Merseyrail will be running a limited train service on Wednesday 27 July, despite a planned 24-hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.
The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 07.00 on Wednesday 27 July to 07.00 on Thursday 28 July.
Merseyrail will run an hourly service calling at selected stations on each line between 07:30 and 18:30 on 27 July to help passengers make essential journeys.
A summary of services that will operate on Wednesday 27 July is as follows.
- Services will run hourly between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, only calling at Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry .
- New Brighton services will run hourly, only calling at New Brighton, Wallasey Grove Road, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- West Kirby services will run hourly, only calling at West Kirby, Meols, Moreton, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- Southport services will run hourly, only calling at Southport, Formby Blundellsands & Crosby, Waterloo, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
- Ormskirk services will run hourly, only calling at Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- Kirkby services will run hourly, only calling at Kirkby, Fazakerley, Rice Lane, Kirkdale, Moorfields and Liverpool Central.
- There will be no services on the Merseyrail network before 07.30 or after 18.30 on 27 July.
Due to lack of availability, there are no rail replacement buses throughout the whole day on 27 July and passengers should seek alternative travel arrangements where necessary.
On Thursday 28 July, trains will be gradually reintroduced from 07.00, when the 24-hour strike ends.
There are no rail replacement buses before train services begin at 07.00, again due to lack of availability.
It is intended that a normal, full train service will resume from 07.30 across the Merseyrail network. Full timetables are available via the operators website at https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your- journey/network-rail-strike-action.aspx 
Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said, “I’m pleased that we have been able to work closely with Network Rail to ensure we can provide a service for the people of the Liverpool City Region during this period of national disruption.
“I would stress to those intending to travel on July 27, that services will be hourly, will only serve limited stations and are likely to be very busy. “As ever, our team will work hard to get you to where you need to be, but please plan ahead, come prepared and allow more time for your journey.”
Image: Merseyrail
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter