Temporary changes to Merseyrail Northern Line service in February, as a roll out of a new fleet of trains continues

Liverpool Central station will be closed to Northern line passengers and there will be no services on the Hunts Cross line for three days, as further preparations are made for the continued roll-out of the new fleet of Class 777 trains.

The works will see track alterations made to accommodate eight-car Merseyrail trains at the city centre station, which are due to operate as the roll out continues.

For the work to be completed quickly and safely, Liverpool Central station will close to Northern line services from 22:00 on Sunday 26 February until the end of service on Wednesday 1 March (four evenings, three days). 

A summary of services that are affected is as follows:

Hunts Cross line: The Liverpool Central station closure means the Hunts Cross line will not operate between those dates. A rail-replacement bus service will be in operation between Moorfields and Hunts Cross, calling at all stations on the Hunts Cross line.  

Southport and Ormskirk line: From 22:00 on Sunday 26 February until 20:00 on Wednesday 1 March, Southport and Ormskirk line services will operate every 20 minutes and start/terminate at Moorfields. After 20:00 services will operate every 30 minutes.

Kirkby line: From 22:00 on Sunday 26 February until 20:00 on Wednesday 1 March, Kirkby line services will operate every 20 minutes and start/terminate at Sandhills. After 20:00 services will operate every 30 minutes and start/terminate at Moorfields. 

From 20:00 on Wednesday 1 March Southport, Ormskirk and Kirkby services will start and terminate at Sandhills. A rail replacement bus service will run between Sandhills and Hunts Cross.

All routes will reopen as normal for the start of services on Thursday 2 March.

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 continued roll out 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 do not take the decision to close Liverpool Central station to the Northern line lightly, and only after all other options have been exhausted.

“The work will finish as planned on Wednesday night, and all services will be fully operational on Thursday 2 March.”

Passengers can find out detailed information about the planned disruption at https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/planned-disruption.aspxPassengers who require assistance getting between Liverpool Central and Moorfields should contact Customer Relations or speak to a member of staff at their nearest station.