VISITORS planning to see the Giants in Liverpool this weekend are urged to plan their journeys carefully and ahead of time with a train strike set to be held on Saturday.

From Thursday to Sunday, the Giants will once again take to the streets of Liverpool and Northern Rail is warning of potential disruption due to strike action by RMT union which will result in significant reduction in services and an early finish for trains heading out of the city.

Details of services going to and from Liverpool on Saturday are:

  • Wigan stopping service - half hourly from Wigan first train 8.54am - final train from Liverpool 6.49pm
  • Wigan express calling at St Helens Central only - hourly first train from Wigan at 8.51am - final train from Liverpool 6.36pm
  • Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool via Warrington Central – hourly first train from Manchester 8.12am – final train from Liverpool 6.13pm
  • Manchester Victoria to Liverpool via St Helen’s Junction – hourly first train from Manchester 8.31am – final train from Liverpool 6.30pm

Craig Harrop, interim regional director at Northern, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Merseytravel and others in Liverpool City Region to help visitors to the city enjoy The Giants for a third time.

“We are doing everything we can to run as many services as possible to support the event and keep customers on the move.

“On Saturday however, as a result of RMT strike action, we will only be able to run a very limited service, with most trains starting after 8am and finishing before 7pm. Those services we are able to run will be extremely busy and I am calling on our customers to plan their travel carefully and, where possible, to seek alternative means of travel to and from Liverpool.”

Craig added: “Customers may also face some disruption on Sunday and, again, I would ask anyone who plans to use Northern services to travel into the city to plan ahead and check train running information.”

Details of Northern’s services can be found online at National Rail Enquiries or via Northern’s website.

 

A previous visit of the Giants to Liverpool

Meanwhile, British Transport Police is issuing advice as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to head into Liverpool over the four-day event and extra police officers will be patrolling the Merseyside rail network as the event extends across to the Wirral for the first time.

Whether they are travelling to and from the Giants event or for other reasons, people are strongly advised to:

• Use public transport where possible to minimise congestion

• Check timetables – be prepared for some changes to services leading up to the event. Use journey planners.

• Leave plenty of time to get where you want to go as services may take longer than usual

• Be patient as services will be extremely busy, expect queues.

• Consider arriving early or later if you can to avoid peak times

• Consider delaying your journey home – services will be busy at the end of each day's events, so consider staying in town and travelling back later

• Consider buying your tickets in advance to avoid queues on the day

St Helens Star:

The Liverpool Giants is returning

BTP silver commander for the event Chief Inspector Malcolm McKinnon said: “We are thrilled to be able to welcome the Giants to the region. Previous visits have demonstrated the enormous popularity of the event and our officers will be on hand across the rail network to help make sure you enjoy the event in safety.

“There will be a visible increase in the number of officers on the network to provide extra reassurance to visitors to the city and station and rail staff.

“This is very much a family event and something that will attract people of all ages. We ask that in order for everyone to enjoy the event, rail users are patient as services are expected to be busy throughout the event. Please be respectful of other passengers and rail staff who are doing their best to get you where you need to be safely. Any instances of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and will be tackled robustly.

“We have been working closely with partner agencies in the run up to the event and will continue to do so to ensure that any incidents are dealt with swiftly allowing fellow passengers to continue to enjoy the event and travel home safely.

“This promises to be a fantastic event and we want everyone to enjoy it. The rail network and stations will be very busy so passengers should make sure they keep an eye on their belongings and know to expect busy services and queues.”

Mick Noone, Merseytravel's director for integrated transport, added: "Demand on transport services will be high as this will be a very busy weekend for the City Region as we welcome back the Giants.

"At the same time, to facilitate the event we will see a number of diversions and disruptions to our road network. To enjoy the event to the fullest and avoid disappointment we strongly urge people to check information and plan their journeys, don't leave it until the last minute."

See merseytravel.gov.uk for more transport advice.