Liverpool city region rail operator Merseyrail to run limited services during two strikes by the RMT union in mid-December – full details here. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyrail says it will run a “limited service” during two national rail strikes in mid-December.

Although no Merseyrail staff will take part in the walkouts organised by the RMT union, it will include Network Rail staff who help oversee signalling and maintenance on the Merseyrail network.

Signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 2am on Tuesday, December 13, to 1.59am on Thursday, December 15. There will be another walkout starting at 2am on Friday, December 16, to 1.59am on Sunday, December 18.

Merseyrail will run a 45-minute service calling at all stations on selected lines between 7:30am and 6.30pm to help passengers make essential journeys.

There are no rail-replacement buses on strike days and those wishing to travel outside of these hours are advised to make alternative travel arrangements where required.

A summary of services that will operate is as follows. 

• Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run every 45 minutes between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.
• New Brighton line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
• West Kirby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. 
• Southport line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations. 
• Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
• Ormskirk line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.
• Kirkby line: Trains will run every 45 minutes, calling at all stations.

On Thursday, December 15, train services will begin at approximately 7am in the morning.

A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations prior to 7am.

Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.  On Sunday 18 December a normal timetable will operate.

Jane English, acting managing director at Merseyrail, said: “We would like to apologise for the disruption caused to our passengers as a result of the action being taken by Network Rail signallers and maintenance staff. 

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“We have worked closely with Network Rail to provide an improved industrial action timetable, with a train serving most stations on the network every 45 minutes to help passengers make essential journeys.

Passengers who normally require assistance to travel are advised to speak to a member of station staff or contact Merseyrail’s customer service team via the operator’s website prior to making their journey.

Full timetables are available via the operator’s website by clicking here.