MERSEYRAIL has announced plans to ensure that a rail strike planned for Grand National day will not disrupt racegoers’ travel plans.

The plans came about after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union declared a second day of strike action on Saturday, April 8 after talks with transport organisation about having guards on the new driver-only trains broke down.

In the interests of public safety, Merseyrail have prioritised the route to Aintree from the city centre.

As a result there will be fewer trains or no trains at all on other parts of the network on strike day.

There will be some rail replacement buses that will run on certain lines and key bus routes will be strengthened.

People travelling on mainline rail services will still be able to travel in and out of Liverpool but because Northern is also affected by strike action from the RMT people will need to check timetables before they travel.

Chief executive of Merseytravel, Frank Rogers said: “We have been working closely with Merseyrail, Aintree Racecourse and other transport operators to ensure that despite the strike, we can get people to and from Aintree and help keep the City Region moving.

“We are used to the transport challenges of big events with all partners coming together to go the extra mile.

“This is no different.

“It is a calculated and cynical move by the RMT to try and use the Grand National, the jewel in our City Region’s crown as a gambling chip in RMT’s national battle.

“The RMT’s claim that this issue is about passenger safety falls apart when they are prepared to put the travelling public at risk by deliberately putting more pressure on a much reduced network”.

Merseyrail believe that if the RMT call off the strike any later than April 5 there will not be enough time to get the normal service up and running and to restore all of the original security, emergency services cover and logistical support.

Aintree Racecourse’s managing director, John Baker said: “We’ve been extremely encouraged that by working closely together with Merseyrail, Merseytravel and other transport providers we are doing everything possible to ensure racing fans will be transported effectively on Grand National day with as little disruption as possible.

“They have always been excellent transport partners for our event and we are very pleased they will be able to provide such comprehensive transport to and from Aintree on Saturday April 8.

“I’m confident that when race-goers arrive at Aintree Racecourse they will be part of a world class spectacle – we look forward to welcoming them”.

Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail’s managing director, said: “Our focus is clear – to support the Liverpool city region and its economy on our biggest day of the year. Despite the RMT’s best efforts to scupper this iconic event and create misery for the tens of thousands of people who look forward to it all year, we’ve developed a timetable aimed at getting as many people between central Liverpool and Aintree, as we normally do on Grand National day. We are putting our passengers and the city region first. The RMT is not.

“The people of the city region deserve the best, and that is why we are introducing new trains from 2020. They will be faster, able to carry more people and have the latest technology, including a sliding step to make boarding safer, as well as wi-fi. Rather than playing games with our region’s biggest day, the RMT should join us in meaningful negotiations on the future of the guards when the new trains arrive and talk with us about our offer to guarantee a job for all who want to stay.”

Merseyrail timetable overview:

  • 7½-minute service to Aintree from Liverpool Central between 11.15am and 1.30pm, calling at Moorfields only.
  • 7½-minute service from Aintree to Liverpool Central between 5.30pm and 7.15pm, calling at Moorfields only.
  •  15-minute service to Aintree from Liverpool Central between 10am and 11am, calling at Moorfields only.
  • 15-minute service from Aintree to Liverpool Central between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, and between 7.15pm and 9pm, calling at Moorfields only.
  • Half-hourly service between West Kirby and James Street from 10am till 1.30pm and from 4.45pm till 9pm.
  • Half-hourly service from James Street to West Kirby from 10.30am till 2pm and from 5pm till 21.30.
  • No services between Chester and Hooton or between Ellesmere Port and Hooton. Existing bus services to offer direct connections between Chester, Ellesmere Port and Liverpool.
  • No services on the New Brighton line. Existing bus services to offer direct connections between New Brighton and Liverpool.