Early morning trains have been cancelled across the Merseyrail network this morning.
The first services on all lines, including Southport, Ormskirk, Kirkby, Hunts Cross, West Kirby, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port and Chester, have been cancelled on Friday, January 20. Merseyrail say that the cancellations are to check that the tracks are safe after a "week of cold weather."
The full extent of the disruption is not yet known, but a spokesperson for the rail line say that cancellations and delays can be expected up until 10am.
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Merseyrail advised passengers to "check before travelling" today due to the disruption. A message on the Merseyrail website reads: "Following a week of cold weather which has caused disruption to early morning services.
"First services on Friday 20th January will be cancelled, and further train cancellations may continue until 10:00am on Friday morning. Merseyrail will be working with Network Rail to reinstate services as soon as Network Rail have made the tracks safe."
The cancellations come after a week of chaos on the rail network, as cold weather caused severe disruptions. Merseyrail acting managing director Jane English told the ECHO that they are aware the service has been "unacceptable."
She added: "Friday morning may see more disruption, but we will be pushing hard to make sure our partners at Network Rail protect our infrastructure during this cold weather. Please check our website, app or social media to get the latest information about when services will start. We are hoping to get early services started as normal, but we are prepared for delays if the track is not in an acceptable state for passenger trains."
All of this has happened in the lead up to the first run of the new Merseyrail trains which are set to welcome passengers on Monday, January 23. The new Class 777 trains are due to replace the existing Merseyrail fleet of 507 trains, with a deal to purchase the new vehicles signed back in 2016.
But the roll-out of the new models has been held up by a number of factors including the pandemic and industrial disputes. The first of the new trains will operate on the Kirkby line and are expected to start running as soon as Monday.
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