A REDUCED timetable will be running on Merseyrail services between Chester, Ellesmere Port and Liverpool next week due to the impact of Covid-19's latest wave of cases.

The rail operator confirmed on Wednesday, December 22 that several of its trains which would otherwise have been running will now be cancelled until further notice.

It said: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of Covid-19 and other sickness affecting staff availability, some trains will be cancelled on the Southport, Hunts Cross, Chester and Ellesmere Port lines from December 27 until further notice.

"We do try to avoid reducing services whenever possible and apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

"By giving prior notice of cancellations we hope that it provides passengers with time to make changes to their train journey plans if needed and it reduces the risk of last-minute cancellations and delays."

A reduced service will be running on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and January 2 as planned.

The trains which will not be running from next week are:

  • 7.25am Ellesmere Port-Liverpool Central
  • 7.55am Ellesmere Port-Liverpool Central
  • 10.30am Chester-Liverpool Central
  • 12.15pm Chester-Liverpool Central
  • 9.41am Birkenhead Central-Chester
  • 11.13am Moorfields-Chester
  • 4.03pm Moorfields-Hooton
  • 4.33pm Moorfields-Ellesmere Port
  • 5.03pm Moorfields-Ellesmere Port.

Previously, Transport for Wales, which runs Chester railway station, confirmed it was running a reduced timetable due to staff absences caused by the latest Covid outbreak.

The Omicron wave is expected to cause significant disruption as experts say it is more easily transmissible than existing Covid variants, with cases hitting record levels in the UK.