Next Saturday, 8th October, because of a planned 24-hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union, Merseyrail will only be able to operate a limited train service.

In common with other parts of the railway network, Merseyrail will be affected as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 07:00 on Saturday, October 8 to 07:00 on Sunday October 9.

Although Merseyrail employees are not involved in the industrial action, the company will be unable to run a full train service because of Network Rail’s arrangements with contingency staff.

On selected lines, an hourly service calling at all stations will operate on Saturday, 8th October between 07:30 and 18:30 only. There will be no trains on before approximately 07:30 or after approximately 18:30. There will be no rail-replacement buses and passengers should make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.

Because many other train companies are not running services next Saturday, customers hoping to travel onwards with other train operators should check the operators’ websites,

The following is a summary of services that will operate next weekend:

Saturday, 8th October:

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines

• There will be no trains between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry.
• Between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, trains will run hourly 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.

Sunday, 9th October:

• Normal services will operate from the start of service.
• Southport line services will be disrupted due to track renewal work and essential bridge maintenance. Rail replacement buses will run between Hall Road station and Southport station. Trains will run to the normal Sunday timetable between Hall Road station and Liverpool city centre stations.

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

Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said: “ As has been the case  with previous days of strike action, Merseyrail continues to plan ahead and ensure train services remain in operation on our network during periods of national disruption.

“We would remind passengers that travelling on October 8 will require journeys to be planned and that trains are likely to be very busy. We would ask that passengers allow for extra travelling time and be patient with us as we work hard to ensure we get everyone to where they need to be.”