Explanation T2

8.10

A key element of the Merseyside Local Transport Plan is the provision of a 3-line Light Rapid Transit system (known as Merseytram) to link Liverpool City Centre with parts of Knowsley and the eastern fringes of Liverpool. The Merseytram system will provide a high quality, electrically powered, rail based transit system, with high levels of segregated operation. Merseytram will be encouraged to source its electricity power from sustainable renewable energy sources where possible. Of the three lines, two will fall partly within Knowsley. A proposed third line would link Liverpool City Centre with a proposed interchange facility at Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, but at this stage it is not yet known whether any part of this line will fall partly within Knowsley as the exact route is in the early design stages and is subject to further discussions.

8.11

A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been prepared and adopted for Merseytram Line 1, published March 2004. It has been decided that, due to the advanced stage of the Replacement Knowsley Unitary Development Plan, it is not appropriate to prepare a Supplementary Planning Document for Merseytram Line 2.  

8.12

The route for the Merseytram Line 1 has now been finalised. Line 1 will link Liverpool with Kirkby Town Centre via the A580 (East Lancs Road), Moorgate Road and County Road. This line will terminate adjacent to the bus station on Cherryfield Drive. There will also be the possibility of an extension in the future to link with a proposed new railway station and transport interchange at Headbolt Lane, Kirkby.

8.13

Line 2 will link Liverpool City Centre with Prescot via the A57 (Liverpool Road), including a transport interchange at Prescot railway station, and will also serve Whiston Hospital. Route options within Prescot are currently being considered. The Council will be supportive of Line 3 subject to it meeting the policies and criteria set out in this Plan and further discussions. Although there are no firm proposals at present, the potential exists to consider further extensions to the Merseytram network in the future if required and subject to their feasibility.

8.14

Proposals for new tramways such as Merseytram require the approval of the Government under the Transport and Works Act, 1992. A  Transport and Works Act Order approval for line 1 was granted on 21st December 2004, and it is anticipated that applications for approval under the Act will be submitted for lines 2 and 3.

8.15

The Council considers it important that the Merseytram system should be of a high quality design. A generic Merseytram Design Guide and one for Line 1 have been prepared, both published in October 2003, which will ensure that the scheme (including tram stops, overhead wires and stanchions, terminus buildings and maintenance depots) is of high visual quality and that any environmental harm (e.g. due to disturbance for neighbouring residents, noise, or visual intrusion) is minimised. When constructing the tram routes and their associated infrastructure the opportunity should be taken to improve walking & cycling routes, enhance the local environment & streetscape and reduce visual clutter to a minimum. Merseytram Design Guides for Line 2 and 3 will be prepared in due course. Also mitigation measures will be taken to ensure that unacceptable harm to the free and safe flow of traffic is avoided.

8.16

The final alignment and design of the Merseytram scheme will also need to fit in with broader proposals for the regeneration of surrounding areas, including those for Kirkby and Prescot town centres, North Huyton and South Prescot.

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