Merseyrail has announced a temporary closure of the main entrance at Moorfields station for essential escalator upgrades. The closure will begin at 9 pm on Sunday, 21 September 2025, and will last throughout the entire day on Monday, 22 September 2025. Commuters are being directed to use the Old Hall Street entrance during this period.
This short-term disruption is part of a much larger £1 million renovation project aimed at modernising the station, which is the third busiest on the Merseyrail network. The work follows a previous extended outage of the same escalators that lasted nearly two years.
Key Takeaways
- Closure Dates: The main entrance at Moorfields will be closed from 9 pm on Sunday, 21 September, and all day on Monday, 22 September 2025.
- Reason: The closure is required for essential escalator upgrade work.
- Alternative Access: Passengers must use the Old Hall Street entrance during the closure.
- Wider Context: The work is part of a £1 million first-phase renovation of the station, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Scheduled Closure Details
Merseyrail confirmed the upcoming closure to ensure necessary maintenance could be carried out safely and efficiently. The main entrance, a primary access point for thousands of daily commuters, will be unavailable to the public for approximately 27 hours.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, a Merseyrail spokesperson provided clear instructions for passengers.
"The main entrance will be closed from 21:00 on Sun 21 Sept & all day Mon 22 Sept for essential escalator upgrades. Please use the Old Hall Street entrance during this time. Please note: The lift will still be available."
The availability of the lift ensures that accessibility is maintained for passengers with mobility needs. However, all other foot traffic will be rerouted through the station's second entrance on Old Hall Street.
Alternative Route for Passengers
The Old Hall Street entrance, located at the corner of Tithebarn Street, will serve as the sole point of entry and exit during the maintenance period. This entrance typically operates on a more limited schedule, open only from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays.
Merseyrail has confirmed it will be available for use throughout the closure, accommodating the flow of passengers who would normally use the main Moorfields entrance.
Previous Escalator Issues
This planned upgrade comes only a few months after the same escalators were brought back into service following a significant period of inactivity. For almost two years, the escalators were out of action, causing considerable inconvenience for regular users of the station.
A History of Disruption
The escalators at the main entrance were initially taken out of service for what was expected to be a month-long repair of faulty components. However, the project was beset by delays, extending the outage significantly. Merseyrail previously cited misuse and acts of anti-social behaviour as contributing factors to the prolonged downtime, which complicated repair efforts and required more extensive work than first anticipated.
The lengthy closure highlighted existing concerns about the station's ageing infrastructure. The return to service was a welcome development for commuters, making this new, albeit brief, closure a necessary step to ensure their long-term reliability.
Part of a £1 Million Station Overhaul
The escalator work is not an isolated repair but a component of a comprehensive, multi-million-pound plan to revitalise Moorfields station. In July, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) committed £1 million to fund the first phase of a major renovation project.
Moorfields Station by the Numbers
- Opened: 1977
- Lines Served: Northern and Wirral Lines
- Network Rank: 3rd busiest station on the Merseyrail network
- Type: Largest underground station in the network
- Daily Users: Thousands of commuters, primarily serving Liverpool's commercial district
This initial phase is designed to address the station's tired appearance and improve its overall functionality and accessibility. The planned works are substantial and aim to create a more modern and welcoming environment for passengers.
Planned Improvements in Phase One
The investment will cover a range of visible and structural upgrades. According to the plans, the project includes:
- New Cladding: Replacing worn exterior surfaces to give the station a cleaner, more modern look.
- LED Lighting: Installing energy-efficient lighting to improve visibility and reduce the station's carbon footprint.
- Enhanced Signage: Upgrading wayfinding signs to make navigating the station easier for passengers.
- Covered Staircase: Providing shelter for users of the station's external stairs.
- Secure Cycle Storage: Relocating and improving bicycle storage facilities to encourage active travel.
Subject to final planning and design approvals, construction on this first phase is scheduled to begin in October 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
A Vision for the Future
Transport officials have emphasised that the £1 million project is just the beginning. It represents the first step in a broader, more ambitious vision to completely transform Moorfields station. The long-term goal is to modernise the facility to a standard that reflects its critical importance to Liverpool's economic centre.
Moorfields is a vital hub, connecting thousands of workers to the city's main business district around Old Hall Street every day. Built in the 1970s as a replacement for the historic Liverpool Exchange station, it has become an indispensable part of the city's transport infrastructure.
As the largest underground station on the Merseyrail network, its upkeep is crucial. Work is already underway behind the scenes to develop the next stages of its transformation, ensuring it can effectively serve the Liverpool City Region for decades to come.