During the three upcoming 24-hour strikes by Network Rail employees who are members of the RMT union, Merseyrail plans to run a limited train service.

The strikes will affect all of the UK as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees take their industrial action from 02.00 on Saturday, 5th to 01.59 on Sunday, 6th November, from 02.00 on Monday, 7th to 01.59 on Tuesday, 8th November, and from 02.00 on Wednesday, 9th to 01.59 on Thursday, 10th November.

However, a number of Network Rail signalling and maintenance staff are not taking part in the strikes and will be available, Merseyrail will therefore be able to run a limited number of trains. It will run an hourly service on selected lines calling at all stations, but only between 07.30 and 18.30. There will be no rail-replacement buses and anyone wishing to travel outside those hours should make alternative travel arrangements.

Many other train operators will not be running services on the strike days of 5/7/9 November, and Merseyrail customers who hope to connect with other services after travelling on the Merseyrail network on those days should check with those operators that their onward services are running. Full timetables for Merseyrail services on the strike days available at www.merseyrail.org/strike

Major engineering works that were due to take place at Liverpool Central station from Sunday, 6th to Wednesday, 9th November have been cancelled.

Service changes on strike days are as follows.

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines:

• between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, trains will run hourly calling at all stations.
• between Chester and Rock Ferry, and Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry, no trains will operate

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.

On Sunday 6 November a normal timetable will operate.

On Tuesday 8 November and Thursday 10 November, services will begin at 07.30

Customers hoping to use the Merseyrail network to connect to onward journeys should check with the operators that they intend to travel with, as many train companies are not running services on 5 November, 7 November, or 9 November.

Jane English, Acting Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “Despite Merseyrail staff not being involved, unfortunately, the national industrial action does have an impact on our network. We continue to work closely with Network Rail and our other partners to ensure that we can minimise disruption to our passengers.

“We would remind passengers that are travelling on 5 November, 7 November, or 9 November to plan their journeys in advance 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.”