Plan journeys for industrial action
TRAIN passengers from Halton travelling around the rest of the Liverpool City Region are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of industrial action.
Members of the RMT union on Merseyrail and Northern will be on strike on Friday, January 12.
Merseyrail services are planned to run every 30 minutes, with the exception of the New Brighton to Liverpool services which will be every hour, from around 6.30am to 7.30pm, with a break in service between approximately 11am and 1.30pm.
Wirral services will start and terminate from James Street Station.
There will be no services on the lines from Hunts Cross to Liverpool Central, Ellesmere Port to Hooton, Chester to Hooton, Kirkby to Liverpool Central and Ormskirk to Maghull.
Merseyrail tickets will be accepted on Arriva bus services, except between 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm.
Northern will operate a reduced service, with the majority of available trains operating between 7am and 7pm.
Strike action also took place on Monday, January 8, and Wednesday, January 10.
Northern regional director Sharon Keith said: “We are doing everything we can to keep our customers on the move during the three days of industrial action affecting our network.
“We are still working to determine the exact services we will be able to operate, but those trains that do run will be on an amended timetable and are likely to be extremely busy.
“We ask our customers to plan carefully, allow extra time for travel and check the Northern website for the latest information.”
Advice to commuters from Runcorn and Widnes who use trains includes planning ahead and considering alternative travel options, checking timetables and leaving more time for journeys, as well as speaking to employers about whether there is any flexibility in working times or the possibility of working from home.
Further advice includes avoiding travelling at peak times where possible, and to stick to public transport wherever possible to reduce congestion on key routes in and out of Liverpool city centre including Mersey Tunnels.
Merseyrail managing director Andy Heath said: “I am really disappointed with the strike action being taken by the RMT that will, after the previous strike days, yet again result in more disruption to your services.
“The timing of these latest strikes, three within a week, has been deliberately scheduled so as to cause as much impact as possible to you as a passenger.
“At the request of the Metro Mayor, we agreed to independent conciliation with the RMT union with no pre-conditions, but to date, the RMT have refused to meet without pre-conditions.
“I am very keen to begin a meaningful dialogue and engage in a detailed negotiation to find a middle ground which will satisfy all parties.
“As always, we will ensure that we deliver as robust a timetable as we can that will best serve your travel needs.”
The RMT has called the strike action over proposals from Northern – operated by Arriva Rail North – which would mean nearly half a million trains a year running on the company’s network without the ‘crucial safety guarantee’ of the second, safety-critical member of staff on board, the union claims.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “As a result of the Arriva Rail North attitude the action goes ahead in defence of rail safety, access and security and the public will understand that we are fighting in the interests of rail passengers across the region.
“This dispute is about putting public safety before private profit and that is the message we will be sending out on the picket lines from Monday.” ●