Merseyrail has today reminded its passengers that its Northern line services will be disrupted all day this Sunday (17 November) and early on Monday (18 November).

The Northern line is one of Merseyrail’s two commuter rail lines.

Starting a Hunts Cross in the south of the city, it crosses Liverpool via an underground section.

Then, to the north, it divides into branches, which terminate at Southport in Lancashire, and Headbolt Lane and Ormskirk in Merseyside.

New, publicly-owned Class 777 trains began running on the Northern line at the end of last year.

Network Rail will be carrying out work on the signalling on the line, which will require some sections of the line to close.

Merseyrail will provide a replacement bus service to enable passengers to complete their journeys.

However, trains will run between Ormskirk and Walton on the Ormskirk & Hunts Cross line, and between the new Headbolt Lane station and Rice Lane stations on the Headbolt Lane line.

Full details of the disruption are available from the Merseyrail website or on posters at stations.

Merseyrail is advising passengers to allow extra time for travelling on Sunday and Monday morning.

“These essential works by Network Rail are crucial in ensuring we can continue to operate a reliable and punctual railway. Whilst we work together to ensure as much maintenance as possible takes place at times where the railway is closed to customers, there are some occasions, such as this, where that simply isn’t possible”.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience during this period and recommend planning journeys in advance using our website and journey planner.”

Stephen Dodd, Chief Operating Officer, Merseyrail