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Plans to run trains into Lime Street during major upgrade this summer revealed

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Some train services will run in and out of Lime Street station for over four weeks of this summer’s upgrade works, being carried out between 2 June and 29 July, as every effort is made to keep passengers moving while the station is transformed.

Some train services will run in and out of Lime Street station for over four weeks of this summer’s upgrade works, being carried out between 2 June and 29 July, as every effort is made to keep passengers moving while the station is transformed.

As with previous line closures for upgrades, the majority of services will start and terminate at Liverpool South Parkway so passengers can travel into the centre of Liverpool on the Merseyrail network – for journeys to/from London, Birmingham and Manchester Piccadilly to name a few.

However, passengers from Preston, Wigan, St Helens and Manchester Victoria will be able to travel in and out of Lime Street station between 11 June and 12 July. When Preston, Wigan, St Helens and Manchester Victoria services can’t access Lime Street, high quality rail replacement buses will run every 10 minutes between Huyton and the city centre.

Lime Street’s transformation is a key part of the £340m railway investment in the Liverpool City Region, which sits within the Great North Rail Project.

Vital upgrades to platforms and signalling will enable an extra three services per hour in and out of Lime Street station, including new direct services to Scotland from 2019. Longer, better managed platforms will accommodate longer trains, helping to provide more space and seats for passengers.

Rail Minister Jo Johnson said: “We are investing in the most significant modernisation of the UK rail network since Victorian times, providing faster, more reliable trains and a greater number of services across the North.

“Liverpool Lime Street is one of the best examples of the great Victorian railway stations and stands as a testament to the engineers, architects and builders of the era. Essential upgrade work must be carried out over the summer so that we can keep passengers moving through this historic station. This is just part of our ambitious Great North Rail Project, which will also see all of Northern and TransPennine Express trains being new or refurbished by 2020.

“I am grateful for the patience of passengers while this work is completed.”

Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s London North Western route managing director, said: “We’ve been working with our colleagues across the industry for the past two years to build a solid plan to keep passengers moving during our major transformation of Lime Street station.

“Our main aim has been to keep passengers on trains where possible. Running trains in and out of the station for over four weeks during the upgrade, while work continues, is testament to our vow keep Liverpool open for business.

“Once complete in October this year, passengers will be able to enjoy a newly remodelled concourse, with new, longer, more spacious platforms with more room for passengers. This is a vital part of our Great North Rail project to transform train travel across the North.”

Sharon Keith, Northern’s regional director, said: “The transformation of Liverpool Lime Street will help to significantly improve journeys for our customers and will complement our own modernisation plans. We can’t wait to see our brand new trains pulling into the upgraded platforms at Lime Street.

“In the meantime, we have been working in partnership with colleagues across the rail industry to provide the best possible service for customers whilst the upgrade work takes place.”

Frank Rogers, chief executive at Merseytravel, said: “2018 is set to be a landmark year for transport projects in the Liverpool City Region; by 2043 passenger numbers travelling at peak times through the station will more than double – this work is vital if we are to future proof rail services in and around the region for generations to come.

“As the upgrade gets nearer we encourage passengers to plan ahead and check operators websites before they travel, including those passengers who use Merseyrail services which stop at the lower level of Lime Street, to understand how their journeys may be different during these essential works.”

Passengers as far afield as London, Birmingham, Preston, Leeds and Newcastle will be impacted by the upgrade works. Passengers are also reminded that work will take place on Sunday 8 April with no trains running in or out of Lime Street station.

Passengers are advised to check www.networkrail.co.uk/lcr for more information. In a small number of instances, passengers will not be able to book tickets until less than the usual 12 weeks before travel from 20 May. Passengers are advised to plan their journey ahead but also to check times closer to the day of travel. More information can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk/timetablechange.

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