Merseyrail is to increase train services between Liverpool Central and Hoylake during The Open golf tournament between Sunday 16 and Sunday 23 July.

The tournament expects more than a quarter of a million spectators to attend.

Merseyrail will run a train every ten minutes between Hoylake and Liverpool Central line during morning and late afternoon peak times from Wednesday 19 July until Sunday 23 July, aiming to maximise capacity and minimise waiting time for passengers.

No trains will run between West Kirby and Hoylake from around 1900 on Wednesday 12 July until Tuesday 25 July, as walkways placed over the tracks at Hoylake station enable golfers to access practice grounds and the course.

Walkways over the tracks will provide level allow spectators to exit the station safely. These arrangements were in place the last time the Royal Liverpool course hosted The Open, when they worked successfully. Buses will replace trains West Kirby and Hoylake throughout this period.

In order to facilitate the special timetable, the following changes will apply:

• Manor Road station will close mid-afternoon each day from Wednesday 19 July until Sunday 23 July
• A reduced timetable will operate on the New Brighton and Ellesmere Port lines.
• From Wednesday 19 July to Saturday 22 July, a twenty-minute service will operate between New Brighton and Liverpool Central, and a thirty-minute service will operate between Ellesmere Port and Hooton.
• On Sunday 23 July there will be no New Brighton services, with buses replacing trains. A thirty-minute service will be in operation between Ellesmere Port and Hooton.

Merseyrail is urging passengers to check before travelling by using the journey planner on its website, and to leave more time for their journey as there may be queues.

The full details of services for the period can be viewed on this page on the Merseyrail website.

Jane English, Acting Managing Director of Merseyrail, said: “Once again the city region is hosting a huge international event with thousands of people coming to the area to enjoy themselves.

“Merseyrail will ensure that we provide the best possible service for fans travelling to and from Royal Liverpool Golf Club, as well considering the need of our regular users.

“Station staff will be on hand to help and advise passengers, provide information and support people getting to where they need to be.

“We have worked hard to ensure that we have a robust plan in place to support the huge numbers of people who will rely on the Merseyrail network during this week. However, this has meant that some parts of the Wirral line will see a reduction in the usual level of their services.

“We would like to apologise to passengers who are adversely affected during this period.

“We would urge everyone travelling on the Merseyrail network during the week of The Open, to check before travelling and to use the journey planner at merseyrail.org”