The Heswall Wish List 1: Let the train take the strain and put Heswall station back on the rails

Heswall Nub News is looking forward to brighter times, and asking readers to think of ways we can help bring them to pass. The feedback we receive will inform a wish list of things small and large that would improve the town.

Yesterday we wondered if Heswall and district could take advantage of the staycation boom predicted to happen when lockdown ends. Could visitors be persuaded to come here on a day trip or a short break and contribute to the local economy?

Among the many helpful observations made in response was this one: that Heswall, unlike West Kirby and Hoylake, has no direct train to and from Liverpool.

The reason is this: operated by Transport for Wales, the Borderlands line on which Heswall Hills station sits relies on diesel engined locomotives; while the Merseyrail lines are electrified. Therefore, anyone wishing to travel between Liverpool and Heswall has to change at Bidston.

It may seem a minor inconvenience, but it puts travellers off, and if Heswall is to attract visitors from over the water, and make it easier for locals working in Liverpool or wishing to enjoy it, a decent connection between the town and city would help.

There is hope. In the interests of the environment all lines must surely give way to electrification in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, the present and past have a lot to say about the relationship between a small town like ours and rail travel.

136 years ago the first Heswall railway station opened for business. 65 years ago it was closed to passengers. It was on the south side of Station Road, on the land now occupied by Riverbank Close. There are still some traces left – like the remains of a wall that once formed part of the booking office for a pretty, rural jumping off and on point that connected Heswall to West Kirby and Hooton with stops along the way.

When we posted a picture of the first station on Facebook it inspired many comments. Some referred wistfully to a bygone age, others described how their homes were built on land where the station once stood.

Of course, the line it served is now the Wirral Way that adds so much to the area. But pictures of the vanished Lower Village station do beg questions about the 21st century station that bears the Heswall name.

It dates back to 1898 when it was opened as Heswall Hills. In 1973 it was renamed Heswall and, let's be frank, enjoys none of the charm and warmth of its Victorian forebears. To say that Heswall Station is utilitarian is an understatement.

It is not a cheery place and encourages neither departures nor arrivals. It is badly in need of a makeover and the gallery of pictures at the top of this page sums up the challenge.

It's not as if the station adds value to the town, but if we imagine it served an easier to use line, and was a more attractive place to wait, it would.

The point, I think, is this: it's the sort of project Heswall could lobby for.

The chances are slim, especially now as we set about tackling the consequences of the pandemic, but as the cliche has it, "if you don't ask, you don't get".

Who knows, in a century's time people may be sharing pictures of a little station that became bright after years of neglect. Maybe more people will use the train to visit Heswall.

Remember, if you build it they will come.