Merseyrail has cancelled trains for a third day running as cold weather continues across Merseyside.
The travel provider will continue implementing its cold weather mitigation plan for a third day despite no weather warning being in place. Merseyrail has said although temperatures are starting to pick up, mitigation plans will be in place overnight tonight and in the morning (Thursday, January 18) meaning the first services of the day on each line will run without passengers.
Merseyrail network tracks will be treated overnight to protect them from ice build-up, while station staff will ensure that platforms and car parks are well gritted. However, despite the same plans being in place on Wednesday morning, there was major disruption on two lines.
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On the Northern Line, all services from Hunts Cross were suspended and trains instead running only from Liverpool Central to Southport and visa versa. To add to the frustration, a message from the operator told passengers that ice on the roads meant rail replacement buses were unable to serve its stations.
On the Wirral Line, all services between Rock Ferry and Ellesmere Port were also suspended, with passengers told to use Chester services and change at Hooton. Those same Chester services, while running, were subject to delays.
Merseyrail acting Managing Director Jane English said: “Due to freezing temperatures overnight, some lines on the Merseyrail network suffered significant disruption at the start of service on 18 January. I want to offer my sincere apologies to passengers who were disrupted by these delays, which affected the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines to Hooton, and Hunts Cross to Liverpool Central particularly.
“The Chester and Ellesmere Port line was impacted by ice on the third rail, making it extremely difficult for the train to pick up power. This led to delays on this part of the network. The Hunts Cross line was similarly hit by icing on the powered third rail, causing similar problems in that area.
“Merseyrail and Network Rail colleagues were out working hard overnight and into the morning to deal with the cold issues. However, in some parts of the network the ice build-up was significant. I can assure our passengers that we will be working hard to ensure the best possible service tomorrow morning.”
According to the Met Office temperatures in Liverpool will reach a low of 2C overnight with wintery showers also expected.
Here's the full list of changes to Merseyrail's services on Thursday:
Chester and Ellesmere Port lines
The first train of the day from Hooton (5.39am to Liverpool Central) will be cancelled.
The first train of the day from Ellesmere Port (6.17am to Liverpool Central) will only be in passenger service from Hooton onwards.
The first train of the day from Chester (5.55am to Liverpool Central) will only be in passenger service from Hooton onwards.
New Brighton line
The first train of the day (5.53am to Liverpool Central) will be cancelled.
The 6.16am Moorfields to New Brighton is cancelled.
West Kirby line
The first train of the day (5.51am to Liverpool Central) will be cancelled.
The 6.21am Moorfields to West Kirby is cancelled.
Southport line
The first train of the day from Sandhills (5.59am to Southport) will be cancelled.
The 5.52am from Southport to Hunts Cross will operate as normal.
The first train of the day from Southport (5.37am to Hunts Cross) is cancelled.
Hunts Cross line
The first train of the day from Hunts Cross to Liverpool Central will depart at 7.06am. The earlier 6.01am, 6.21am, 6.36am and 6.51am trains are cancelled.
The first train from Liverpool Central to Hunts Cross will depart at 6.43am
Ormskirk line
First train of the day (5.49am to Liverpool Central) will be cancelled.
Kirkby line
First train of the day (5.43am to Liverpool Central) will be cancelled.
Passengers should check before they travel by using the Merseyrail app, website www.merseyrail.org/ or Twitter account @merseyrail.
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