St Helens Borough Council is advancing proposals to revive the disused Sutton Oak Rail Line as a green corridor, with the option to accommodate rail or other transport in the future.
Branded the Sutton Oak Link, the initiative follows a feasibility study that highlights strong potential and a compelling business case to turn the historic route into a people-first movement corridor connecting existing neighbourhoods and new developments along its length.
Reusing this piece of the borough’s industrial heritage as a modern transport spine could unlock significant benefits, complementing the recent award of £20m in Pride in Place funding from the Government. The scheme is intended to reconnect communities and key destinations between St Helens Central and St Helens Junction stations, including the Moss Nook housing development in Sutton, St Helens Hospital and The Brewdog Stadium. It aims to provide a safe, inclusive route for walking, cycling and wheeling; create attractive green spaces that enhance leisure opportunities and biodiversity while tackling anti-social behaviour; encourage healthier travel choices to relieve persistent congestion pinch points; and rationalise and improve bridges along the line.
The Council’s feasibility work confirms that progressing the initial Sutton Oak Link concept would not preclude the future reinstatement of passenger rail services. Further assessment would be required to evaluate the benefits, costs and practical challenges of different options.
The Sutton Oak Rail Line was part of the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, which opened on 21 February 1833 to carry coal from St Helens to the River Mersey, later supporting passenger services between St Helens Central and St Helens Junction. Regular passenger services ended in 1951, with freight and occasional diverted passenger services continuing until 1987. The last freight train ran in September 2002. The corridor is currently inaccessible, creating a physical divide between communities and suffering from overgrowth, littering and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “The emerging Sutton Oak Link scheme presents a transformational opportunity to create a safe, attractive and accessible movement corridor that links our neighbourhoods and breathes new life into this historic route. By opening up this space, we could deliver real benefits for investment, the environment and our communities.”
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has identified the Sutton Oak Link as a priority for phased investment through its new £1.6bn Transport for City Region (TCR) Fund, secured in June and confirmed by the Chancellor ahead of this year’s Spending Review. Funding is expected to be available from 2026 to support early-stage design, planning and further business case development. The Council will now undertake a detailed, multi-stage programme of structural assessments, design work and community engagement ahead of submitting a full business case.
Councillor Groucutt added: “This scheme shows how we can lead the way in reimagining our historic infrastructure for the future. The Sutton Oak Link could become a flagship example of how modern transport, heritage, the environment and community wellbeing can go hand in hand.”
Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
