THE Wirral Loop Line will fully reopen on Monday (June 19) following six months of track renewal work.

Transport leaders are thanking people for their support and good spirits ahead of the reopening as commuters will be able to cross the river via train.

The track in the underground loop was built in the 1970s and needed to be replaced.

In an attempt to minimise disruption Network Rail replaced the track under the riverbed between James Street and Hamilton Square.

The new track will last up to 60 years and will enhance the overall safety of the network, this will also support the new Merseyrail fleet in 2020.

Merseyrail’s managing director, Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde said: “During big engineering projects such as this one, our main aim is ensuring that there are viable travel alternatives in place so that disruption is kept to a minimum.

“We know that journey times for Wirral line passengers were longer over the last six months, but research tells us that customers were aware of the work and understood that it needed to be done.

“We thank not just Merseyrail passengers but everyone in the city region affected by the work for their patience and understanding throughout.”

During the first and third stage there were no trains between Liverpool city-centre and Birkenhead.

In stage two, which lasted 15 weeks, trains went only as far as James Street.

Chief executive of Merseytravel Frank Rogers said: “The aim was to keep the Liverpool City Region moving by taking a holistic approach to the work, not just focusing on rail but the impacts on the whole transport network.

“We’re pleased with how it’s gone and people’s patience while we undertook this essential work.

“Travellers heeded the advice, adapting well to other transport such as taking to the Mersey Ferries and existing cross-river bus services as well as replacement buses.

“This scheme has been invaluable in shaping our approach for future major infrastructure schemes.”