first test event at Bramley-Moore Dock, the second event was widely received as a success, with an estimated 50% of the 25,000 in attendance using public transport beefed up by additional rail services with more carriages.

Crowding around the station has been an area of concern, hence the desire to add infrastructure that will aid the flow of people once attendances at or close to capacity are heading to and from matches at Bramley-Moore Dock from August. Place North West understands that there is, unsurprisingly, an eagerness from city leaders that the project is started as soon as possible.

The plans can be viewed on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal, reference 24F/2773.

 

[Bevan Price]

City region mayor Mr Rotheram, pn TV recently, said to the effect that for a requirement roughly one day every 2 weeks, there was no way that the cost of extending Sandhills could be justified.

 

[Prime586]

Sandhills upgrades signed off​

This new article which has an artists impression - perhaps someone can embed the artists impression in this topic. A new footbridge at Liverpool end of platform with a ramp and steps to the fan zone queing area.

https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/sandhills-upgrades-signed-off/

I posted it earlier in the thread. My comment at the time was
"It looks like it was designed by M.C. Escher...
All those right angles are just what you need for an emergency exit."

 

[frodshamfella]

I see a lot about getting fans and I presume concert goers in the future to the new EFC stadium. The location is spectacular, it just seems to me to transport to get there should have been well completed by now.

 

[KevinTurvey]

Well passing through today contractors have started demolishing the platform waiting rooms. Don't know if they are both going or just the one near the top of the stairs, which when I passed through had mostly gone.

 

[childwallblues]

Our Metro Mayor would say that any extension to the station is not justified on cost grounds for just the odd football match or concert wouldn't he. It of course is not a vanity project which he likes to associate himself with. Sandhills is a busy interchange station as it is with many people changing trains there to get to Fazakerley for Aintree Hospital. In my opinion a third platform should have been built on the west side to allow trains to open their doors on both sides. The platform need not be one of Rotherams grandiose schemes and would not cost a fortune that the likes of Baltic Station will cost as the original platform and passageways are still in situ.

 

[lfc84]

Our Metro Mayor would say that any extension to the station is not justified on cost grounds for just the odd football match or concert wouldn't he. It of course is not a vanity project which he likes to associate himself with. Sandhills is a busy interchange station as it is with many people changing trains there to get to Fazakerley for Aintree Hospital. In my opinion a third platform should have been built on the west side to allow trains to open their doors on both sides. The platform need not be one of Rotherams grandiose schemes and would not cost a fortune that the likes of Baltic Station will cost as the original platform and passageways are still in situ.

I agree entirely with your suggested third platform

 

[frodshamfella]

Our Metro Mayor would say that any extension to the station is not justified on cost grounds for just the odd football match or concert wouldn't he. It of course is not a vanity project which he likes to associate himself with. Sandhills is a busy interchange station as it is with many people changing trains there to get to Fazakerley for Aintree Hospital. In my opinion a third platform should have been built on the west side to allow trains to open their doors on both sides. The platform need not be one of Rotherams grandiose schemes and would not cost a fortune that the likes of Baltic Station will cost as the original platform and passageways are still in situ.

Rotheram is a disappointing leader for the city region.

 

[Zomboid]

Our Metro Mayor would say that any extension to the station is not justified on cost grounds for just the odd football match or concert wouldn't he. It of course is not a vanity project which he likes to associate himself with. Sandhills is a busy interchange station as it is with many people changing trains there to get to Fazakerley for Aintree Hospital. In my opinion a third platform should have been built on the west side to allow trains to open their doors on both sides. The platform need not be one of Rotherams grandiose schemes and would not cost a fortune that the likes of Baltic Station will cost as the original platform and passageways are still in situ.

He's right that anything of significant expense needs to justify itself all year round. You're looking at somewhere around 30 times a year that there'll be a football match, which leaves 330 other days.

I'm not saying that the station doesn't need improvement, but spending millions on it needs to be justified on the other days of the year.

 

[ian1944]

I posted it earlier in the thread. My comment at the time was
"It looks like it was designed by M.C. Escher...

I can't see many cowled monks attending Everton home games.

 

[childwallblues]

He's right that anything of significant expense needs to justify itself all year round. You're looking at somewhere around 30 times a year that there'll be a football match, which leaves 330 other days.

