Liverpool City Region Combined Authority working with partners to accelerate the transition to net zero

IN a move designed to catalyse the delivery of zero emission buses, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (CA) has worked collaboratively with the Local Low Carbon Accelerator (LLCA) on a blueprint to accelerate the roll out of local net zero projects.

The Combined Authority is 1 of 3 areas that joined forces with the LLCA established by 4 members of the Prime Minister's Business Council; Lloyds Banking Group, Octopus Energy, National Grid and Shell.

The public and private sector partnership has developed delivery models and ground breaking solutions that would speed up the deployment of energy efficiency home retrofits, zero emission buses, and zero emission vehicle infrastructure.

With this in mind, the focus for the CA has been on exploring opportunities, including:- finance and procurement options, to scale the deployment of zero emission fleets as part of Mayor Rotheram's pledge to reform bus services across the Region, which will support the transition to net zero while boosting economic growth.

The move supports Mayor Steve Rotheram's ambitions for the City Region to be net zero by 2040; a decade ahead of national Government targets. The Region is already on its way to building a cleaner, greener public London-style transport system, having invested in a £500m fleet of new trains and game changing battery technology, hydrogen buses, and nearly £70m in active travel infrastructure.

The vision includes replacing 1,200 mainly diesel buses with zero emission buses through a phased approach over a period of 15 years.

Alongside this, Mayor Rotheram has also committed to investing £105m to retrofit 10,000 homes across the City Region.

The programme is helping residents to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills, while also reducing domestic property emissions across the Region.

This work culminated in the final roundtable event on:- Tuesday, 4 July 2023, that was hosted by the CA in Liverpool and chaired by UK Infrastructure Bank CEO, John Flint that bought together senior leaders to discuss the key learnings from this collaboration, providing attendees with tangible actions they can take forward with their own organisations.

The session also enabled discussions around how to navigate the remaining challenges to unlock the full impact of bus decarbonisation for the UK.

Richard McGuckin, the Combined Authority's Executive Director for Place, said:- "1 of the many benefits of working with the LLCA is being able to tap into a wealth of expertise and knowledge from other organisations and uncover options that may not have been previously identified. This valuable work will ultimately result in us putting the building blocks in place for us to deliver what we want and at pace. The decarbonisation of our transport network is a priority. Transforming bus services with innovative sustainable technology will not only directly benefit passengers but should deliver a host of other economic and environmental benefits, including:- reduced congestion, better air quality, and improved access to key public services. We've been delighted to take part in this initiative and share learning for others to draw on to drive similar projects that will enable communities to progress and develop."

The LLCA findings have been published in a report, available online, as a learning source for other Local Authorities and organisations.

Commenting on the initiative, John Flint CEO at the UK Infrastructure Bank, which has a dedicated Local Authority Advisory service as well as flexible financing options, said:- "The contribution and commitment of Combined and Local Authorities to decarbonisation of buildings and transport systems is crucial if the UK is to meet its net zero targets. They can't achieve progress at pace without private sector partnerships, and it's positive to see this in action through initiatives like the Local Low Carbon Accelerator. As a Bank we are supporting Local Authorities in all 4 nations of the UK as we seek to accelerate the transition to net zero at a local level, as well and drive Regional and local economic growth."

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MAYOR Steve Rotheram has announced that the 1st of the Liverpool City Region's new publicly owned battery powered trains will begin final testing on the network this week.

The fleet is now ready to enter final tests and driver training between Kirkby and the Town's new £80m station at Headbolt Lane, due to open later this year, which will be the 2nd new station opened by Mayor Rotheram since his election.

Once testing is complete, the trains, which deliver an 80% reduction in energy consumption, will be the 1st battery powered trains of their type in the country to operate in passenger service, cementing the City Region's place at the forefront of pioneering rail technology and innovation.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "This is not only a massive milestone for our area, but for the entire country, as our new publicly owned, battery powered trains enter final testing. Our trains will be the 1st of their kind in the country, fitted with pioneering battery technology that will help us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and better-connected London-style transport network. This is the gold standard of public transport; and it's the very least that our residents deserve. As a Kirkby native, I've heard talk about a new station, at Headbolt Lane, for as long as I can remember. Thanks to devolution, we've invested £80m to turn that dream into delivery. Extending our train network is a key part of my Merseyrail for All pledge to connect previously underserved parts of our community to our rail network; bringing them closer to new opportunities and each other. We are enormously grateful to passengers for their patience during this final testing stage but I can guarantee them that their new battery powered trains; and their brand new station; will be worth the wait!"

It follows the launch of the Region's new £500m fleet earlier this year. Designed in consultation with the public, the new fleet is among the most sophisticated and accessible in the country featuring slide step technology and other smart features, as well as additional space for wheelchair users and prams.

The battery technology, which enables the trains to run without the need for a 3rd rail, will initially be fitted on 7 of the City Region's state of the art Class 777 trains.

It marks a significant step towards the realisation of the Mayor's Merseyrail for All ambition to connect more people across the Region to more opportunities via an extended rail network.

The technology could enable the Merseyrail network to extend across all six City Region boroughs to places like Rainhill, in St Helens, and Widnes, in Halton, including:- possible links to places such as Wrexham, Warrington and Runcorn.