Merseyrail is warning passengers of disruption to Kirby Line services during July and the first half of August.

Preparatory work for the new Merseyrail station at Headbolt Lane will mean changes to services from 1 July until 13 August.

The impact on services will be as follows:

Saturday 1 July – Sunday 9 July:

• No trains will run between Kirkby and Liverpool Central. Buses will replace trains, calling at all stations from Kirkby to Moorfields.
• Extra services will run between Aintree and Liverpool Central at peak times from Monday to Friday, to prevent Ormskirk line trains from becoming overcrowded.
• Passengers who normally use Rice Lane station should use Walton station instead.

Monday 10 July – Sunday 13 August:

• A limited train service will run every 45 minutes between Fazakerley and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.
• Rail replacement buses will run between Kirkby, Fazakerley and Aintree.
• An express rail replacement bus service will operate during peak hours, including early mornings, between Kirkby and Moorfields, calling at Fazakerley and Rice Lane only.
• All rail replacement bus times are available in the Merseyrail journey planner.

Monday 14 August:

• Merseyrail expects to return to its normal timetable from this date.

Passengers should use the Merseyrail journey planner before travelling, or speak with a member of staff at their nearest station.

Zoe Hands, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail, said: “We sincerely apologise to Kirkby line customers for the disruption this vital work will cause. We know this will impact passengers, and we only undertake such closures when there is no other option.

“We have worked hard to provide rail-replacement bus services and the option of trains at Fazakerley in order to mitigate the negative impact this period will have.

“However, I am confident that once this vital work is done the people of Kirkby will be delighted with their new station at Headbolt Lane.”