Merseyrail will run a limited train service on Saturday 5 November, Monday 7 November, and Wednesday 9 November due to three planned 24-hour strikes by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.
The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 02:00 on Saturday 5 November to 01:59 on Sunday 6 November, from 02:00 on Monday 7 November to 01:59 on Tuesday 8 November, and from 02:00 on Wednesday 9 November to 01:59 on Thursday 10 November.
As has been the case during previous strike days, Merseyrail are limited in the number of trains that they can run by the number of Network Rail signalling and maintenance staff that are available. As a result, the operator will run an hourly service calling at all stations on selected lines between 07:30 and 18:30 to help passengers make essential journeys.
There are no rail-replacement buses on strike days and those wishing to travel outside of these hours are advised to make alternative travel arrangements where required.
The previously announced closure of Liverpool Central station from Sunday 6 November to Wednesday 9 November for major engineering works, will now not take place.
A summary of services that will operate on Saturday 5 November, Monday 7 November and Wednesday 9 November is as follows.
Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry.Trains will run hourly between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.
New Brighton line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
West Kirby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
Southport line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
Ormskirk line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
Kirkby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
On Tuesday 8 November and Thursday 10 November, train services will begin at 07:30 in the morning. There will be no rail replacement buses for the affected services before 07:30.
On Sunday 6 November a normal timetable will operate.
Jane English, Acting Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:
“Despite Merseyrail staff not being involved, unfortunately the national industrial action does have an impact on our network. We continue to work closely with Network Rail and our other partners to ensure that we can minimise disruption to our passengers.
“We would remind passengers that are travelling on 5 November, 7 November, or 9 November to plan their journeys in advance and that trains are likely to be very busy. We would ask that passengers allow for extra travelling time and be patient with us as we work hard to ensure we get everyone to where they need to be.”
Those that normally require assistance to travel are advised to speak to a member of station staff or contact Merseyrail’s customer service team via the operator’s website prior to making their journey.
Customers hoping to use the Merseyrail network to connect to onward journeys should check with the operators that they intend to travel with, as many train companies are not running services on 5 November, 7 November, or 9 November.
Full timetables are available via the operator’s website at www.merseyrail.org/strike
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