About Liverpool City Region

 

 

Our Combined Authority

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is led by Mayor Steve Rotheram and brings together the region’s six local councils – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral – to tackle the big issues that matter to us all, together.

We have taken powers and funding from the national government to through a ‘devolution’ deal. This means that we can take decisions and make investments locally, where we know what our region needs, instead of them being taken by politicians and officials in London.

Through the Combined Authority, we work together to make investments in areas that have a real impact on our communities, including transport, employment and skills, culture, digital and housing. By using the devolved powers we have, we can make a real and meaningful difference to the lives of the people living and working in the area.

What are the benefits of a Combined Authority?

Working closely together with our six local councils means that we can create stronger communities and make our city region somewhere we can all be proud of.

We have already seen the benefits that our work has produced, and have invested over £1 billion in schemes to:

  • Grow our world leading, science and innovation driven economy.
  • Create tens of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships.
  • Introduce a new fleet of state-of-the-art, publicly owned trains.
  • Provide adult skills training for tens of thousands of local residents every year.
  • Help long-term unemployed families back into work.
  • Support cultural events, such as Eurovision and the return of the Giants.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Local Transport Plan

Most recently, the City Region received £1.6 billion transport investment from the government. The largest in our region’s history and a massive statement of intent towards delivering the greener, more accessible, more affordable and better-connected public transport system our 1.6 million residents deserve.
Fundamentally, this long-term plan is about inclusive growth. That means new, step-free rail stations, rapid transit links, and smart ticketing that connects communities directly to jobs, new homes, cultural attractions, and of course major regeneration projects.

Driving Housing and Regeneration

A key focus of the investment is to support thousands of new homes in locations well connected to major employers and growth industries. The funding will unlock large-scale regeneration projects in Bootle, Huyton, Birkenhead, and other town centres, including Liverpool North, which could deliver 10,000 new homes, create thousands of jobs, and transform public spaces through active travel infrastructure, highway upgrades, and enhanced connectivity.

Building on Momentum

This latest investment follows several years of record transport spending in the region, including:

  • A £500m fleet of state-of-the-art trains
  • Over 100 new all-electric, zero-emission buses
  • Extension of the Merseyrail network to Headbolt Lane in Kirkby
  • Construction of the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years

Our aim is to accelerate delivery of Mayor Rotheram’s vision for a greener, more accessible, and better-connected network. They also align with the Liverpool City Region’s Local Transport Plan (LTP4), which sets out how the network will evolve by 2040, informed by resident feedback. The next consultation round is scheduled for early next year.

How Will the £1.6bn Be Spent?

  • Rail Investment: The largest-ever investment in local rail station infrastructure, including new stations at Carr Mill (St Helens), Woodchurch (Wirral), and Daresbury (Halton), plus committed schemes at Liverpool Baltic and a redeveloped Runcorn station. A new link to Sci-Tech Daresbury is expected to support 8,000 new jobs.
  • Rapid Transit: £100m will fund a new Rapid Transit network, offering fast, modern services between Liverpool city centre, John Lennon Airport, and North Liverpool. Inspired by Belfast’s Glider, the system will improve access to major destinations such as Anfield and Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium, using traffic priority measures and road upgrades.
  • Bus Transformation: Plans include a brand-new fleet, new depot infrastructure, and the rollout of franchising—returning buses to public control for the first time in nearly 40 years.
  • Seamless Travel: Over £60m will support multimodal smart ticketing and better integration between rail, bus, and active travel, alongside major projects like the new St Helens transport interchange.
  • Safer, Smarter Roads: More than £300m will upgrade key corridors, improve road infrastructure for cars and buses, and create new walking and cycling links, supporting the region’s goal of zero road traffic deaths or injuries.

More information about us and what we do can be found here www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk.

Our Corporate Plan and Local Transport Plan can be accessed through the links below.

Corporate Plan 2024-2028   Local Transport Plan

 

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