Merseyrail’s Northern Line has reopened after major engineering work to strengthen and waterproof four underground tunnels in Liverpool.
Network Rail’s £3.5m project on the Victorian-built tunnels between Brunswick and Liverpool Central stations is designed to prevent moisture interfering with the ‘third rail’ system which powers trains in the Victorian-built tunnels.
A crew of 50 workers began the upgrades on October 11. The work involved removal 92m² of old concrete ahead of new concrete being applied; drilling 6,500 holes in the tunnel walls for waterproofing injections; drilling 115 holes in the tunnel walls to direct water into drainage; and waterproofing 1,688m² of tunnel wall.
Alongside the strengthening and waterproofing work, power control systems were modernised across the Northern and Wirral lines during four extended Sunday closures.
Merseyrail chief operating officer Stephen Dodd said the tunnel upgrades would strengthen the long-term reliability of the Northern Line and help reduce the risk of future disruption.
Liverpool Central is one of the busiest stations in the UK, recording more than 14 million entries and exits during 2024/25.
