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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Merseyrail cancel trains ahead of Met Office snow warning

Merseyrail have cancelled a number of trains ahead of a yellow Met Office weather warning for snow.

The travel provider announced on Thursday, March 9, it would be bringing in its cold weather mitigation plans on Friday morning. The plans will see the first trains on a number of lines being run without passengers.

It comes after the Met Office put a yellow snow warning in place Friday, March 10. Several weather warnings are in place across the UK, with yellow snow warnings in Liverpool today, on Thursday, March 9 and tomorrow on Friday, March 10.

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Forecasters have put the warnings in place as they predict "heavy snow" is likely to cause "significant disruption."

An update on the travel providers website said: "As temperatures drop snow may accumulate on the powered third rail, preventing trains from making electrical contact. To ensure the track is not blocked the very first trains on each line will run without passengers.

"Mitigation plans will be in place overnight and in the morning as Merseyrail will take steps to protect commuter services where possible. Tracks on the 75-mile Merseyrail network will be treated overnight to protect them from snow build-up, while station staff will ensure that platforms and car parks are well gritted, so they are safe for passengers.

"We hope to be able to run a full service following these cancellations, however some disruption is still possible. We strongly advise anyone planning to travel tomorrow or over the weekend to check the Merseyrail website, app or social media channels before starting their journey."

Greg Suligowski, Head of Customer Service at Merseyrail, said: “The Met Office weather warning for snow across the region, means that we need to take immediate preventative measures to ensure that we can start services at the earliest time possible tomorrow.

“Our teams will be working closely with colleagues from Network Rail both overnight and in the morning to get passenger services moving. However, further disruption beyond the cancellations announced is possible.

“We apologise for the disruption this will cause and would recommend anyone planning to travel tomorrow or over the weekend checks our social media channels, app or website for the latest advice before starting their journey.”

The following trains will be cancelled or changed

Southport line

5:37am (Southport – Hunts Cross) starts at Sandhills at 6.21am

5.59am (Sandhills – Southport) is cancelled

Ormskirk line

5.49am (Ormskirk – Liverpool Central) will start from Sandhills at 6.16am

Kirkby line

5.43am (Kirkby – Liverpool Central) will start from Sandhills at 5.55am

Hunts Cross line

6.01am (Hunts Cross – Southport) will start at Liverpool Central at 6.24am

West Kirby line

5.51am to Liverpool Central is cancelled

6.25am to West Kirby from Liverpool Central is cancelled

New Brighton line

5.53am to Liverpool Central is cancelled

6.20am to New Brighton from Liverpool Central is cancelled

Chester line

5.39am (Hooton – Liverpool Central) will start from Birkenhead Central at 5.59am

5.55am (Chester – Liverpool Central) will start from Hooton at 6.09am

Ellesmere Port line

6.17am (Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Central) will start from Hooton at 6.26am.

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