Passengers are being reminded for the last time by Network Rail about a major signalling upgrade which will see the closure of Liverpool Lime Street and Edge Hill stations this weekend.

The work, part of the Great North Rail Project, will take place on the 2nd and 3rd November and will see signal controls transferred from Edge Hill to the Rail Operating Centre in Manchester.

This work also forms part of a £340m investment in railway upgrades in the Liverpool City Region by the end of 2019.

Passengers can still get to and from central Liverpool using rail replacement buses or by using the Merseyrail network.

People are being advised to check with their train operator or www.networkrail.co.uk/LCR and plan ahead of the affected weekend.

What did the officials say?

Phil James, managing director of Network Rail’s North West route, said:

“I know there is never a good time to close the railway, but for work as complex as this major signalling upgrade unfortunately it is unavoidable. The Great North Rail Project work at Edge Hill follows on from the success transferring control of several signalling areas in the Liverpool City Region last year, as part of our Weaver Wavertree upgrades.

“We’ve worked closely with train operators to make sure passengers can get to where they need to be during Lime Street’s weekend closure. We’re urging people to check www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan their journeys this weekend.”

Councillor Liam Robinson, transport portfolio holder at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:

“Works like these are vital in making sure services are more reliable and keep our city region moving. We were very grateful for the patience shown by rail users during the Lime Street upgrade last year and we would advise them again to plan ahead and follow the advice given when making journeys over this weekend.

“Working together with our partners at Network Rail and the rail operators, we’re making sure that the city region remains very much open for business during this short closure.”

Jason Webb, director of customer information at the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“This vital work will increase reliability and capacity, improving people’s journeys to and from Liverpool. Network Rail and rail companies are working together to minimise disruption as the improvement work is carried out and we ask passengers to check before they travel.”

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