Merseyrail warns of major disruption if RMT strike goes ahead during Open weekend
Merseyrail is warning passengers that train services could be severely disrupted from Saturday 18 July to Monday 20 July 2026 if planned RMT strike action goes ahead.
The industrial action is part of an ongoing dispute over Merseyrail’s 2026 pay award. RMT members working as station retailers, station assistants, train managers, revenue protection officers, control centre staff, cleaners and some head office employees are involved.
Strike action has been called, but union members are also voting on a revised pay offer. The ballot is due to close at midday on Friday 17 July, and its result will determine whether the walkouts take place.
Merseyrail says the revised offer is worth 7.25% over two years and is backdated to January 2026. It follows the rejection of an initial 4% pay increase for 2026.
If the strike goes ahead, only a very limited service will operate. Services on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July will be prioritised for spectators travelling to The Open at Royal Birkdale, which runs until Sunday 19 July.
A 15-minute service will operate on the Southport line only, with trains calling at Liverpool Central, Blundellsands & Crosby, Hillside and Southport. Hillside is the closest Merseyrail station to Royal Birkdale.
Those trains are planned to run from 9am to 9pm, with a break in service around the middle of the day. No other Merseyrail services will operate on the Saturday and Sunday strike days.
On Monday 20 July, Merseyrail plans to run a limited service across the network from 10am until about 7pm, again with a break during the middle of the day. Full timetable details will be published through Merseyrail’s website and journey planner.
“While strike action has been called, our hope is that RMT members will support the revised offer currently being considered and that disruption to our customers and the wider Liverpool City Region can be avoided.”
Neil Grabham, managing director of Merseyrail, said the company would prioritise the Liverpool-Southport route because of The Open, but warned that “there will be significant disruption” if the action proceeds.
