Merseyrail announce temporary timetable changes as preparations continue for launch of new trains

Passengers are advised to plan ahead for temporary changes on the Merseyrail network, as preparations continue for the launch of the new fleet of trains.

Liverpool Central station will be closed to Northern line passengers and there will be no services on the Hunts Cross line for four days in November, to allow for these essential works to take place. 

The works will see adjustments made to tracks and line side equipment to ensure new trains in an eight-car formation will be able to serve the station.

For the work to be completed quickly and safely, Liverpool Central station will close to Northern line services from 22:00 on Sunday 6 November until the end of service on Wednesday 9 November. 

A summary of services that are affected is as follows:

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

Southport and Ormskirk line: From 22:00 on Sunday 6 November until 20:00 on Wednesday 9 November, Southport and Ormskirk line services will operate every 20 minutes and start/terminate at Moorfields station. After 20:00 services will operate every 30 minutes.

Kirkby line: From 22:00 on Sunday 6 November until 20:00 on Wednesday 9 November, Kirkby line services will operate every 20 minutes and start/terminate at Sandhills station. After 20:00 services will operate every 30 minutes starting and terminating at Moorfields station.

From 20:00 on Wednesday 9 November Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby line services will start/terminate at Sandhills station. A rail replacement bus service will run between Sandhills and Hunts Cross stations. The bus service will not call at Liverpool Central station.

All routes will reopen as normal for the start of services on Thursday 10 November.

Wirral line services will not be affected.

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.”

Passengers who require assistance getting between Liverpool Central and Moorfields should contact Customer Relations via here or speak to a member of staff at any Merseyrail ticket office.

Passengers can find out detailed information about the planned disruption on the Merseyrail website here.