Merseyrail to see temporary changes due to preparation work for the launch of its new trains.

Passengers using the Merseyrail Network are being advised to plan their travel ahead due to the temporary changes

The temporary changes are necessary in order to prepare for Merseyrail's new trains and will see essential work carried out over a four-day period in November.

The work will see Liverpool Central station closed for Northern line passengers as well as no services operating on the Hunts Cross line. The closure is required in order to safely and quickly make changes to tracks and line side equipment so the new train's eight-car formation can serve the station. 

Sunday the 6th of November will see Liverpool Central station close to Northern line services from 22.00pm with the closure remaining in place until the end of service on Wednesday the 9th of November. 

Below is a summary of services which will be affected by the temporary closure:

Hunts Cross line:

• The Hunts Cross line will not operate from 22:00pm on Sunday the 6th of November and will remain closed until the end of service on Wednesday the 9th of November.
• A rail-replacement bus service will be operating between Moorfields station and Hunts Cross station.
• The rail-replacement bus service will not call at Liverpool Central station.

Southport and Ormskirk line:

• From 22:00pm on Sunday the 6th of November until 20:00pm on Wednesday the 9th of November, Southport and Ormskirk line services will operate every 20 minutes and will start and terminate at Moorfields station.
• Services will operate every 30 minutes after 20:00pm.

Kirkby line:

• From 22:00pm on Sunday the 6th of November until 20:00pm on Wednesday the 9th of November, Kirkby line services will operate every 20 minutes and start and terminate at Sandhills station.
• After 20:00pm services will operate every 30 minutes and will start and terminate at Moorfields station.
• From 20:00pm on Wednesday, the 9th of November, Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby line services will start and terminate at Sandhills station.
• A rail replacement bus service will operate between Sandhills and Hunts Cross stations.
• The rail replacement bus service will not call at Liverpool Central station.

Thursday the 10th of November will see all services return to normal.

The Wirral line will not be affected by the temporary closure.

Zoe Hands, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail said: “These planned works are a vital part of the modernisation of the Merseyrail network and will enable the introduction of the new Class 777 trains.

“We would like to apologise to our passengers for the disruption that is being caused and thank them for their patience while this essential work is being carried out.

“You can be assured that we did not take the decision to close Liverpool Central station to Northern line services lightly.

“The work is expected to finish as planned on Wednesday night, and all services will be fully operational on Thursday, November 10.”

For further and more detailed information regarding the planned temporary closure please visit: https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/planned-disruption.aspx