All Merseyrail lines are disrupted this morning and national rail services have been cancelled as Storm Boleo hits the north west. Today's yellow weather warning is currently in place until 9pm today with rain and heavy winds forecast.
Fallen trees cause line suspensions
Services on the Chester and Ellesmere Port line have been disrupted due to a tree blocking the line at Bebington. Another fallen tree at Hoylake has led to the suspension of all services between Birkenhead North and West Kirby.
A rail replacement bus service is in operation between Birkenhead North and West Kirby until further notice. A further rail replacement bus service is in operation between Birkenhead North and Moorfields.
Further disruptions on other lines
Merseyrail has also warned that trains may be changed or cancelled due to "poor weather conditions" on the New Brighton, Southport and Ormskirk lines.
Meanwhile, due to signalling problems at Fazakerley, the Headbolt Lane line is disrupted. Train services to and from Headbolt Lane will be cancelled between Headbolt Lane and Rice Lane. Train services are operating between Rice Lane and Sandhills, with a rail replacement bus service in place between Sandhills and Moorfields.
Rail replacement buses are in operation between Headbolt Lane and Walton (which is a short walk from Rice Lane) in both directions. Passengers can use their train tickets at no extra cost on Stagecoach bus services 20 and 21 until further notice. Services on the Hunts Cross line are already suspended due to ongoing engineering works.
National rail and wider travel impact
In terms of national rail, TransPennine Express has urged customers not to travel between Liverpool and Manchester, with only a limited rail replacement bus in operation, due to a tree blocking the railway between Piccadilly and Lime Street.
In a statement on X, the rail operator said: "We are strongly advising customers not to travel between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly/Manchester Victoria in both directions."
"Rail Replacement transport has been requested to run between Manchester and Liverpool but due to the severe weather is very limited. Please be advised that other operators may also be affected by this disruption."
There are dozens of cancellations at Lime Street. National Rail said: "Severe weather associated with Storm Boelo may disrupt your journey. Check before you travel."
Elsewhere, there are also flight cancellations at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, while Park Lane in Liverpool city centre is currently blocked due to an unsafe building.
The Met Office weather warning said: "Strong winds will spread across northern parts of the UK during Saturday afternoon, combining with spells of heavy rain."
"Initially strong southerly winds will affect parts of Scotland before more widespread and even stronger westerly winds develop later on Saturday."
"Very windy conditions will then persist overnight and through much of Sunday before gradually easing from the southwest later. Gusts of 55-65 mph are likely widely with some coastal and exposed areas potentially seeing gusts of 70-80 mph or more, these strongest gusts most likely across Scotland and the far north of England."
