History of Merseyside in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 25, 2026

Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, bordering Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire. It also faces Flintshire across the Dee Estuary and the Irish Sea. Liverpool is its largest settlement. The county is a blend of urban and coastal landscapes.

1955: Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1955

Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1955.

1958: Designation as a "Special Review" Area in 1958

In 1958, Merseyside was designated a "Special Review" area under the Local Government Act.

1961: Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1961

Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1961.

1962: Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1962

Aintree Motor Racing Circuit hosted the British Grand Prix in 1962.

1962: Review of the "Special Review" Area started in 1962

In 1962, the Local Government Commission for England started a review of the Merseyside area, which had been designated as a "Special Review" area.

1965: Further areas added to the Special Review Area in 1965

In 1965, further areas, including Widnes and Runcorn, were added to the Merseyside Special Review Area.

1966: Abolishment of the commission in 1966

In 1966, the Local Government Commission was abolished and never completed its final proposals.

1970: Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive established in 1970

In 1970, the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (Merseytravel) was set up, covering Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral and Knowsley, but excluding Southport and St Helens.

1970: Rejection of the Redcliffe-Maud Report by the Conservative government elected in 1970

The Redcliffe-Maud Report was rejected by the Conservative government elected in 1970.

1971: White paper published in 1971 retains the concept of a two-tier metropolitan area.

In 1971, a white paper was published which retained the concept of a two-tier metropolitan area based on the Mersey area.

1972: Local Government Act in 1972

Merseyside was established as a metropolitan county on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act of 1972, as part of a major reform of local government in England and Wales.

April 1973: First elections of the county council members held in April 1973

In April 1973, the first elections of the 99 members of the county council were held in advance of the formal establishment of the council.

April 1974: Merseyside established as a metropolitan county on 1 April 1974

Merseyside was established as a metropolitan county on April 1, 1974 under the Local Government Act of 1972, as part of a major reform of local government in England and Wales.

April 1974: Formal establishment of the county council on 1 April 1974

On April 1, 1974, the Merseyside County Council was formally established, sharing power with the five metropolitan boroughs.

1974: Creation of the County of Merseyside in 1974

In 1974, the county of Merseyside was created from areas previously part of the administrative counties of Lancashire and Cheshire, along with several county boroughs.

1974: Establishment of Merseyside in 1974

In 1974, the county of Merseyside was established, incorporating areas that were previously part of Cheshire and Lancashire.

1985: Local Government Act 1985

In 1986 the county council, along with all other metropolitan county councils, was abolished under the Local Government Act of 1985.

1986: Abolishment of the county council in 1986

In 1986, the Merseyside County Council was abolished under the Local Government Act 1985, making the boroughs effectively unitary authorities.

2009: 684,000 passengers used Mersey Ferry in 2009-2010

In 2009-2010, the Mersey Ferry had 684,000 passengers using the service.

2010: 684,000 passengers used Mersey Ferry in 2009-2010

In 2009-2010, the Mersey Ferry had 684,000 passengers using the service.

2016: Liverpool2 container terminal opened in 2016

In 2016, Liverpool2, a second container terminal at Seaforth, opened which can handle Post-Panamax vessels and doubled the port's capacity.

2017: Opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge in 2017

In 2017, the Mersey Gateway Bridge opened, designed to improve transport links between Widnes and Runcorn and other key locations in the vicinity.

2017: Steve Rotheram elected Mayor in 2017

Steve Rotheram was elected Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2017.

2020: Liverpool Airport had 5 million departures in 2020

Liverpool John Lennon Airport had 5 million departures in 2020.

2021: Liverpool Lime Street station used by 10.46 million passengers in 2021-22

In 2021-22, Liverpool Lime Street main line station was used by 10.46 million passengers.

2021: 10.75 million passengers in Liverpool Central in 2021-22

In 2021–22, Liverpool Central is the county's most-used station, with 10.75 million passengers.

2021: Steve Rotheram re-elected Mayor in 2021

Steve Rotheram was re-elected as the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region in 2021.

2022: Port of Liverpool is fourth busiest port in the UK in 2022

As of 2022, the Port of Liverpool handles over 33 million tonnes of freight cargo per year, making it the fourth busiest port in the United Kingdom.

2024: NHS Cheshire and Merseyside serve 2.7 million in 2024

As of 2024, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside serves a combined population of 2.7 million people, overseeing NHS and other care services within the Cheshire and Merseyside areas.