Merseyrail and Transport for Wales services to be be disrupted by RMT strike action

Due to strike action by RMT members of Network Rail there will be no Merseyrail train services on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June.

RMT is the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, and says: "Network Rail and the train operating companies have subjected their staff to multiyear pay freezes and plan to cut thousands of jobs which will make the railways unsafe.

"Despite intense talks with the rail bosses, RMT has not been able to secure a pay proposal nor a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies."

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said: "Railway workers have been treated appallingly and despite our best efforts in negotiations, the rail industry with the support of the government has failed to take their concerns seriously.

"We have a cost-of-living crisis, and it is unacceptable for railway workers to either lose their jobs or face another year of a pay freeze when inflation is at 11.1pc and rising."

Whilst Merseyrail staff are not taking part in this industrial action, it will involve Network Rail staff who operate the signalling systems and provide crucial maintenance which allow services to run safely. Therefore Merseyrail is unable to provide any train services on days when industrial action is taking place.

The same goes for Transport for Wales, which operates the Borderlands line on which Heswall station sits.

There will be no rail replacement buses on strike days and passengers are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.

Due to the industrial action lasting 24 hours, there will also be knock on effects on the day after each industrial action date except for Sunday 26 June. 

On Wednesday 22 and Friday 24 June limited rail replacement buses will run until 07:00 and trains will be reintroduced from 07:00.