A rail replacement bus service is in operation on two Merseyrail lines this morning
06:29, 31 Jul 2025Updated 07:19, 31 Jul 2025
Trains on two Merseyrail lines have been suspended this morning, July 31, due to an operational incident at Birkenhead North(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Merseyrail has suspended some services on the Wirral line this morning, July 31, due to an “operational incident”. Trains on the West Kirby and New Brighton line are currently not running due to an incident at Birkenhead North.
A rail replacement bus service is running between New Brighton station and Hamilton Square, and between West Kirby and Hamilton Square. Rail tickets are being accepted on all Wirral Arriva services, and West Kirby line users will also have their tickets accepted on Stagecoach’s 38 Bus.
According to Network rail, an issue at the depot at Birkenhead North has damaged the power supply to the main line.
Posting to X, the rail operator said: “Passengers are advised to check @merseyrail for travel updates while we fix it which will take a few hours. We’re sorry for the delay this morning.”
Services on the Ellesmere Port and Chester line are also facing disruption, with a number of services facing cancellations and alterations.
A number of services on the Chester line have been cancelled, including the 7:52 Chester to Liverpool Central, the 8:37 Liverpool central to Chester, the 9:31 to Liverpool Central and the 10.14 Liverpool Central to Chester.
The 7.31 Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Central service will now depart from Rock Ferry 7:59.
Disruption is expected to last on both lines until around 10am..
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