Merseyrail are preparing to operate a limited service ahead of fresh strike action.
Last week RMT members voted to stage industrial action as part of a pay dispute which will be taking place across 48 hours from midnight on Saturday (July 18).
The walkout is set to cause widespread disruption across the region’s rail network as golf fans head to Royal Birkdale for the 154th edition of The Open this weekend.
Staff are currently voting on a revised offer from Merseyrail for which the ballot is set to close at midday on Friday (July 17) in a last-minute attempt to call off the strike.
An initial offer of a 4% pay increase for 2026 has already been rejected but the improved proposal will see workers’ wages increase by 7.25% over two years.
Should it still go ahead, transport chiefs have hatched a contingency plan that will see trains only operating on the part of the network serving the golf tournament.
A 15-minute service will operate exclusively on the Southport line to ensure fans are still able to attend the Open with a route from nearby Hillside to Liverpool Central.
Merseyrail staff are also set to operate a limited service across the network on Monday (July 20) from 10am until 7pm with a break in the middle of the day.
Neil Grabham, Merseyrail’s managing director, said: “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.”