Merseyrail services resume after two-week disruption

The operator said maintenance teams had "worked around the clock" to restore services

Merseyrail services are to resume after wheel-bearing faults in dozens of trains caused two weeks of disruption.

The entire network was hit after 28 trains were affected and had to be taken away for repairs.

Merseyrail said maintenance teams had "worked around the clock" to restore its regular services from Monday.

Managing director Andy Heath apologised to passengers and said the operator was working with rail experts to establish the root cause of the issue.

Trains on the Ormskirk, Kirkby, Chester, New Brighton and West Kirby lines will resume with services every 15 minutes between 07:00 and 19:00 BST.

After 19:00 the trains move to a 30-minute service.

'Truly sorry'

Between Southport and Hunts Cross, trains will run every 15 minutes from the start to the end of service.

A 30-minute service will continue to run on the Ellesmere Port line.

Merseyrail said trains will have three cars until others are repaired and introduced on the busiest lines.

Mr Heath said he was "truly sorry for the disruption" but added he was pleased to "step timetables back up with confidence".

However, the operator warned there would be significant impact on services when national strikes are expected to take place on 21, 23 and 25 June.

Liverpool City Region's mayor Steve Rotheram previously said an investigation would be launched.

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