TRAVEL chaos hit Merseyside as last week’s bad weather caused scores of trains to be cancelled, motorists complain about not enough grit being laid down on the roads, and claims communities were on “lock-down”.

Transport infrastructure struggled due to the icy conditions but if forecasts and Met Office warnings are anything to go by, we are in for even worse weather this week.

Snow showers and plummeting temperatures are expected to arrive in the North West on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for most of the country.

Last week, scores of rail cancellations infuriated commuters across the Merseyrail network, with no replacement buses laid on in their place

Services were cancelled on Wednesday on the Southport, Ormskirk, Ellesmere Port and Chester lines from 6am until the early afternoon, and trains on the New Brighton and West Kirby lines were subject to delays.

Shocking footage also showed sparks flying before passengers on board a Merseyrail train were evacuated onto an icy track.

So what preparations do the authorities have in place, and how prepared are Merseyrail for these predictions?

When contacted for comment, the organisation didn’t tell us much, but said they were doing “everything possible” in preparation.

A spokeswoman said: “Merseyrail works closely with Network Rail to do everything possible to minimise the impact of adverse weather conditions on the network, including using anti-ice on the rails.

“Passengers are advised to check before they travel by visiting the Merseyrail website or Twitter.”

Elsewhere last week, commuters in Wirral fumed at delays caused by the ice and frost on the M53 and surrounding roads – claiming the council and highway authorities were not well prepared for it.

On the day, the authority refuted that, saying the situation was dealt with accordingly – despite scores of motorists taking to social media to blame it for a lack of preparation.

The Local Democracy Service on Monday asked Wirral council what, if any, preparations had been made for this week, and was told its gritting fleet are on “permanent standby”.

Over the next few days, staff will continue to monitor conditions and forecasts around the clock, the council added.

A spokesman said: “We have ample capacity of salt to get out and treat roads whenever it is needed, including repeating the rounds if conditions require it.

“We have staff on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week over winter monitoring the regular, detailed forecasts that we receive from our meteorological specialists in order to make decisions on when to deploy gritters to maximise their effectiveness.

“Our gritting fleet are on permanent standby and can be deployed with less than an hour’s notice if necessary. We have ten full-size gritters and four mini-gritters in our fleet and collectively they can ensure 288 miles of well-used main roads and bus routes in Wirral are fully treated within around three hours.”

He added that the authority was “proud” of the winter maintenance service and the staff who work “so hard”, adding: “Our primary focus is on pre-gritting to try and stop ice forming but we will also work to clear snow and ice after it has formed on roads.

“However, road users should understand that salt alone does not melt snow and ice. It needs cars to drive over a gritted road to grind it into the ice and activate it.”

It was also reported last week that residents in Formby were “on lock-down” as the icy weather wreaked havoc.

On Monday, a spokesman for Sefton council said its team monitors forecasts “24 hours a day”.

He added: “When temperatures are forecast to drop below a certain point we will instruct our contractor to begin gritting over 290 miles of prioritised highway and additionally heavily pedestrianised footpaths, as required.

“This process can occur at any time and will be repeated numerous times throughout the day if necessary.

“Snow ploughs are available to be fitted to each gritter for use when appropriate.”

Merseytravel, which has responsibility for coordinating public transport across the Liverpool City Region, said it has “contingency plans” – but advised customers to check its website before travelling.

A spokesman said: “At Merseytravel we work hard to ensure that the transport network is as prepared as it can be for all conditions. Whilst snow and ice have the potential to make things more difficult, we understand how important it is to keep the Liverpool City Region moving, as far as is possible.

“Together with our partners, including Merseyrail and regional bus operators, we’ve put in place coordinated contingency plans which would help us respond in the event of extreme weather. Before they travel, we always advise customers to check Merseytravel’s website and social media accounts – as well as those of Merseyrail and local bus operators – which are regularly updated with the latest travel information and alerts.”