Several new train stations could be added to the Merseyrail network under ambitious new proposals.

Halton’s Widnes, Wirral’s Woodchurch and St Helens’ Carr Mill could all be linked up to the Merseyrail network under Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ‘Merseyrail for All’ plan.

In the case of Carr Mill and Woodchurch that would involve building new stations.

He announced the proposals yesterday when launching his re-election campaign ahead of May’s local elections, with improved transport forming a key part of his policy platform.

He said if he were to win a second term, investigations would also be done to see how transport could be improved to Anfield, Bramley Moore Dock and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Metro Mayor Rotheram said he had also begun negotiations with government on the full devolution of Merseyrail, which could see our region become the first in the country to take a railway into public ownership.

But the ‘Merseyrail for All’ plans are the most extensive, and likely the most costly, part of his transport plans.

Metro Mayor Rotheram said it was his ambition for Merseyrail to one day serve all six boroughs in the city region.

The plans run in tandem with his proposals to start bringing all forms of public transport in our region under one system and unifying ticket costs and pricing to make a ‘London-style’ transport network.

He said: “I travel on public transport every day and I see its strengths and weakness only too clearly.

“Even given the progress we’ve made the system remains too fragmented with little incentive for private companies to work together for the benefit of people rather than their shareholders.”

Metro Mayor Rotheram also pledged to work towards better rail connections to the Port of Liverpool and said proposals for our region’s bus network would be put forward in the coming months.

He faces re-election on Thursday, May 7.