Details of the transport options that will keep the Liverpool City Region moving during six months of work on Merseyrail’s Wirral line– including six weeks of full cross-river closure from 3rd January.




Travellers are being encouraged to plan ahead, with businesses and organisations advised to think about what they may need to put in place to support staff and customers.

The key advice for Merseyrail users is to leave their cars at home and stick to express rail replacement services, or other public transport, to keep the Mersey Tunnels and surrounding routes moving.

Network Rail will be replacing the most challenging sections of concrete based track in the ‘loop’ – originally laid in the 1970s, while making the most of the opportunity to carry out other work, including replacing conventional track under the riverbed.

Network Rail, Merseyrail and Merseytravel, have been working over many months, with local authorities, operators and other partners, to come up with a plan that balances the need to get essential and complex work done with the need to keep people moving and the city region ‘open for business’.

The work, which will also support a new Merseyrail fleet on the network from the early 2020s, is part of a £340m investment in the Liverpool City Region (LCR)’s rail network over the next three years (see notes to editors)

Details on the transport offer are available at www.merseyrail.org/trackrenewal with booklets soon to be available from rail stations.

Rail replacement buses: High quality ‘express’ buses ready to ‘load and go’ at peak times will run directly from Birkenhead Central and Birkenhead North to Moorfields and St George’s Hall, with return buses at least every 15 minutes. There will be additional services to ensure people can still catch early morning mainline trains, and late on in the evening. People who would normally make use of loop services (trains between James St, Moorfields, Lime St and Central) can use their rail tickets on the 10A bus to travel arounds the ‘loop’.
Buses: There are 14 existing cross-river bus services that run between Wirral/Chester and Liverpool. Services will be strengthened to accommodate existing and new customers.
Mersey Ferries: Offer a frequent cross-river service between Seacombe and Pier Head in peak times, with three services an hour, a journey time of 10 mins each way and free parking for 370 cars at Seacombe. Merseyrail tickets/passes will be able to be used throughout the disruption. Ferries will be an option for cyclists as they can’t be carried on rail replacement buses.
Special arrangements will be in place for those with disabilities with staff on hand to help. There is more information online here.
Much work is being undertaken to encourage people to play their part in keeping the transport network moving. While advice is primarily targeted at Merseyrail users, it is recognised that the transport network will be busier for everybody and that other travellers may want to consider their options too.

Key advice:

Don’t take the car, use public transport: The Mersey Tunnels and surrounding routes can accommodate additional buses but they will not be able to cope with an increase in cars, especially at peak times. Congestion will increase journey times for everyone.
Avoid travelling at peak times where possible: If you work, speak to your employer about whether there is any flexibility in working times or times you could avoid travelling altogether. If you can, you may want to leave work later and make the most of restaurants, shops and other leisure activities on whatever side of the river you’re travelling home from.
Leave more time for your journey: Whether you travel cross-river, within the rail network in Wirral, or usually make use of the underground rail ‘loop’ to get around the city centre, you will need more time for your journey to take account of the changes.
Consider your options: Different ways of travelling may suit your needs depending on where you need to go and at what time.
Said Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, MD of Merseyrail:

“We appreciate that this work will bring significant disruption to passengers on the Wirral line, resulting in temporary changes to how they make their journeys. However, we have worked hard with our partners to ensure that the alternative travel arrangements we’ve put in place provide the most effective ways of keeping people moving around the city region.”

Terry Strickland, Area Director Network Rail said:

"The Wirral line track renewal is part of a £340 million investment in the railway of the Liverpool City Region.

"After more than 40 years it is time to renew track on the loop line and river bed to maintain the safety and reliability of the network.

"Whilst underground we will also be undertaking maintenance jobs that will help boost the resilience of the network, limiting the need for further disruption in the future. We are supporting the work of Merseytravel and Merseyrail to keep the city region moving during this time and thank passengers in advance for their patience during the works."