Merseyrail services will run every 45-minutes on 3,4,6 & 7 January due to strike action by RMT members of Network Rail
The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 02:00 on Tuesday 3 January to 01:59 on Thursday 5 January, and 02:00 on Friday 6 January to 01:59 on Sunday 8 January.
Strike Timetables
Whilst Merseyrail staff are not part of this industrial action, it will involve Network Rail staff who operate the signalling systems and provide maintenance support.
A 45-minute service, calling at all stations on selected lines, will run between 07:30 and 18:30 on January 3,4,6 & 7 to help passengers make essential journeys.
As is normally the case during industrial action, there will be no rail replacement buses in operation. Those needing to travel outside the hours of service are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.
However, on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January, rail replacement buses will run on the Kirkby line between Kirkby and Moorfields, due to planned engineering works relating to the opening of Headbolt Lane station in 2023.
A summary of services that will run on Tuesday 3 January, Wednesday 4 January, Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January as follows.
Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run every 45 minutes between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.
New Brighton line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
West Kirby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
Southport line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
Ormskirk line: On Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 January, trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. However, on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 January, two trains will run per 45 minutes, calling at all stations to support the increased number of passengers expected to travel on the line as a result of the Kirkby line being closed for engineering work.
Kirkby line: On Tuesday 3 January and Wednesday 4 January trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. On Friday 6 January and Saturday 7 January no service will run on the Kirkby line due to planned engineering work as part of the construction of the new Headbolt Lane station. Rail replacement buses will run every 30 minutes between 0700 and 1830 to Moorfields station. Timetables will be available on the Merseyrail website a few days in advance.
On Thursday 5 January, train services will begin at approximately 07:00 in the morning. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 07.00. Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.
To help customers get into the city centre, rail replacement buses will run as follows:
- West Kirby 06:00 calling at Birkenhead North 06:20 and Moorfields 06:50
- Southport 05:45 calling at Formby 06:15, Waterloo 03:35 and Moorfields 06:55
- Formby 06:00 calling at Waterloo 06:20 and Moorfields 06:40
- Ormskirk 06:00 calling at Maghull 06:20 and Moorfields 06:50
- Kirkby 06:00 calling at Fazakerley 06:10 and Moorfields 06:40
- New Brighton 05:45 calling at Birkenhead North 06:05 and Moorfields 06:35
- Moorfields 06:35 calling at Hamilton Square and Birkenhead North 07:00
- Chester & Ellesmere Port 06:00 calling at Bache 06:10 and Moorfields 06:50
- Hooton 06:00 calling at Rock Ferry 06:30 ad Moorfields 07:00
On Sunday 8 January a normal timetable will operate except from Hunts Cross and Kirkby lines due to planned engineering works. Click here for more information.
Passengers planning to travel on the Kirkby Line from the 9 January onwards will also notice some changes to timetables, as preparations continue for the new fleet of trains. Full details will be available on station posters and the Merseyrail website in due course.
If you have assisted travel bookings or require assisted travel between strike days please contact us here, or use the National Passenger Assist App.
Ticket Information
Passengers with advanced tickets for the strikes dates can use their ticket up to and including Tuesday 10 January.