New proposals for a train station

Bid to name new Baltic rail station after punk icon

By HARLEY MULLEN New contenders for the name of a Liverpool train station have gained traction in the Baltic Triangle.

Support is growing for a new Merseyrail station in Liverpool to be named after a veteran figure in the city’s creative industries.

The public have been asked to vote on the name for the soon-to-be reopened St James station, in the Baltic Triangle. The station is aiming to open to passengers in 2025.

Three options were on the shortlist:

Liverpool Baltic, Liverpool Parliament Street and Liverpool Riverside.

However, the Baltic Market have put forward their own suggestion with a special reason.

A campaign was launched on Change.org for the new station to be named St.Jayne, after Jayne Casey, a ‘70s punk legend who played a part in the creation of the area in the early 2000s.

Launched Friday 28th January, the campaign has gathered over 500 signatures.

Spearheaded by Daniel Hunt, the page reads: “Jayne Casey played a huge part in the Baltic resurgence; pioneering the creation of the Baltic Creative.

“Put simply, without the foresight of Jayne Casey there would be no Baltic Triangle.”

Jayne Casey was born in 1956 and is best known for her involvement in the Liverpool punk and new wave scene. She featured in bands such as Big in Japan, Pink Military and Pink Industry in the 70s and 80s.

The artist was also involved involved in the planning and directing of city arts events, including 2008 Capital of Culture. These events led to the setting up of a Liverpool creative area – the ‘Baltic Triangle’

Despite stepping down from her position on Baltic Creative’s Board of Directors in 2018, Casey remains involved in the area to this day as a Founding Director.

The new railway stop will be based at the site of the former St James’ station which was closed during the First World War as a cost cutting measure. The station was never reopened.

Entertainment venues and businesses situated in the Baltic Triangle have been delighted to see more money put into the area.

The new station will give direct access to the fast-growing pocket of the city and the nearby waterfront.

A £1.5m investment by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has allowed the highly anticipated project to move into onto the next stage.

“Put simply, without the foresight of Jayne Casey there would be no Baltic Triangle”

Speaking on Instagram @BalticMarket said: “This station will be a 30 second walk to us! It’s going to be so great for everyone here in @ CainsBreweryVillage and @BalticTriangle”

The planned modern look of the station aims to reflect the area in which it is situated.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I am ambitious about the future of public transport in our region and Liverpool’s new station – alongside another new station at Headbolt Lane in Kirkby – are only the first step towards an expanded Merseyrail for All network.

“I want our region to have what London has had for years - a transport system that is affordable, reliable, and easy to use.”

The petition can be found on the Change.Org website at https://www. change.org/p/liverpool-city-region-authority-rename-liverpool-train -station-st-james-as-st-jayne-s

The official public vote is open until 5pm on Friday 18 February and can be accessed at https://newliverpoolstation.commonplace.is/