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Markets
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Services
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Location
Liverpool, UK
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Client
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority & Liverpool City Council
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Collaborators
Steer, Cushman & Wakefield, Weston Williamson & Partners
Luke Ellis
Delivery Director - Combined Authorities & City Regions, Liverpool, UK contact form
AtkinsRéalis is the strategic partner supporting Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to transform Liverpool Central Station as catalyst for regional regeneration
Since opening in 1874, Liverpool Central Station has connected the city's commercial heart with its suburbs and beyond. For over a century, it has served as arrival point, departure hall and meeting place for generations of local peopleToday, as the busiest station outside London by average platform use, it handles 31,000 daily journeys — almost half of all trips made on the Merseyrail network.
AtkinsRéalis and its partners have supported Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to develop the masterplanning, business case and funding strategy for this £2.5 billion regeneration programme, which will reshape how people move through Liverpool and how the city grows.
The redevelopment would increase station capacity and improve Liverpool Central’s integration with neighboring Lime Street station. This will catalyse regeneration across an 86-acre gateway connecting the retail core, Knowledge Quarter and Lime Street - unlocking housing, employment and economic growth across the city region and beyond into Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales.
A key priority has been identifying the most appropriate funding models to deliver the scheme, including securing private sector investment alongside public funding.
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AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Piloting place-based investment
Liverpool Central has been selected by the Department for Transport and the Office for Investment as one of four national pilots for the reformed Green Book — the Government’s guidance that shapes public investment decisions. The 2025 reforms enable multiple government departments to assess a project's value across transport, economic development, housing and regeneration, rather than through a single benefit-cost ratio that has historically favoured projects in London and the South East.
As strategic partner, AtkinsRéalis has led a consortium with Steer and Cushman & Wakefield to demonstrate how this place-based approach can unlock regional infrastructure value. The consortium has facilitated strategic engagement sessions, coordinated evidence gathering and developed a business case that captures benefits beyond traditional transport appraisal.
Our role
AtkinsRéalis was first appointed in 2024 to provide multi-disciplinary support to help shape the vision and establish strategic direction. In 2025, AtkinsRéalis formed a consortium with Steer and Cushman & Wakefield to deliver the programme. Services delivered include:
- Station design visioning and masterplanning strategy
- Business case development
- Development of strategic investment prospectus
- Funding and finance strategy
- Regeneration proposals
- Project and stakeholder management
Strategic support
The consortium engaged continuously with LCRCA, Network Rail, Merseyrail, Liverpool City Council and development partners, establishing governance structures that balance ambition with deliverability. This collaborative approach enabled technical development to align with city region priorities, ensuring transport, regeneration, housing and economic outcomes were considered together. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying viable private sector funding models and commercial opportunities to complement public investment.
Our work has included scoping how the station would support Northern Powerhouse Rail plans and the Liverpool-Manchester Railway transformation.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Like King's Cross and St Pancras in London, Liverpool Central and Lime Street will function as an integrated hub - driving investment, regeneration and connectivity across the North.
Luke Ellis
Delivery Director - Combined Authorities & City Regions
Redefining social value delivery
As part of our social value commitment, AtkinsRéalis delivered a holistic programme encompassing education, skills development, employment access and public safety, aligned with Liverpool City Region priorities.
- Early education: We worked with local primary and secondary schools to provide curriculum-linked engagement on climate literacy, engineering and net zero concepts through classroom sessions, design challenges and site-based learning.
- Work experience: We supported economically inactive residents through a structured work trial programme delivered with local employment services. Participants completed supervised placements across disciplines including architecture, sustainability and project management, building confidence and workplace skills which has directly supported progression into sustained employment for some participants.
- Community safety: We worked with Merseyside Police, British Transport Police and community partners on crime prevention and safety around the station, informing approaches to station operations and public space design.
Taken together, LCRCA considers this programme to have set a new benchmark for social value delivery. By reaching across the full skills spectrum and aligning this with public safety activity, Liverpool Central Station demonstrates how structured, project‑linked interventions can deliver sustained economic outcomes and more inclusive public spaces.
Progress and next steps
AtkinsRéalis’ strategic work has strengthened the project's positioning with government and increased ambition for what Liverpool Central can achieve. The next phase will focus on advancing technical development and securing the necessary approvals and funding to move the scheme forward.
The scheme will provide a new gateway to the city, unlocking growth through housing delivery, employment creation and private sector investment while improving connectivity across the city region.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Liverpool Central presents a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver a world-class transport hub - expanding capacity, upgrading facilities, enhancing accessibility, and improving connectivity across the city region and beyond, while repositioning the station as a vibrant destination that supports regeneration and long-term economic growth.
Jamie Ross
Director of Transport, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
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