MERSEYRAIL is adding extra carriages to trains on both Northern and Wirral lines and several city centre roads will be closed this evening as thousands of people gather in Liverpool for a special commemoration for those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

The names and ages of each of the victims will be read outside St George's Hall plateau where a solemn memorial emblazoned with the words Truth and Justice towers over a row of lanterns, one for each of the lives lost in the 1989 tragedy.

The event has been organised as a way to mark yesterday’s historic inquest verdicts which after 27 years found the 96 victims had been unlawfully killed and fans were not to blame in any way for the disaster.

The commemoration will start at 5.45pm, but road closures are expected to be in place around the Hall, including Lime Street and parts of London Road, from around 4.30pm to 8pm.

Diversions will be in place for motorists and bus services during this time.

To minimise congestion, rail passengers are being advised to use Liverpool Central for the Northern line and Moorfields for the Wirral line.

The public are being advised to allow time for their journeys to and from the event as thousands are expected to come and pay their respects.

Merseytravel issued the following advice:

•The transport network is expected to be very busy before and after the event, particularly as it falls within rush hour. Allow time for your journey.

•To facilitate the service there will be a number of road closures in and around St George’s Hall between around 4.30pm and 8pm - most notably London Road and Lime Street. Buses will be diverted during this time and will not call at Queen Square bus station.

•If you are catching the bus during the period of the road closures: For services to South Liverpool head to Liverpool One, Hanover Street or Elliot Street. For London Road services head to Victoria Street or London Road.

Detail on alternative pick locations for specific services can be found at www.merseytravel.gov.uk

•If you are catching the bus after the event: Merseytravel will endeavour to re-open Queen Square as soon as possible. However, the timing of this will depend on the size of crowds and the lifting of road closures. Staff will be on hand at Queen Square to help you get where you want to go.

•Merseyrail services will be strengthened where possible on the Northern and Wirral lines.

•Following the service, Merseyrail advise using Liverpool Central for Northern line services and Moorfields for Wirral line services.

Merseytravel’s website www.merseytravel.gov.uk gives advice on travelling to and from the event including changes to bus services as a result of the road closures.