Merseyrail confirmed it will be running a limited service on Saturday due to a planned 24-hour strike.
Merseyrail will run a limited train service on Saturday, October 8 due to a planned strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers. The Liverpool City Region rail network will be affected by the national walk out as signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 7am.
Merseyrail employees are not involved in the industrial action but Network Rail's arrangements with contingency staff restrict Merseyrail's ability to run a full service. The local train line will run an hourly service on most lines between 7.30am and 6.30pm to help passengers make essential journeys.
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Here is a summary of services that will operate on Saturday, October 8.
- 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.
There will be no trains on the Merseyrail network before approximately 7.30am or after 6.30pm on Saturday. There are no rail-replacement buses on the strike day. Passengers should make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.
A normal service will be in operation from the start of service on Sunday, October 9. But the Southport line services will be disrupted due to track renewal work and essential bridge maintenance.
Rail replacement buses will run between Hall Road station and Southport station. Trains will run between Hall Road station and Liverpool city centre stations in line with the normal Sunday timetable.
Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said: “As has been the case with previous days of strike action, Merseyrail continues to plan ahead and ensure train services remain in operation on our network during periods of national disruption.
“We would remind passengers that travelling on October 8 will require journeys to be planned 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.”
Customers hoping to travel onwards on other train operators should check relevant websites, as many train companies are not running services on October 8.
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