Extra train capacity promised for new stadium curtain-raiser

Extra train capacity promised for Everton match

28 minutes ago Share Save Giulia Bould & Jenny Coleman BBC News, Liverpool Share Save

BBC Everton's first home game of the new season takes place on 23 August at 15:00 BST

There will be extra train capacity in place to cope with increased demand when Everton play their first home game of the season at their new stadium, the Liverpool City Region mayor has said. The Blues face Brighton & Hove Albion on 23 August at the Hills Dickinson Stadium, the same weekend as the city hosts International Beatles Week with gigs planned for The Pier Head just a mile away. Steve Rotheram has promised to double capacity on some Merseyrail services after facing criticism after a test event in March saw a high level of demand. He said he would "squeeze every single ounce out of the capacity in the network we've got".

After the test event fans complained of some Merseyrail services being "awful", with reports of staff having to tell some passengers to get off before the trains could leave.

Giulia Bould/BBC A number of issues were raised about Sandhills station after a test event in March

There were also large crowds on the relatively small platform at Sandhills station, which some people said created a "dangerous situation". "There were problems with people hours before trying to get into town and we only had four carriage trains on," Mr Rotheram said. "So there will be eight carriages from an earlier start." He also said he hoped to encourage more people to walk from the city centre or from other nearby Merseyrail stations, adding that over time he expected fans to develop their own routine. "We need to use Bank Hall more, we need to use James St more and potentially even Moorfields more," he said. "We are hoping that as people find their own pattern of behaviour, because that's what happens with football fans, that they will perhaps come into town find a pub that they want, and then people will take their own time and get there in plenty of time for the kick-off." He said a fan management zone near to the stadium will also help to cope with increased footfall in the area and would "help to ensure that people can arrive safely and leave in a safe manner".

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