Author: Martin Driver

Merseyrail has warned 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 Network Rail track and equipment.

Some routes closed

As a result, the number of trains running and journey times will be seriously affected. Additionally, some routes will be closed completely.

On the West Kirby and New Brighton 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 services will only run between Rock Ferry and Liverpool city centre again with a 15-minute frequency. No rail replacement buses will run.

Limited

A 15-minute service will operate on the Southport to Hunts Cross line. There will be a limited service at the Bank Hall, Hightown, Hall Road and Hillside stations which will have a 30-minute service.

On the Hunts Cross line, services will start and terminate at Liverpool South Parkway. Rail replacement buses will continue to run between Liverpool South Parkway and Hunts Cross stations.

On the Kirkby line no train services or rail replacement buses will run.

On the Ormskirk line a normal service will operate.

All of these changes will be in place from the start to end of service on Tuesday 19 July.

Infrastructure

Zoe Hands, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail said: “We apologise to Merseyrail passengers for the reduction of some services, this is due to a number of heat related issues with the infrastructure which mean our trains are unable to operate as normal.

“If you do have to travel, please remember to take water with you and to leave more time for your journey as disruption is possible.

“We are confident that services will return to normal from Wednesday onwards”

Safety precaution

Kara Wood, Head of Performance and Customer at Network Rail’s North West route, said: “We’re sorry to announce that due to the unprecedented heatwave forecast on Tuesday, we’re restricting some services on the Merseyrail network as a safety precaution.

“The predicted high temperatures could cause track temperatures to reach more than 50°C. When steel becomes very hot, it expands and rails can bend, flex and, in serious cases, buckle. These could lead to some trains being delayed, cancelled or stranded.

“In this extraordinary heat, rail passengers are being asked to only travel if absolutely necessary.”

People who are still travelling are advised to take a soft drink or water. Merseyrail staff will be on hand to help passengers who may struggle with the heat.

Any passengers who are feeling unwell while on a train should get off at the next stop and request help from station staff. Water will be available at all staffed stations for passengers who are feeling unwell.

Find out more from Merseyrail.

Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health Margaret Jones said today that she hasn’t gone away and neither has COVID.

With levels of COVID infections in the Borough at the highest level for 15 months Margaret Jones said it was important that people remember the measures needed to avoid getting infected and passing the virus on.

Margaret, who was the public face of Sefton’s response to the pandemic, said: “Everyone will have hoped that COVID had gone away and that they had heard and seen the last of me and I hoped that would be the case too.

“However, COVID is still very much with us, and I am still here to stress that thorough hand washing, ensuring ventilation in busy indoor spaces, wearing masks in crowded areas and sensible social distancing are still key ways to avoid getting infected.

“And, of course making sure we are fully vaccinated with the first and second jab and any boosters we’re eligible for, is vital.

“The NHS vaccination programme means people who have had at least all three jabs and any further boosters available, are far less likely to be seriously ill or need hospitalisation, and it’s still not too late to get one.

“All you need to do is call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.”

Mrs Jones went on to say that despite the protection the vaccinations provide, there are still those form whom contracting COVID could have major consequences.

She added: “Remembering the simple measures could help keep you, and them, safe.”

Recently one of the UK’s most senior health officials Dame Dr Jenny Harries, who last year praised Sefton for doing a ‘brilliant job’ dealing with the COVID variant that first emerged in India, urged people to wear masks in crowded places. She said the latest the wave of infections is a result of the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 and is “quite likely” to rise.

Last week the 200,000^th UK death from coronavirus was reported by the Office for National Statistics.

People can find the Government’s latest advice on living safely with COVID at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Margaret Jones added that families that are struggling from the impact of the COVID pandemic and the rising prices of fuel, food and other essentials may be able to find help with one-off costs through Sefton Council’s Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme (ELAS). Details are at www.sefton.gov.uk/elas