Trains will run for Open on limited service only
MERSEYRAIL has issued urgent advice to spectators planning to travel to Southport to watch the final day of The Open golf championship at Royal Birkdale this Sunday ( July 23).
The MRT trade union has called a strike for that day.
But Merseyrail has revealed that spectators, and people working at the event, will still be able to travel there by rail.
Merseyrail confirmed it will run a service specifically to get people to and from Royal Birkdale, with no other services running on the Merseyrail network that day.
There will be a service every 15 minutes between Liverpool Central and Hillside and Southport from 9am to about 12.30pm and then from about 5pm to about 8.30pm.
To support spectators who park and ride, morning services between Liverpool Central and Hillside will call every half hour at Blundellsands and Crosby and every evening service back to Liverpool Central will call there.
No industrial action is planned for mainline rail operators that day, mean- ing people can still travel into Liverpool and around other parts of the city region as normal, including on Northern services into Southport from places such as Manchester and Burscough, where they can also use the Merseyrail network to travel to The Open.
A Merseyrail spokesman said: “Plan ahead and leave longer for your journey as there may be queues. Don’t aim for the last train home – be at the station in good time.
“To ensure golf fans get a train back to Liverpool, they should be in the queue at Hillside by 7.30pm.”
Full details of Merseyrail services are on the website, www.merseyrail. org/golf or call 0151 227 5181.