Services on the Merseyrail Kirkby line will be partially reinstated in the next few days after being limited due to work around the new Headbolt Lane station. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyrail is to partially reinstate services on the Kirkby line from Monday, August 14.
At the beginning of July Merseyrail suspended services for nine days on the line to enable engineering work to begin around the new Headbolt Lane station. Since July 9 the rail operator has been operating a 45-minute frequency.
From next Monday trains between Kirkby and Liverpool Central will start running every 30 minutes. At the same time there will be driver training ahead of the opening of the new station.
Work on Headbolt Lane in Kirkby began in March 2022. Plans for the station were first proposed in 1972. Once open it will offer better access to the Merseyrail network for people living in the Tower Hill and Northwood areas of Kirkby.
From Monday to Saturday, the first train will depart Kirkby for Liverpool Central at 5.41am. Trains will then depart at 11 and 41 minutes past each hour until 11.11pm, after which the final service will run at 11.31pm.
The first train from Liverpool Central to Kirkby will depart at 6.05am. Trains will then depart at 35 and 5 minutes past each hour until 11.35pm, after which the final service will run at 11.55pm.
On Sundays the first train from Kirkby to Liverpool Central will be at 8.11am, followed by 8.41am. Trains will then depart at 11 and 41 minutes past each hour until 11.11pm. A final service will run at 11.31pm.
The first train from Liverpool Central to Kirkby on Sundays will be at 8.05am. Trains will then depart at 35 and 5 minutes past each hour until 11.35pm, after which the final service will run at 11.55pm.
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Merseyrail’s aim is to complete the further driver training to achieve full resumption of services as soon as possible. The current expectation being that the half-hourly timetable arrangement will be in place for around three weeks.
Stephen Dodd, chief operating officer at Merseyrail, said: “We’re pleased that this phase of the works has now been completed. We are now able to begin the reintroduction of trains to Kirkby station, with a 30-minute service throughout the day.
“We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding during this period. We apologise for the disruption caused while work was carried out for the new Headbolt Lane station.”