Train operator Merseyrail says it will offer extra services, and flip-flops, for the thousands of people attending the Aintree Grand National festival in early April. Tony McDonough reports

Thousands of racegoers attending the Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse in early April will benefit from extra Merseyrail services.

Merseyrail’s Aintree station is just yards from the entrance of Aintree Racecourse and is one of the most popular methods for people to get to and from the event, which this year runs for three days from Thursday, April 7, to Saturday, April 9.

On those three days Merseyrail will be operating a special timetable for trains to and from Aintree: On Thursday and Friday, April 7 and 8, a 10-minute service will run between Aintree and Liverpool Central/Moorfields stations at the following times:

• From approximately 10.30am to 1.50pm (before the races).
• From approximately 4.45pm to 8.25pm (after the races).

On Saturday 9 April, a 10-minute service will run between Aintree and Liverpool Central stations at the following times:

• From approximately 10:30am to 1.50pm (before the races).
• From approximately 5:35pm to 9pm (after the races).

During the three-day festival there will also be timetable changes to some other lines. The details are as follows:

• Trains from Ormskirk to Liverpool will depart up to two minutes earlier than usual.
• Trains from Southport to Liverpool will depart up to two minutes earlier than usual.
• Trains between Kirkby and Liverpool will terminate at Sandhills, where passengers can board connecting services to complete their journey. This will apply to all services between 11am to 2pm and 5pm to9pm across the three days.
• There are no changes to Wirral line timetables during the three days but passengers travelling to the festival from any Wirral line stations are advised to change onto a train for Aintree at Moorfields station.

A range of entertainment is planned to welcome those using the rail network to attend this landmark event in the city region’s calendar with “some surprises in store”. As always, Merseyrail staff will be there handing out their famous flip flops to anyone with sore feet after a long day at the races.

Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail, said: “Everyone at Merseyrail is incredibly excited to welcome back Grand National racegoers to our network after the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the 2021 festival took place behind closed doors.

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“This special timetable means we are able to get thousands of racegoers to and from the world’s biggest horse racing event safely and efficiently, as well as delivering a reliable service to commuters across the Liverpool city region.

“There will also be an increased number of staff on hand across the network to ensure that all passengers can reach their destination safely and crowds are managed effectively.”