Closures announced as Merseyrail prepares for new trains

Bank Hall station has now shut for more than a month while the Wirral Loop Line will close between Christmas and New Year as Merseyrail continues preparations for the introduction of new trains in 2020.

The transport operator has already completed the first phase of works, including upgrades to platforms and track remodelling at Walton, Orrell Park, Aintree, Old Road, Maghull, Town Green, Aughton Park, and Ormskirk stations.

Phase two will now kick off later this month with the closure of Bank Hall station, which will remain closed until 16 December. Platform upgrades are being undertaken here and although trains will still run through, they will not be stopping with a bus replacement service running to Sandhills instead.

Additionally, the Wirral Loop Line and the river crossing will be closed between 27 December to 2 January, with New Brighton and West Kirby trains starting and terminating at Birkenhead North. Trains from Ellesmere Port and Chester will also terminate at Birkenhead Central.

The works carried out across the network will allow platforms to be ready for new trains, which feature step-free access; this will allow wheelchair users to board trains without a ramp.

Overall, Merseytravel and Network Rail will deliver upgrades to 100 platforms and will carry out track improvements at 58 stations ahead of the new trains arriving in 2020.

Wayne Menzies, Merseytravel head of rail said: “The Wirral loop line is one of our busiest interchanges and while we appreciate that people will want to travel to Liverpool over the Christmas holidays, our figures show us that this is its quietest time of year, which is why we’ve scheduled the work to take place.

“We will be using the same plan as we did during the Wirral Loop Line Track Renewals last year which were well received by passengers, and so we are confident that people’s travel arrangements won’t be hampered too much.

“We’ve got to complete these works. It’s really important that passengers know what’s happening so they can plan ahead and if we work together we can keep everyone moving and the City Region will remain open for business.”