Merseyrail issues timetable update after Met Office weather warning

UPDATE: Rail Replacement bus services have not been required as the rain has not impacted as significantly as expected.

Merseyrail has announced last minute changes to services as the region is expected to be battered by torrential rain on Monday, September 30. The rail service announced it will be changing services on the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines due to the yellow weather warning put in place by the Met Office.

The weather service announced on Sunday that Merseyside, along with most of the north west, will see widespread downpours for much of Monday. The weather warning is in place from 12.30am to 8pm, with it forecasting between 20-40mm of rainfall widely, with 60mm also possible in a few places across North Wales and north-west England.

Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick said they are expecting some “pretty heavy persistent rain” across the north west, with north Wales expected to get the brunt of the bad weather over Merseyside and Cheshire. As a result, it has been confirmed that Network Rail has placed restrictions on the Merseyrail network for Monday.

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The rail service said: "As a result of this restriction, train services on the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines will start and terminate at Rock Ferry from the start of service on Monday. Rail Replacement Bus services will operate, calling at all stations between Rock Ferry, Chester and Ellesmere Port.

"Network Rail are continuing to monitor the weather forecast and Merseyrail will seek to restore train services as soon as it is safe to do." The disruptions are only expected on Monday, with the downpours moving the to the north east of the country come Tuesday.