Liverpool - Manchester Electrified Within Four Years

[Waterways]

From the pdf:
Electrification Document

Freight

70. Electrification of this route will offer electric haulage options for freight.
There will be an alternative route to Liverpool docks for electrically-operated
freight trains, and better opportunities of electrified access to the proposed
freight terminal at Parkside near Newton-le-Willows.

Alternative route? The existing Canada Dock Branch is diesel. There is no other line to Liverpool docks, unless a branch off the Canada Dock Branch line is planned. Either way, this clearly means the Canada Dock Branch Line is to be electrified and that means using dual-voltage light-rail trains to get it onto Merseyrail.

The Liverpool end clearly needs completing first as the container terminal needs the volume and the flexibility of the electric WCML. Also a new coal fueled powered station is earmarked for the Mersey Estuary, so coal imports will be greater to supply the new and existing Fidders Ferry stations.

Many other lines can be brought onto Merseyrail using dual-voltage trains, such as to St. Helens or Wigan and the line to South Parkway via Mossley Hill. Sefton Park station at Smithdown Rd can then be opened, as can Wavertree Business Park station put onto Meseyrail.

Knowing Liverpool's luck they will pull the rug when the Manchester section reaches the WCML.