A number of disappointed commuters arrived at Southport Train Station this morning to see the news that all trains from the station had been cancelled as RMT union members from Northern Rail and 13 other train firms took part in industrial action.
The whole country has been affected, including Merseyside, as Merseyrail suspended all services today and will be continuing the cancellations on Thursday and Saturday. While Merseyrail isn't taking part in the industrial action, it involved Network Rail staff who operate the signalling systems and provide crucial maintenance which allows services to run safely.
The ECHO spoke to a number of people who were affected by the rail strike this morning, one of whom was Tino Belo. The 35-year-old was hoping to get the train to Liverpool this morning for an appointment about his resident status in the UK, he was forced to get a taxi to the city when he realised he wasn't able to get the train for his 11am appointment.
READ MORE: Liverpool sends important message to rail workers as strike action begins
He said: "I'm going to Liverpool for the day, I have an appointment about my resident status in the UK and they need to do my fingerprints. I'm going to have to get a taxi to make the 11am appointment. I'm not happy but I have to accept it."
Another heartbroken traveller who need to get to Liverpool for an appointment was Liam Hartill. The 27-year-old told the ECHO about how he has recently become a dad and needed to get to the city centre to sign paperwork that would allow him to get onto a government-funded course. He said: "I've got to get to the Adelphi hotel to sign the paperwork for a government-funded forklift course.
"I've got a child and I'm on Universal Credit, the course is starting on Monday and I need to get there to sign up otherwise I won't be starting. It's not until 11am so I should be able to still make it but it's not ideal."
Another person affected but not travelling is a local taxi driver. Dale told the ECHO about how he "may as well write the week off" with people not getting the train from the train station.
He said: "Normally there are two or three cars at all times at this rank but I think everyone is going to be working from home this week. We still have to pay the money to be here for the week, it's an annual fee of £1,000 to be able to park here and they're not going to come out and give us the money back for the week.
"We may as well write the week off because it's going to be dead with the strike and reduced services tomorrow and Friday."
Merseyrail said while trains will run on the days between the strikes next week, there will be knock-on impacts going into the post-strike days. Replacement buses will be used for the first morning services on Wednesday and Friday, with normal trains running again from 7am.
