Merseyrail train services between Formby and Southport will be suspended for ten days at the beginning of October whilst Network Rail carries out track improvement work at Southport.

Services will be suspended between Formby and Southport from Saturday, 5th October until Monday, 14th October to enable Network Rail to make improvements so that the line can accommodate Merseytravel’s new eight-car trains.

During the work, engineers will remove the existing track and ballast and replace them with brand-new track and equipment that will improve the safety and reliability of trains on the line.

The closure will affect all Merseyrail services on the Southport line, but a service of rail-replacement buses will be in operation between Formby and Southport.

Because of the use of rail-replacement buses, passengers should check before they travel as journey times will be longer.

Real-time updates and journey planning details will be posted on both the Merseyrail and the National Rail websites.

Train services between Formby and Liverpool Central will continue as normal, and a normal timetable will resume on Tuesday, 15th October.

Northern services will not be affected by the work, and its services will continue running as normal.

In March this year, Merseyrail celebrated 120 years since its line to Southport carried the world’s first inter-urban electric passenger train service.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work. I’m sorry for the disruption this essential project will cause. The work is crucial to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the Southport line.”

Laura Greenwood, Network Rail’s scheme project manager