PASSENGERS coming in and out of Liverpool on trains face delays and disruption over the August Bank Holiday weekend amid a series of line improvement works.

National Rail has warned those planning to use services between August 29 and August 31 to check before they travel as massive signalling upgrade works around Manchester force disruption to normal services.

Trains will be diverted on to different routes and some rail replacement buses will be in operation between Warrington, Runcorn, Crewe and Liverpool South Parkway.

Phil James, director for Network Rail’s North west route, said the work, which will see signalling control transferred to a new centre in Manchester, would reduce future delays.

He said: "We know there is never a good time to close the railway, but longer bank holiday weekends mean engineers can carry out complex work like this major upgrade to the signalling system in Ditton as part of the Great North Rail Project.

"I'd like to thank passengers in advance for their patience and encourage them to check National Rail Enquiries now in advance of the upcoming bank holiday weekend.”

Passengers are also being urged to follow government rules on face coverings and ensure they are wearing them while travelling.

Social distancing measures will see queuing systems in place when boarding services in some stations and there will also be less space on trains and replacement buses.

Further south, there will be major rail upgrades in the West Midlands, meaning no direct services will move between Birmingham and London Euston for the entire weekend and on Sunday, September 6.

Passengers planning to use these routes are being warned to expect changes to their usual journey and urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk/westcoast to see how their trip will be impacted.