Merseyrail services were cancelled this morning due to a "disruption" at a picket line.
The National Union for Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers confirmed that police officers were called to the picket line that is taking place at Sandhills this morning to "assist" management getting into work. As a result of the disruption, the rail network was forced to cancel services across the network.
The strike, which finishes at midnight today, is currently on its fifth day which has seen limited services running across Merseyside. Services were expected to run every 45 minutes across the network, although Merseyrail confirmed on its Twitter this morning that services were "unable to run".
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The tweet, published at 7.50am, said: "Due to activity relating to today's planned industrial action, we are unable to run the planned timetable. We are working to reinstate train services and will share more information as soon as it is available."
RMT regional organiser for the North West, Darren Ireland, confirmed to the ECHO that the cause of the delays was in fact the "peaceful picket line" that took place outside Sandhills train station. He said: "There was a peaceful picket line at Sandhills this morning that caused a delay to services.
"Police attended to assist management going into work. I don't see that as their role, to be honest. There were no problems and it was low-key."
Jane English, acting managing director at Merseyrail, said: "Services across the Merseyrail network were suspended for around 90 minutes this morning due to a protest taking place outside the Network Rail control room in Liverpool. This protest by members of the RMT union relates to the industrial action being taken today nationally as part of the ongoing dispute between RMT and Network Rail.
"Unfortunately, this temporarily prevented Network Rail signalling staff who are needed to operate the reduced 45-minute timetable which is planned for the Merseyrail network today, from entering the building.
"We worked closely with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to resolve the situation and allow services to resume. Our reduced timetable is now operating as planned across the network.
"I'd like to offer my sincere apologies to our passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted this morning."
Merseyside Police has been approached for a comment.
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