I'm not saying that the station doesn't need improvement, but spending millions on it needs to be justified on the other days of the year.

I bet on those 30 days more passengers will pass through Sandhills than will pass through the new build Daresbury Station, another of Rotherhams vanity projects, in 12 months. And you must remember that its not just the football stadium in this area. Everton owners are plannig other developments in the area.

 

[Meerkat]

In my opinion a third platform should have been built on the west side to allow trains to open their doors on both sides.

Would that get approved by the safety people and unions?
A driver could presumably do it (no more doors than a 12 car in London) but a guard would have to go through the process twice, which would be rather time consuming (assuming he could get from one side of the train to the other)

 

[Bletchleyite]

A driver could presumably do it (no more doors than a 12 car in London) but a guard would have to go through the process twice, which would be rather time consuming (assuming he could get from one side of the train to the other)

Merseyrail is in effect DOO now.

 

[childwallblues]

I was at Sandhills last Thursday (17th). The former waiting room space on the platform was barriered off and a lot of pneumatic drilling was taking place.

 

[Birkonian]

Why should the Merseyside council tax payer subsidise Everton F.C.? The new ground will no doubt be a money-spinner especially if concerts take place. I live in Wirral and won't be visiting the ground. Everton should stump up the majority cost of any improvements.

 

[Meerkat]

Why should the Merseyside council tax payer subsidise Everton F.C.? The new ground will no doubt be a money-spinner especially if concerts take place. I live in Wirral and won't be visiting the ground. Everton should stump up the majority cost of any improvements.

It’s a money spinner for Merseyside - lots of people spending lots of money, and a catalyst for regenerating that area.
Presumably football fans and other visitors to the stadium will provide a significant fares income for many years too.

 

[KevinTurvey]

In the last couple of weeks enabling and foundation works for the new footbridge have commenced at the south end of the platform, whether or not this will be ready for the new season remains to be seen.

 

[KevinTurvey]

Passing through today and the new footbridge is largely erected. I assume the last section spanning across the southbound line will need a possession to complete.

To be honest I thought it would look hideous from the 3D render, but it actually looks OK and not at all overbearing from the platform.

 

[lfc84]

there's video on youtube showing drone footage of the works. the user who uploaded the video on youtube is named ScouserWithADrone

 

[childwallblues]

Passing through the station today a large crane was lifting stairways in place. By tonight the walkway over the southbound track should be the only piece left to be fitted.
New signs have appeared on the platform. Green backed with a football at one end they say
Sandhills Station
Alight here for
Hill Dickinson Stadium
Soccabus to Anfield

 

[FrontSideBus]

When I read they were having stairs and a walkway, I assumed they were going to have it going to the other side towards the stadium.. but this is just another route into the sheep pens?

 

[childwallblues]

When I read they were having stairs and a walkway, I assumed they were going to have it going to the other side towards the stadium.. but this is just another route into the sheep pens?

Spot on there FrontSideBus. I would call it sheep pen segregation. I think that Merseytravel will soon find out that that the current works being carried out will not be enough.

 

[Skie]

It's a route from the holding pens, so zero point it going anywhere else. Sandhills can handle arrivals in large numbers just fine, it's the volume of people waiting for a train that needs management. The pens hold at least a trainload of people for each destination, and the footbridge will help fill the platform from both ends.

The only way to improve the situation further is to run more trains, which they may still have to do. Either that or make Sandhills a Southport/Ormskirk/Headbolt Lane only station for a few hours after a match, and advise anyone wanting the Wirral line or Hunts Cross to walk to Moorfields/James Street.

 

[childwallblues]

It's a route from the holding pens, so zero point it going anywhere else. Sandhills can handle arrivals in large numbers just fine, it's the volume of people waiting for a train that needs management. The pens hold at least a trainload of people for each destination, and the footbridge will help fill the platform from both ends.

The only way to improve the situation further is to run more trains, which they may still have to do. Either that or make Sandhills a Southport/Ormskirk/Headbolt Lane only station for a few hours after a match, and advise anyone wanting the Wirral line or Hunts Cross to walk to Moorfields/James Street.

Your "only way to improve the situation" would in my opinion make the situation worse. As I have previously said to deal with the anticipated crowds they are going to have to re-instate the closed platform to the west of the current platform for which the passageways are still there albeit boarded up.

