MERSEYRAIL will run a limited service this Saturday (October 1), due to a planned 24-hour strike by Network Rail staff who are members of the RMT union.

The Liverpool City Region rail network is affected by the UK-wide national walk out, as Network Rail signalling and maintenance employees will be taking industrial action from from 7am on Saturday October 1 to 7am on Sunday (October 2).

Whilst Merseyrail employees are not involved in the industrial action, Network Rail’s arrangements with contingency staff restrict Merseyrail’s ability to run the full train service.

Merseyrail will run an hourly service calling at all stations on selected lines between 07:30 and 18:30 to help passengers make essential journeys.

A summary of services that will operate on Saturday (October 1) is as follows:

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: No trains will operate between Chester and Rock Ferry or Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry. Trains will run hourly between Rock Ferry and Liverpool Central, calling at all stations.

New Brighton line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.

West Kirby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations. Southport line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.

Hunts Cross line: No trains will operate between Liverpool Central and Hunts Cross.

Ormskirk line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.

Kirkby line: Trains will run hourly, calling at all stations.

There will be no trains on the Merseyrail network before approximately 7.30am or after approximately 6.30pm on Saturday (October 1).

There are no rail-replacement buses on the strike day. Passengers should make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.

On Sunday (October 2) a normal service will be in operation from the start of service. However, due to planned engineering works, there will be disruption on the Southport, West Kirby and New Brighton lines.

This will see rail replacement buses run between Hall Road station and Southport station, and between Birkenhead North and all stations to West Kirby and New Brighton.

Full timetables are available via the operator’s website at https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/network-rail-strike-action.aspx Andy Heath, Managing Director at Merseyrail said: "We continue to work closely with Network Rail to allow train services to operate on our Network during these further periods of National disruption.

"However, anyone planning to travel on October 1 needs to be aware that our trains are likely to be very busy.

"So, please plan your journey carefully, allow for extra travelling time and be patient with us. We will be working hard to ensure you get to where you need to be."

Customers hoping to travel onwards on other train operators should check relevant websites, as many train companies are not running services on October 1. Merseyrail services are not expected to be affected by the Industrial action that has been announced for some train operating companies on October 5.

Further information about future strikes including that announced for October 8 will be made available in due course.