Merseyrail confirmed it will be running a limited service this Saturday due to planned train strikes.
Merseyrail will run a limited train service on Saturday, October 1 due to a planned 24 hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. The whole Liverpool City Region rail network will be affected by the UK-wide national walk out as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will take action from 7am on Saturday.
Merseyrail employees are not involved in the industrial action but Network Rail's arrangements with contingency staff restricts the train operator's ability to run a full service. The strikes, which will also take place on October 8, have been rearranged after action was suspended earlier this month. The RMT suspended action on September 15 and 17 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Merseyrail will run an hourly service on most lines between 7.30am and 6.30pm. This is a summary of services operating on Saturday, October 1.
- 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 rail-replacement buses on the strike day. Passengers should make alternative travel arrangements where necessary. On Sunday, October 2 a normal service will be in operation from the start of the service.
However, due to planned engineering works there will be disruption on the Southport, West Kirkby and New Brighton lines. This will see rail replacement buses run between Hall Road station and Southport station, and between Birkenhead North and all stations to West Kirby and New Brighton.
Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said: “We continue to work closely with Network Rail to allow train services to operate on our Network during these further periods of National disruption. However, anyone planning to travel on October 1 needs to be aware that our trains are likely to be very busy.
"So, please plan your journey carefully, allow for extra travelling time and be patient with us. We will be working hard to ensure you get to where you need to be.”
Merseyrail is not expected to be affected by the Aslef strikes on October 5.
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