Progress has been made on a number of proposals across the Liverpool City Region following an update to the rail strategy that will be discussed this week.
The GRIP 3 study into the extension to Skelmersdale should be completed in 2020. Progressing separately and enabled by Transforming Cities Funding is the project to extend Merseyrail services through to a new station at Headbolt Lane. GRIP 4 work is expected to commence early in 2020.
Work has also started on reopening St James station.
A study into the reopening of Burscough curves did not have a good business case. Improvements to services on the Ormskirk line will probably be delivered by utilising batteries carried by the new trains, which is currently being reviewed by a study.
Source: Liverpool City Region: Transport Committee meeting