Strike action by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union causes change to planned Merseyrail services over Christmas, including Boxing Day. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyrail is being forced to cancel planned services on Boxing Day due to industrial action by Network rail staff.

It had planned to run a 30-minute service across the network on December 26. But a strike action by Network Rail employees who are members of the RMT union means this will no longer be possible.

This also means that the last trains on Christmas Eve will now finish earlier than originally planned. Final services will run at approximately 4.30pm on December 24. 

These changes to the planned service will remain in place even if the industrial action is called off. This is because railway rostering arrangements mean that it will be impossible to reinstate services at short notice.

As is normally the case during industrial action, there will be no rail replacement buses in operation. Those needing to travel after 4.30pm on December 24, or at any point on December 26, are advised to make alternative travel arrangements. 

As previously announced, there will be no train services on Christmas Day. 

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There will be a normal weekday service on Tuesday, December 27, with trains starting when the industrial action ends, at approximately 7.30am. A limited rail replacement bus service will be in operation from the busiest stations before this time. 

As is usually the case on New Year’s Eve, services will finish at approximately 8pm and on New Year’s Day a 30-minute Sunday service will run. Passengers are advised to visit the Merseyrail website for full details or speak to a member of station staff.

Further industrial action is planned for January 3 and 4 and 6 and 7. Details on what services Merseyrail will be providing on these dates will be published as soon as they are available.