Next Saturday, 1st October, the RMT union has called its members out on a 24-hour strike, but Merseyrail has announced that it plans to run a limited train service.

Although Merseyrail staff are not involved in the industrial action, the Merseyrail network will be affected because Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees are taking part in the industrial action from 07.00 on Saturday, 1st October to 07.00 on Sunday, 2nd October.

Network Rail’s arrangements with contingency staff will restrict Merseyrail’s ability to operate a full train service, but on selected lines Merseyrail will run an hourly service calling at all stations between 07.30 and 18.30.

The following services will operate 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 are no rail-replacement buses on the strike day. Passengers should make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.

On Saturday, October 1:

• There will be no trains on the Merseyrail network before approximately 07.30 or after approximately 18.30.

On Sunday, October 2

• A normal service will be in operation from the start of service.
• Due to planned engineering works, there will be disruption on the Southport, West Kirby, and New Brighton lines.
• Rail replacement buses will operate between Hall Road and Southport stations, and between Birkenhead North and all stations to West Kirby and New Brighton.

Full timetables are available via Merseyrail’s website at https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/network-rail-strike-action.aspx

Many other train operators will be affected by the strike and will not be running services on 1st October. Customers wishing to travel on that day should check relevant websites.

Further industrial action has been announced for some train operating companies on Wednesday, 5th October, but Merseyrail services are not expected to be affected. Further strikes have been announced for Saturday, 8th October, and service arrangements for that day will be made available in due course.

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.”