Merseyrail network set for disruption due to severe weather warning

The Met Office has issued a series of yellow and amber alerts for the region from midday on Friday 20 October, warning of very heavy rain and bringing the likelihood of some flooding and disruption.

The worst of the forecast weather is expected to cause significant disruption to the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines on the Merseyrail network.

Anyone planning to travel on the network is advised to check before travelling and to not make any unnecessary journeys.

Contingency work is being undertaken by Network Rail and Merseyrail, but it is likely that trains may be replaced by rail replacement buses from 11:00, on routes between Rock Ferry – Chester and Rock Ferry – Ellesmere Port. Roads may also be affected by the bad weather, and this could impact on the rail replacement bus service.

If the weather does improve the network will work hard to get services restored as soon as possible

The latest information will be available via the website, on the app or following Merseyrail on twitter @Merseyrail.

Neil Grabham, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:

“As a rail operator our first priority is the safety of our customers and staff. Given the weather warnings from the Met Office, we are taking steps to warn our customers in advance of likely disruption tomorrow.

“Our team and colleagues from Network Rail will be working overnight and throughout tomorrow to provide the best service possible, but the weather forecast tomorrow afternoon does look particularly poor.

“I’d urge our customers to check for the latest information before they travel by using official Merseyrail channels, such as our website, app and social media.”