MORE than 500 people have signed a petition calling for a new train service to Liverpool.

At the time of writing, 508 people had signed the online petition which asks for a direct train from Heswall to Liverpool.

The petition argues that the current journey, which requires a change at Bidston, is a problem and that now could be the time to improve transport links given the new trains coming to Merseyside.

In encouraging news for those who want to see better rail links in the area, a spokesperson for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said mayor Steve Rotheram was looking into the possibility of running services from Liverpool to Wrexham via Heswall.

The petition, posted on Change.org, read: "This [change at Bidston] is a disincentive for local travellers who either work in Liverpool or wish to enjoy the city, and equally for visitors to Heswall from Liverpool.

"The change at Bidston is required because the diesel trains of the Borderlands line on which Heswall sits give way to the electric trains of Merseyrail.

"The days of diesel are numbered and battery powered locomotives are being trialled by Merseyrail – so this petition requests that thought is given now to Heswall’s unsatisfactory and environmentally unsound connectivity."

A spokesperson for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: "[Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram] has pledged to deliver 'Merseyrail for all' by expanding services across the city region, including looking into the possibility of services from Liverpool to Wrexham via Heswall.

"We have held initial discussions with Transport for Wales, who currently operate on the Bidston to Wrexham line, about the possibility of running Merseyrail services on this line.

"This is at a very early stage though, and while the development of the battery operated train is a real positive step towards this, there would need to be a full feasibility study undertaken before they could operate on the line.”

The statement continued: "Any study would have to look into several points including the compatibility of the new trains on the line, upgrades to infrastructure along the route and the affect additional trains would have on the existing Merseyrail timetable, particularly in relation to the city centre underground loop.

"It would also be subject to the availability of additional funding to support the expansion.

"We plan to begin the initial study in early 2022.

"It remains an ambition to introduce these services in the future and we will continue to work towards delivering this as quickly as feasibly possible."