Over the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd, Merseyrail passengers on the Northern line should prepare for significant changes to their usual travel plans due to planned engineering works by Network Rail.

These essential maintenance tasks, concentrated between Moorfields and Hall Road, necessitate a temporary suspension of train services on parts of the network, affecting lines to Southport, Hunts Cross, Ormskirk, and Headbolt Lane.

To mitigate the impact on travellers, Merseyrail has announced comprehensive rail replacement bus services that will cover the affected routes, ensuring continued connectivity for its customers. This disruption will not affect Wirral line services, which will operate as usual.

Service Adjustments for Saturday, March 2:

For the Southport and Hunts Cross Lines:

• Trains will maintain service between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central, as well as between Hall Road and Southport.
• Rail replacement buses will facilitate travel between Brunswick and Hall Road, bypassing Moorfields and stopping at all intermediate stations except Liverpool Central. Additionally, an express bus service will connect Liverpool South Parkway and Hall Road, stopping at Moorfields only. This service is scheduled to run from 07:00 to 19:00.
• Passengers traveling from Hunts Cross to Southport should note that a change at Brunswick is necessary to catch the rail replacement buses to Hall Road, where they can then transfer to a train bound for Southport.

Ormskirk Line Adjustments:

• Train services will run as usual between Walton and Ormskirk.
• Replacement buses will be available between Moorfields and Aintree, calling at all stations along the route.

Changes to the Headbolt Lane Line:

• Trains will operate between Rice Lane and Headbolt Lane.
• For those needing to travel beyond these points, rail replacement buses will run from Moorfields to Headbolt Lane, stopping at all stations en route.

Service Adjustments for Sunday, March 3:

Southport and Hunts Cross Lines:

• Train operations will be maintained between Hunts Cross and Liverpool Central, as well as between Hall Road and Southport.
• To bridge the gaps caused by the maintenance work, rail replacement buses will operate between Brunswick and Hall Road, passing through Moorfields and serving all stations except Liverpool Central.

Ormskirk Line Modifications:

• Trains will continue to run between Walton and Ormskirk, ensuring no disruption on this section of the network.
• For areas affected by the maintenance, rail replacement buses will be available between Moorfields and Aintree, calling at all stops along the way.

Changes to the Headbolt Lane Line:

• Service between Rice Lane and Headbolt Lane will proceed as scheduled, with trains running on this segment.
• Additionally, rail replacement buses will cover the journey from Moorfields to Aintree. Passengers for the Headbolt Lane line are advised to change at Rice Lane to access these bus services.

Merseyrail urges all passengers to plan their journeys in advance by consulting the Merseyrail website for the latest travel information and updates.

Normal service is expected to resume on Monday, March 4, providing relief to travellers after a weekend of disruption.

Merseyrail Chief Commercial Officer & Deputy Managing Director, Suzanne Grant, said: “We apologise to customers for the disruption caused during this period of planned engineering work.

“We work hard with Network Rail to try and avoid scheduling engineering work when it will affect customers. Unfortunately, at times when vital maintenance must be carried out it is impossible to avoid some disruption.

“I’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out.”