Merseyrail to run reduced services during 24-hour national rail strike

Train operator, Merseyrail, will run a limited service next Wednesday, July 27, despite a planned 24-hour strike by Network Rail staff belonging to the RMT union.

The network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 07.00 on Wednesday, July 27, to 07.00 on Thursday, July 28.

Merseyrail will run an hourly service calling at selected stations on each line between 07:30 and 18:30 on July 27, to help passengers make essential journeys.

A summary of services that will operate on Wednesday, July 27 is as follows:

• Services will run hourly between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, only calling at Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry.
• New Brighton services will run hourly, only calling at New Brighton, Wallasey Grove Road, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• West Kirby services will run hourly, only calling at West Kirby, Meols, Moreton, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• Southport services will run hourly, only calling at Southport, Formby Blundellsands & Crosby, Waterloo, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
• Ormskirk services will run hourly, only calling at Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• Kirkby services will run hourly, only calling at Kirkby, Fazakerley, Rice Lane, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
• There will be no services on the Merseyrail network before 07.30 or after 18.30 on July 27.

Due to lack of availability, there are no rail replacement buses throughout the whole day on July 27, and passengers should seek alternative travel arrangements where necessary.

On Thursday, July 28, trains will be gradually reintroduced from 07.00, when the 24-hour strike ends.

There are no rail replacement buses before train services begin at 07.00, again due to lack of availability.

It is intended that a normal, full train service will resume from 07.30 across the Merseyrail network.

Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail, said: “I’m pleased that we have been able to work closely with Network Rail to ensure we can provide a service for the people of the Liverpool City Region during this period of national disruption.

“I would stress to those intending to travel on July 27, that services will be hourly, will only serve limited stations and are likely to be very busy.

“As ever, our team will work hard to get you to where you need to be, but please plan ahead, come prepared and allow more time for your journey.”