RAIL services across Wirral and Merseyside are suspended for a second day as a national rail strike continues in an ongoing dispute over over pay, jobs and conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail and 13 train operators are taking industrial action, crippling services across the UK.

Only around one in five trains will run and mainly on main lines during the day.

Merseyrail confirmed that no trains whatsoever will run on the network due to RMT members of Network Rail rail staff walking out on strike.

Merseyrail passengers will also face further disruptions at the weekend as no trains will run on Saturday.

Despite the action, Merseyrail staff are not be taking part in the strikes but Network Rail staff who operate the systems and allow the trains to run safely will be.

No rail replacement buses will be available today, with passengers advised to make alternative arrangements.

Merseyrail has also warned that while trains will still run-on days between strikes there will be knock-on impacts expected.

For first morning services on Friday replacement buses will be used with normal trains running again from 7am.

 

 

Andy Heath, managing director at Merseyrail said: "It is very disappointing that we will be unable to provide a rail service to the people of the Liverpool City Region because of three days of industrial action by some Network Rail staff.

"Our network is unable to function without the support of Network Rail signalling and maintenance staff who play a critical role in the safe operation of our train services.

"We share the frustration of our passengers regarding the disruption and inconvenience this will undoubtedly cause."

For updates, see: https://www.merseyrail.org/