Liverpool Council has approved a significant planning application to enhance transport facilities at Sandhills station in preparation for Everton’s new stadium.
This development aims to manage increased footfall efficiently and ensure safety for thousands of fans.
Key Infrastructure Developments
The nearest station to Everton’s new dockside stadium is set for a major change as it prepares to welcome thousands more fans. Liverpool Council has greenlit a planning application for a fan management zone at Sandhills station. As the closest Merseyrail stop to the new waterfront stadium, Sandhills will serve as a crucial transport link for both home and visiting supporters travelling to and from the city centre and the venue.
Collaboration with Authorities
Documents submitted to the local council by Merseytravel reveal that the organisation has collaborated with Everton, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, British Transport Police, Liverpool Council, and Merseyrail to handle the increased footfall.
Projected Stadium Capacity
The new home ground for the Toffees will have a capacity of 52,888 – a rise of approximately 13,000 people from Goodison Park. Due to this significant increase, proactive measures are necessary to ensure a smooth transit experience.
Operational Management Statement
An operational management statement elaborated: “The results of this work indicate that although the platforms at Sandhills and the trains serving the station could accommodate and process the volume of predicted additional passengers expected to use the services in a reasonable time period, the access to the platforms is constrained, and this places a limitation on the number of passengers that can access/egress the platform at times of likely high demand.” To address this, a new pedestrian waiting area has been proposed, purpose-built for handling and ensuring the safety of passengers during peak periods, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Location and Purpose
Situated on land adjacent to the station currently owned by Merseytravel, the zone will come into play post-football matches or other significant events to regulate the safe transfer of spectators onto train services. This solution is designed not only for football matches but also for other events attracting large crowds to the area.
Planning and Legal Considerations
The need for such an infrastructure is referenced within the Section 106 Agreement linked to an established, consented planning application concerning the new stadium. Outside the event periods, the space would revert to its usual role, accommodating storage for rail equipment or the facilitation of operations around rail replacement bus services.
Passenger Boarding Procedures
Those who intend to travel via the station will access the designated waiting area from Sandhills Lane and be guided to specific queuing lanes based on their destinations. Passengers with limited mobility will be guided away from the main queue by staff and placed in a separate area to ensure they are given priority access to the station platform via the existing accessible ramps.
Safety Measures for Mobility-Impaired Passengers
Once guided to their designated area, passengers with limited mobility will navigate through the barrier system until they can be directed onto the platform, ready to board the next train to their destination.
The introduction of a fan management zone at Sandhills station signifies a proactive approach to modern infrastructure challenges.
As Everton’s new stadium attracts larger crowds, these measures will ensure a smooth and secure travel experience for all supporters.