Headbolt Lane station is now open.
Northern train services will now operate to the newly built station at Headbolt Lane, connecting with the Merseyrail network.
The new station is being delivered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in partnership with Knowsley Council, Network Rail, Merseytravel, Merseyrail and Northern.
Find out more about the new station at Headbolt Lane.
Once complete, the new station will be the terminus of Merseyrail’s Liverpool Central to Kirkby service and our current Kirkby to Wigan and Manchester service. The new station will include:
- Three level access platforms
- Step-free access throughout the station
- A bus interchange
- Cycle parking
- Links to local cycling and walking networks
- Passenger waiting facilities and toilets
- Approximately 300 park and ride spaces, including electric vehicle charging points and accessible spaces adjacent to the station.
In order to complete the new station, closures of the railway line between Wigan and Kirkby will take place with buses replacing trains until Tuesday 3 October as shown below.
For rail replacement bus times, please check National Rail Enquiries.
Please check before you travel...
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Buses replace trains between Rainford and Kirkby.
Trains will continue to run between:
- Manchester, Wigan Wallgate and Rainford.
- Liverpool Central, Sandhills and Kirkby.
Please note there is no scheduled service between Wigan Wallgate and Kirkby on Sundays.
Buses replace trains between:
- Rainford and Kirkby
- Kirkby and Liverpool Moorfields
Trains will continue to run between:
- Manchester, Wigan Wallgate and Rainford.
- Liverpool Central, Liverpool Moorfields, stations to Sandhills and Southport.
Please note there is no scheduled service between Wigan Wallgate and Kirkby on Sundays.
Buses replace trains between Rainford and Kirkby.
Trains will continue to run between:
- Manchester, Wigan Wallgate and Rainford.
- Liverpool Central, Sandhills and Kirkby.
Please note there is no scheduled service between Wigan Wallgate and Kirkby on Sundays.
When Headbolt Lane station opens in summer, it will be the new terminus of Northern services between Kirkby, Wigan, Manchester and Blackburn. Merseyrail services between Liverpool Central and Kirkby will extend to Headbolt Lane.
Rail replacement bus stop locations are listed below and can be found on dedicated green posters at all stations directly impacted by the works.
Please purchase a ticket before boarding either by app or from the ticket vending machine at stations as Penalty Fares will continue to be in place during the line closures.
Wigan Wallgate
Bus stop 'D' on Wallgate, the same side of the road as Wigan Wallgate station.
Pemberton
The bus stops on Billings Road (A571), by The Railway public house:
- To Wigan - bus stop 'B' by The Railway
- To Kirkby - bus stop 'C' opposite The Railway.
Orrell
The bus stops on Church Street:
- To Wigan - bus stop 'B' next to Edge Hall Road
- To Kirkby - bus stop 'A' by the station entrance.
Upholland
Near the entrance to platform 2 on Plimbo Lane:
- To Wigan - by the station information boards
- To Kirkby - opposite the station information boards.
Rainford
The bus stops on News Lane:
- To Wigan - bus stop 'B' by The Junction public house
- To Kirkby - bus stop 'A' next to Kendal Drive.
Kirkby
Bus stop 'A' in the station car park, by the ticket office.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.