Everton FC have issued a travel warning to fans ahead of the Premier League home match against Chelsea on Saturday, October 17. The warning comes after Merseyrail confirmed that trains on the Hunts Cross line will be suspended for a month from this weekend.
All services running between Hunts Cross and Moorfields will cease operations on Sunday, October 11, and will not return until Saturday, November 7. The extended suspension is due to what Network Rail has described as "essential engineering work."
Club statement on travel disruption
In a statement shared on Everton FC's official website on October 7, the club provided a transport update for supporters. It said: "Everton supporters heading to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday 17 October (12.30pm BST) are advised of the following engineering works by Merseyrail."
The statement continued: "Travel plans could be disrupted due to work taking place on the Merseyrail network, which will entail replacement bus services operating between Hunts Cross and Moorfields (NB: there is no rail replacement bus stop by Liverpool Central)."
Details of the engineering project
Merseyrail said the £3.5m project will see engineers strengthen and waterproof four tunnels that bring Northern Line services into Liverpool from the south. The work is designed to prevent water entering the tunnels and affecting the 750V electrified third rail, helping to reduce the risk of power failures, emergency speed restrictions, and unplanned closures across the network.
As part of the project, new track feeder switches will also be installed, Merseyrail confirmed. These will allow engineers to remotely isolate smaller sections of the railway, enabling faster repairs and reducing disruption for passengers.
Service schedule and alternative routes
The works will begin on Sunday, October 11, and continue for four weeks, with services scheduled to return to normal on Saturday, November 7.
Train services will be running as usual between Southport and Liverpool Central, Ormskirk and Liverpool Central, and Headbolt Lane and Liverpool Central.
