Three Merseyrail strikes called off at last minute by RMT Union

The RMT union has suspended the first three strikes in its fresh wave of planned industrial action.

The union was preparing Merseyrail workers to walk-out on Saturday - in a move that could have caused travel chaos around the city region.

It would have been the first of six new strike days that the union announced as it reignited a long-running row with Merseyrail over the introduction of a new fleet of trains.

And there were fears that the rail strike alongside major work planned for Queens Drive could have led to serious disruption with Liverpool taking on Arsenal at Anfield at 5.30pm on Saturday evening.

But today, the union confirmed that after meeting with Mayor Rotheram and Merseytravel - the region's transport board - it had suspended the first three of the planned strikes.

Strikes planned for August 24 and September 3 and 5 have been called off.

However, three remaining strikes are still in place for September 30, October 2 and 4.

Moorfields Merseyrail underground train station, Liverpool refurbishment pictured the new look Wirral Line. Photo by Colin Lane. (Liverpool Echo)

A statement from the union said: "Following a positive meeting with Steve Rotheram Metro Mayor, MerseyTravel and the RMT fresh proposals have been made which represent significant progress in regards to addressing RMT’s concerns.

"In order to allow for further detailed discussion the RMT has agreed to suspend industrial action called for 24 August, 3 and 5 September 2019."