The ongoing heatwave will cause major disruption on Merseyrail services as trains are cancelled and routes changed on Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to reach 34°C for the second day in a row and as a result the rail operator is advising people not to travel on its services. Issuing a statement on Monday night, after Liverpool reached a record 36°C Merseyrail said that the heat was causing problems to Network Rail track and equipment.
As a result, services on Tuesday will face significant disruption. The number of trains running and journey times will be seriously affected while some routes will be closed completely.
Read more: Heatwave which broke temperature records in Liverpool and beyond
On the West Kirby and New Brighton lines, services will only run between Birkenhead North and Liverpool city centre with a 15-minute frequency. There are no rail replacement buses.
Chester and Ellesmere Port services will only run between Rock Ferry and Liverpool city centre again with a 15-minute frequency. There are no rail replacement buses.
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 there are no train services or rail replacement buses. 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.
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”
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.
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