Racegoers at this year's Grand National have been advised to use public transport where possible with a 10-minute train service being introduced during race week.
Merseytravel has advised racegoers to plan ahead, use public transport where possible and leave plenty of time to make sure they can to this year's event. The 2022 Aintree Festival will be the first to welcome spectators in two years and is set to one of the biggest and busiest so far.
Merseytravel is working closely with a number of local partners including rail and bus operators, Merseyside Police, Sefton Council and the Jockey Club to ensure racegoers' journeys are as safe as possible. Cllr Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has asked for people to be "kind, patient and respectful of each other and our transport staff".
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During the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the races there will be a 10-minute frequency service between the city centre and Aintree stations on the Merseyrail Northern Line. On the Thursday and Friday Merseyrail will run 10-minute services between approximately 10.30am to 1.50pm and 4.45pm to 8.25pm.
On Saturday the 10-minute service will run from approximately 10.30am to 1.50pm and 5.35pm to 9pm. There will also be timetable changes for other services to accommodate the increased number of services for racegoers.
Northern Rail are also planning to operate additional services, passengers should regularly check the Northern website for further details.
There will also be bus services running regularly between Queen Square bus station and Aintree. On Friday and Saturday Arriva and Stagecoach will be running shuttle bus services between Commutation Row in the city centre and Deltic Way in Aintree.
Cllr Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder for Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “We welcome the return of the Grand National to the city region which, for the first time since before the pandemic, will see racegoers once again heading to the course to enjoy the festival. This event always brings thousands of visitors to the Liverpool City Region, and we’re expecting it will be no different this year.
“Merseytravel and all of our partners will be working together to keep people moving during the three days of the event. We want everyone to enjoy themselves so it’s important that racegoers think ahead and plan their journeys to avoid any disappointment.
“And we also ask that people are kind, patient and respectful of each other and our transport staff who will be working so hard to get everybody to and from this year’s festival.”
