Plan ahead to beat traffic chaos

TALKS are underway between Merseyrail and railway unions to try to avert a strike planned for this Friday.

A ballot of drivers backed strike action and the first is due to take place for 24 hours on Friday. Drivers are demanding a pay rise, a 35-hour week and improvements to their pension schemes.

Meanwhile Merseytravel is advising commuters and shoppers to plan ahead in case the stoppage goes ahead.

A spokesman advised people to follow a three-point plan to reduce delays between Wirral and Liverpool. Mersey Tunnels customers are being asked to share lifts with friends and neighbours, stagger journey times where possible to spread the load and to make non-essential journeys outside peak hours.

"Small points such as having the right money for the booths can make an enormous difference in keeping the traffic flow moving," he said.

Mersey Ferries customers are reminded that Seacombe Terminal will be out of action during the next fortnight for the installation of a new landing stage.

The ferries will sail every 20 minutes between Woodside and Liverpool while work on the stage is in progress.

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