Significant disruption again on Southport and Merseyrail train services as heat takes its toll

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There will be significant disruption to services on Tuesday 19 July due to the forecast high temperatures and red weather warnings in place, passengers are advised not to travel unless essential.

The extremely high temperatures are causing a number of heat related problems to the Network Rail track and equipment, and so a limited service is running on some lines only.

If your journey is essential and you decide to travel, please prepare alternative travel arrangements for your return journey in case there are further infrastructure issues tomorrow and you cannot return by train.

If you do have to travel remember to take water with you and to leave more time for your journey.  

The following changes will be in place from the start to end of services on Tuesday 19 July:

  • New Brighton and West Kirby lines – Services will only run between Birkenhead North and Liverpool city centre with a 15-minute frequency. No rail replacement buses will run.
  • Chester and Ellesmere Port lines – Services will only run between Rock Ferry and Liverpool city centre again with a 15-minute frequency. No rail replacement buses will run.
  • Kirkby line – Due to multiple heat related track failures on the Kirkby line no trains will run. No rail replacement buses will run. 
  • Southport line - A 15-minute service will operate on the Southport to Hunts Cross line. There will be a limited service at Bank Hall, Hightown, Hall Road and Hillside stations which will have a 30-minute service, departure times are available below.
  • Hunts Cross line - All trains will start and terminate at Liverpool South Parkway. Rail replacement buses will continue to run between Liverpool South Parkway and Hunts Cross stations.
  • Ormskirk line – The normal timetable will run.

We expect to return to the normal timetable on all lines from Wednesday 20 July.