Merseyrail Wirral Loop Line Renewal

[joke2711]

So Merseyrail have announced the new timetables for their renewal work and disappointingly not only do we have a replacement bus to contend with to get us to Liverpool and beyond, they have also reduced the daytime frequency from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. It's going to be a labour of love travelling for the first six months of 2017 but at least we can look forward to a normal service post July ... oh eck then its Lime Street re-modelling time..

Roll on 2019!!!

 

[headshot119]

Shall we correct a lot of the misinformation in your post ?

3rd January - 12th of February:- phase 1

30 minute frequency on the West Kirkby and New Brighton lines mostly running as six car trains terminating at Birkenhead North.

Ellesmere Port services will be a shuttle to Hooton for most of the day. When through trains run they will all terminate at Birkenhead Central.

15 minute frequency on the Chester line with all trains terminating at Birkenhead Central.

Fast buses will link Birkenhead Central and North to Liverpool city centre.

A triangular is service will run connecting Birkenhead North, Hamilton Square and Birkenhead Central.

13th February - 29th May:- phase 2

Monday - Friday

30 minute frequency on the West Kirkby and New Brighton lines mostly running as six car trains terminating at James Street

Ellesmere Port services will be a shuttle to Hooton for most of the day. When through trains run they will all terminate at James Street

15 minute frequency on the Chester line with all trains terminating at James Street.

Tickets accepted on local buses to travel round Liverpool city centre if you don't want to walk.

Saturday - Sunday

Per phase 1

30th May - 18th June:- phase 3

Per phase 1


Mersyerail have made good a very difficult task to undertake. Plenty of information has been published ahead of time. And where possible they have maintained journey opportunities.

 

[jamesst]

It's also worth pointing out they are only able to use 1 platform at James Street this time as opposed to the usual 2 during the usual engineering work meaning a reduced service.

 

[joke2711]

I appreciate the full details (which I was aware off), but it doesn't take away the fact that for passengers using both the New Brighton and West Kirby lines the daytime service is being reduced by 50% when there are considerable delays being caused due to the engineering works.

I can't understand why they wont run a replacement bus every 15 minutes from Birkenhead North ... the demand is there.

Also, less train crew will be working so what will happen to drivers and guards?

 

[xtradj]

This will be absolutely horrendous by the way.

 

[headshot119]

I appreciate the full details (which I was aware off), but it doesn't take away the fact that for passengers using both the New Brighton and West Kirby lines the daytime service is being reduced by 50% when there are considerable delays being caused due to the engineering works.

I can't understand why they wont run a replacement bus every 15 minutes from Birkenhead North ... the demand is there.

Also, less train crew will be working so what will happen to drivers and guards?

You'll probably find the buses at Birkenhead North and Central will be "full and go", I doubt they'll stick to a rigid 30 minute timetable, they never have during any other time they run!

I'm fairly sure there's only one platform at Birkenhead North available during the works, so they need to reduce the number of trains turning back there. (There's actually two for arrivals, but it requires a shunt towards Hamilton Square to get back into the only available departure platform)

I'm not so sure on the less train crew comment, if they only have one platform at James Street available I'd imagine stepping back will be in force, which eats into crews.

A lot of staff are also redeployed to help move people onto the buses etc.

This will be absolutely horrendous by the way.

There's a lot of doom and gloom in this thread, I've used the services a few times during loop closures, and it's really not that bad.

 

[jamesst]

I appreciate the full details (which I was aware off), but it doesn't take away the fact that for passengers using both the New Brighton and West Kirby lines the daytime service is being reduced by 50% when there are considerable delays being caused due to the engineering works.

I can't understand why they wont run a replacement bus every 15 minutes from Birkenhead North ... the demand is there.

Also, less train crew will be working so what will happen to drivers and guards?

Not much else they can do if only 1 platform is available at James Street. The Chester line (much the busier) is maintaining a 15min service with Ellesmere Ports relegated to a Hooton/Ellesmere Port shuttle.

As for the West Kirby's/ New Brighton's a 30minute 6 car service on each line results in a combined 15minute service between Birkenhead North and Liverpool. When trains are turning back at Birkenhead North there will be a frequent (at least every 15min service) all stations bus service and a frequent limited stop bus service, more than adequate between Birkenhead and Liverpool.

As for the 30min frequency between Birkenhead North and West Kirby/New Brighton this maintains the same times throughout phase 1,2&3 rather than 3 separate timetable changes.

Unit mileage also has to be considered when setting frequencies due to heavily restricted opportunities during the work to get units to and from Birkenhead North depot for exams and maintenance.

As for train crew, temporary rosters, annual leave and training days will take care of any excess staff.