Merseytravel has completed a series of improvements works at Birkdale station near Southport following a £520,000 investment.

The works have transformed the station, on Merseyrail’s Northern Line (to Southport), and took just over four months to complete.

The investment by Merseytravel was supported by £50,000 from Sefton Council and funded a surface and drainage works to improve the car park, which now includes 92 marked out parking bays, including seven for Blue Badge holders.

It also funded improved walkways; a new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant ramp for easier access to the Liverpool bound platform, better CCTV and lighting, new fencing and new flower containers.

Passenger Transport Authority member, Cllr Bob Roberts, and Ralph Gregson, Chair of the Birkdale Civic Society, joined Cllr Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, to see the improvements that have taken place.

Cllr Mark Dowd, said: “Birkdale Station is a better place for all the improvements that have taken place and we will continue to invest in all areas of Merseyside to make travelling by train better for everyone.”

Cllr Bob Roberts, said: “The works are a major step forward for the station and we have improved facilities not only for visitors, but for all those people who use the trains every day.”

Ralph Gregson, Chair of the Birkdale Civic Society, added: “"Birkdale Station has been completely revamped and it is looking really good. The new paintwork has given the place a much brighter and cleaner appearance and the new flower containers have been well really well received by commuters and residents. The new car park is proving to be such a major success that it is almost always full!”