The next phase of the Merseyrail platform upgrades will cause a month of disruption, as selected stations will be closed.
The platforms are in need of modifications, so that they are ready in time for a new fleet of trains in 2020.
Phase seven of the upgrade will take place on March 2nd and is expected to be finished by April 2nd. The work will be taking place on the Chester line but it will also affect the Ellesmere Port line. Stations from Chester to Rock Ferry will be disrupted.
Passengers travelling from Rock Ferry, Green Lane or Birkenhead Central will be able to board the train, but there will be a reduced service which will run every 15 minutes.
Rail replacement buses will call at all stations from Hooton and Rock Ferry on March 2nd until March 22nd. The buses will also stop at Hamilton Square, where passengers can then carry on their journey on a train.
On the weekend of March 23rd and March 24th, normal train services will run for all stations, while from March 25th replacement buses will run from Chester and Hooton up to April 2nd. Passengers can travel from Hooton via train.
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Commuters commented on what they thought about the closures.
John Blakewell, 37, of Wirral told JMU Journalism: “It’s good that Merseyrail are doing the best that they can by keeping commuters moving with the rail replacement buses, but it is annoying that there has been so many cancellations of trains and closures of stations, which have caused a lot of disruption.”
Sarah Jones, 26, of Merseyside said: “I use the trains nearly every day to get to work, so I’m not looking forward to travelling on the rail replacement buses early in the morning as they will be busy.”
Jennifer Holmes, 29, from Wirral told JMU Journalism: “I am happy that the platforms for the new trains are getting upgraded and I think that they are doing their best to keep people moving. Even though stations will be affected for a month, I know that it will be beneficial in the end.”
Information regarding the train and bus timetable can be found here.