WIRRAL train passengers face a complete shutdown of services this weekend if planned strikes go ahead, as "contingency plans" are made ahead of The Open Championship.
Merseyrail will operate a limited 15-minute service exclusively on the Southport line to help transport thousands of golf spectators to and from Royal Birkdale, after the RMT announced plans for a three-day walkout.
Fans in Wirral will need to get over the water by other means before boarding trains to Birkdale, with services calling at Liverpool Central, Blundellsands & Crosby, Hillside (for Royal Birkdale) and Southport.
Services will run on the Southport line between 09:00 – 21:00, with a break in service during the middle of the day. No services will operate elsewhere on the network.
The RMT union plans to strike between Saturday, July 18 and Monday, July 20, amid an ongoing dispute over a 2026 pay award. No trains will run on the Wirral line on Saturday and Sunday if the action proceeds.
Union members are currently voting on an improved pay offer of 7.25% over two years, which was tabled after an initial 4% increase was rejected. The ballot closes at midday on Friday, July 17.
Should the strike continue into Monday, July 20, Merseyrail plans to reinstate a limited service across the wider network. Trains would run from 10am until 7pm, with a scheduled break in service during the middle of the day.
Neil Grabham, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said he hopes RMT members will accept the revised offer to avoid disrupting the wider Liverpool City Region during a crucial weekend.
He said: "While strike action has been called, our hope is that RMT members will support the revised offer currently being considered and that disruption to our customers and the wider Liverpool City Region can be avoided."
"The Open Championship is one of the most important events in the region’s calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and generating significant benefits for local businesses, communities and the tourism economy."
"Our teams are working hard to put contingency plans in place and, given the exceptional importance of The Open, we will prioritise a limited service between Liverpool and Southport to help spectators travel to and from Royal Birkdale.
"However, there will be significant disruption, and no services will operate across large parts of our network."
"We have made an improved pay offer worth 7.25% over two years, backdated to January 2026, and remain committed to working with the unions to reach a resolution.
"With members currently voting on that offer, I very much hope we can avoid disruption and continue to provide the service our customers expect during such an important weekend for the city region."
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