Train operator Merseyrail announces temporary changes to Wirral Line timetable as it prepares to introduce its £500m Class 777 trains. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyrail is set to roll out its new Class 777 train fleet on the Wirral Line and has announced temporary timetable changes to accommodate driver training.

One of the units from the 52-strong fleet ran on the Liverpool to Hoylake line during the Open Golf Championship. That was a temporary move but the new trains are set to become a permanent fixture in Wirral.

Temporary timetable changes are being made to the West Kirby and New Brighton lines to assist with the phased roll out of the trains, purchased by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for £500m. 

From Monday 31 July, there will be minor changes to support driver training. These changes are as follows:

West Kirby line

• On Monday to Friday five trains from West Kirkby to Moorfields will be cancelled (0921, 1036, 1221, 1336 and 1451). Five trains from Moorfields to West Kirby will be cancelled (0951, 1106, 1251, 1406 and 1521). 
• On Saturday three trains from West Kirby will be cancelled (0851, 1006, 1121). Three trains from Moorfields to West Kirby will be cancelled (0921, 1036, 1151).
• There are no cancellations on Sundays.

New Brighton line

• On Monday to Friday seven trains from New Brighton to Moorfields will be cancelled (0923, 1023, 1123, 1238, 1338, 1438, 1538). Seven trains from Moorfields to New Brighton will be cancelled (0946, 1046, 1146, 1301, 1401, 1501 and 1601). 
• On Saturday, four trains from New Brighton to Moorfields will be cancelled (1238, 1338, 1438, 1538) and four trains from Moorfields to New Brighton will be cancelled (1301, 1401, 1501, 1601).
• There are no cancellations on Sundays.

Suzanne Grant, commercial director at Merseyrail, said: “Our driver training programme is moving across to the Wirral line as we head towards the next exciting phase of the roll out of the new trains. 

“This does require a small number of temporary cancellations on the West Kirby and New Brighton lines while this happens.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this will cause passengers and look forward to our Wirral line passengers experiencing the ground-breaking new trains as soon as possible.”

Earlier this month battery-powered versions of the new trains were undergoing their final testing on the network. They will start serving the new £80m Headbolt Lane station at Kirkby this year.