 

[Skie]

Your "only way to improve the situation" would in my opinion make the situation worse. As I have previously said to deal with the anticipated crowds they are going to have to re-instate the closed platform to the west of the current platform for which the passageways are still there albeit boarded up.

I should have said "only short term way to improve the situation"

But I don't really agree. Converting the island platform to a Southbound platform and adding a quite narrow platform to handle the Northbound passengers isnt enough to remove the need for the pens. If they could take some of the embankment or Royal Mail depot for the platform supports then yeah, it could work, but that is getting pretty costly.

Looking further south, they could add a huge Northbound platform over Boundary street and treat it as an event only 3rd platform/station with entrances on both sides of the street to fill the platform from both ends, but then you almost double staffing costs for events.

It's pretty criminal that none of this was underway years ago. I know an early proposal was to have an entrance to Sandhills that is in the same place that the bridge/walkway is but to come up from under the arch below instead, but obviously that was nixxed at some point in favour of the cheaper bridge/walkway.

 

[TheSel]

Now being reported on the BBC that Miserytravel are encouraging fans to walk, rather than use Sandhills station.

Backlash as travel operator tells Everton fans 'get your steps in'

Supporters mock a suggestion they could walk 30 minutes through Liverpool to the club's new ground.

www.bbc.co.uk

"Everton Stadium is just 30 mins walk from Moorfields station – a great opportunity to get your steps in for the day and soak up the atmosphere for the big game!"

Unsurprisingly, some are unhappy. Even more unsurprisingly, some have taken to humour, including gems such as:

"Just a mere seven-hour walk from nearby Southport railway station",

"A great opportunity to swim across the Mersey".

"Only in Liverpool does the travel service tell you to walk,"

All the above quoted from the linked BBC article.

I'm guessing Mr Rotheram will be absenting himself from the area on Saturday, rather than proudly claiming the 'success' of the venture to be solely down to his intervention.

 

[55002]

Now being reported on the BBC that Miserytravel are encouraging fans to walk, rather than use Sandhills station.

Backlash as travel operator tells Everton fans 'get your steps in'

Supporters mock a suggestion they could walk 30 minutes through Liverpool to the club's new ground.

www.bbc.co.uk

"Everton Stadium is just 30 mins walk from Moorfields station – a great opportunity to get your steps in for the day and soak up the atmosphere for the big game!"

Unsurprisingly, some are unhappy. Even more unsurprisingly, some have taken to humour, including gems such as:

"Just a mere seven-hour walk from nearby Southport railway station",

"A great opportunity to swim across the Mersey".

"Only in Liverpool does the travel service tell you to walk,"

All the above quoted from the linked BBC article.

I'm guessing Mr Rotheram will be absenting himself from the area on Saturday, rather than proudly claiming the 'success' of the venture to be solely down to his intervention.

it is ridiculous the seemingly lack of planning on all fronts transport wise for this new stadium from Sandhills, to this recent messaging to the parking restrictions basically covering anywhere inside Queens Drive, even on non match days.

 

[Djgr]

it is ridiculous the seemingly lack of planning on all fronts transport wise for this new stadium from Sandhills, to this recent messaging to the parking restrictions basically covering anywhere inside Queens Drive, even on non match days.

Well it certainly hasn't helped that Everton's plans have changed multiple times over the years.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Travelled from Liverpool Central up to Southport yesterday, so passed through Sandhills station. What I hadn't fully realised before, is that whilst Sandhills is indeed the nearest station to the new Everton stadium, it's further away from the City Centre, so for anyone heading back towards, say Moorfields, for the Wirral Line, it might be quicker walking. Definitely a bit of a schlep, though.

 

[Djgr]

Travelled from Liverpool Central up to Southport yesterday, so passed through Sandhills station. What I hadn't fully realised before, is that whilst Sandhills is indeed the nearest station to the new Everton stadium, it's further away from the City Centre, so for anyone heading back towards, say Moorfields, for the Wirral Line, it might be quicker walking. Definitely a bit of a schlep, though.

About 25 minutes but many football fans have always walked from the city centre to both Goodison Park and Anfield.

(Last time I looked there was a sign outside Lime Street station saying something like-Walking route to Anfield 2 and a half miles)
 
And so this is not really anything new.