Oritelad, the line is mothballed, hence the bridges still intact. Nothing official has been mentioned at all. I don't think it was mentioned in the last two RUS'.
As focus has to shift to Merseyrail as the trams are virtually dead, these lines will be given some thought.
The "Outer Loop", does not need to use the Kirkdale to Rice Lane tunnel to get back to the city centre. It can branch into the Kirkby line just east of Rice Lane station. The cheapest way. The curves from the tunnel to the Outer Loop were stupidly built on. This is not a major show-stopper but another wall in the way.
A new Airport Line can seamlessly run onto the Outer Loop & Northern Line
Do we want the London line, Manchester line and Merseyrail to all call in at an airport station? I would say yes, as those in Warrington and Manchester can get to the airport directly. Those from Crewe and even the likes of Milton Keynes in Bucks could go direct quickly if the flight is what they want from Liverpool.
That means a branch from these lines before the Finch Farm EFC training ground and then run in over mainly fields. Merseyrail can get in that way as well - running around the back of the Jag factory and EFC. That means the airport station is a branch line. One of the Outer Loop curves has a building on it. This is no show-stopper as the free curve can be used using tighter curves using light rail trains. If it is to be an airport through station. Matters are more difficult getting across back to the London/Mcr lines north of the airport. Expensive bridges would need to be built.
It can also be used for freight at the cargo terminal Peel fantasise about at the airport linking Seaforth container terminal and the airport and maybe Garston Docks.
Below: Merseyrail in red, it can use the London line behind the Jaguar factory or the Manchester line - the top line.
The London lines in blue.
The Manchester line in green.
A new Merseyrail station can be built at Hale and Halewood station brought onto Merseyrail. Merseyrail using the London line would mean duel voltage trains using the overhead wires. Using the more preferable Manchester line would mean electrification for the short section from Hunts Cross to the branch and into the airport.
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If the Outer Loop is recommissioned, in
light blue, it could have a direct line into the airport. This gives huge parts of north, east and south Liverpool direct access to the airport.
EFC are at Finch Farm on the map.
Connecting Outer Loop at the North End
The line runs past the Long Lane industrial area which the council suggested as location for an EFC stadium. So two birds killed with one stone shifting 30,000 fans an hour per game.
The mothballed Outer Loop in red
Above: A branch near Hartley's Hill Aintree, along the Outer Loop to Hunts Cross, which could also have the lines from Walton through Kirkdale and Sandhills (marked yellow) reinstated to 4 tracks if needed.
by Mke: Connecting the north end of the Outer Loop onto the Kirkby Line at Rice Lane station, using a part of the old Langton Dock branch trackbed
A branch of the Outer Loop into the Lpool-Mcr Line at Broad Green in the 1970s was planned. It was cancelled as the government ran out of money. This can come later after an opening of the Outer Loop when the city expands and finances are available. This gives a more radial link into the city centre.
North Mersey Line - From Bootle to Aintree
This is one track and used for maintenance trains. If this was brought back into commission this would provide an alternative route from Ormskirk alleviating the branch from Kirkdale to Kirkby. This have been mentioned in the last RUS, but not taken seriously enough. Merseytravel always touch on easy to recommission lines, rather than face the crux in the Liverpool's centre.
Light-Rail Carriages
Light-rail has the advantage of easily extending onto Liverpool and Wirral Waters and using very tight curves when connecting existing disused tunnels like the Waterloo tunnel or up a gantry into the Dingle Tunnel. One or two small cars can be used during off-peak hours.
Siemens recently announced the "City" light-rail version of its Desiro car range. It can negotiate tighter curves, ideal for running into Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters, and reduces track wear - the city centre Wirral Loop line is prone to track wear. This would be suitable for Merseyrail. Using banks of super capacitors at the sides of tracks brake regen can be achieved reducing overhead line size and reducing running costs.
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