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Merseyrail will run a limited train service on Saturday 8th October, due to a planned 24-hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.

The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national strike, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from 7am on Saturday 8th to 7am on Sunday 9th October.

Hourly service

Merseyrail will run an hourly service calling at all stations on selected lines between 07:30 and 18:30 to help passengers make essential journeys.

A summary of services that will operate on Saturday October 8 is as follows.

• Southport line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
• Ormskirk line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
• Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run hourly between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.
• New Brighton line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.
• West Kirby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations. 
• Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.
• Kirkby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.

There will be no trains on the Merseyrail network before approximately 07:30 or after approximately 18:30 on Saturday October 8.

There are no rail-replacement buses on the strike day. Passengers need to make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.

Sunday works on Southport line

On Sunday October 9, a normal service will be in operation from the start of service. However, Southport line services will be disrupted due to track renewal work and essential bridge maintenance. Rail replacement buses will run between Hall Road station and Southport station. Trains will run between Hall Road station and Liverpool city centre stations in line with the normal Sunday timetable.

Full timetables are available here. 

Plan ahead

Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said: “ As has been the case  with previous days of strike action, Merseyrail continues to plan ahead and ensure train services remain in operation on our network during periods of national disruption.

“We would remind passengers that travelling on Saturday 8th October will require journeys to be planned and that trains are likely to be very busy. We would ask that passengers allow for extra travelling time and be patient with us as we work hard to ensure we get everyone to where they need to be.” 

Customers hoping to travel onwards by train with other train operators should check relevant websites, as many train companies are not running services on Saturday 8th October.

If you want to make a difference to a child’s life please find out more about becoming a foster carer with Sefton Council.

As a foster carer you’ll be giving some of Sefton’s most vulnerable children and young people the stability and support which will allow them to flourish and reach their full potential.

Sefton is committed to providing the very best around the clock support to our carers, every step of the way.

Please take a look at our Brand-New Fostering Information Booklet where you can gain insight into what it is like to be a foster carer, get the chance to meet some of our amazing foster carers and find details about our comprehensive Lifestyle and Support Package.

This package includes high-quality training/development and payment and allowance rates.

It also includes lifestyle benefits such as free Gym and Active Sefton membership for the whole household, free parking available across the whole of Sefton and much more.

Please make an enquiry here Contact Us – Sefton Fostering Service

Or contact the Fostering team for more information free phone 0800 923 2777 or email Fostering@sefton.gov.uk

Please take a look at our NEW Information Booklet  NEW Fostering Information Booklet OL

Bootle and England football legend Alex Greenwood is set to be immortalised with a huge mural in the heart of her hometown.

The 29-year-old Euro 2022 winning Lioness said she was honoured to have a mural commemorating her sporting successes painted onto the front of 320 Stanley Road in Bootle, thanks to joint funding from Sefton Council and REPT Sports.

Renowned Liverpool artist John Culshaw will be tasked with creating the mural, with work starting on Monday, October 3rd.

The 22ft mural will sit pride of place on the busy Bootle town centre thoroughfare and be seen by thousands of schoolchildren, shoppers and commuters every day.

Alex, who has passionately represented her hometown of Bootle in the world of women’s football from an early age, was one of the valiant Lionesses who lifted the 2022 Women’s European Championship Trophy earlier this year.

The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1, with Bootle’s Greenwood playing a major part after coming off the bench in the second half.

The former St Monica’s and Savio Salesian pupil has remained true to her hometown roots and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women & girls football within Sefton, ensuring she takes time out of her busy footballing career to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout the borough.

Alex said: “I would like to thank Sefton Council for this mural.

“It’s really important for me to be able to send a message to young girls in my area that anything is possible.

“Many of the dreams I had while walking the streets of Bootle and playing on the pitches have come true through hard work and perseverance.

“Characteristics that were formed in Bootle.”

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Alex has always been an inspiration to our sporting youngsters and we were over the moon when she, along with the other amazing Lionesses, brought home the European Championship.

“To be able to honour Alex in this way with a permanent mural in the heart of her hometown is fantastic and I know that the thousands of schoolchildren who will pass by it every day will be inspired just by seeing it.

“I want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alex’s hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the world’s best female footballers. Her progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton.”

Popular Liverpool artist John Culshaw, who rose to fame with his incredible murals of Ringo Starr in Toxteth and Mo Salah in Anfield, will begin work on Alex’s mural on Monday, October 3rd, ahead of a special launch with Alex herself in the coming weeks.

John said: “It was a real honour to be asked to create this mural.

“I think we have a way of getting behind our stars in Liverpool and for a Bootle girl to bring home our nation’s first piece of international silverware in 56 years is definitely something to be celebrated!

“What better way to show how proud we are than to have this mural in Alex’s hometown.”

Sefton Council, through its Active Sefton team and continued work with sports partners, strives to actively promote, support and improve football facilities in the borough to allow future generations the opportunity and access to the beautiful game.

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