Merseyrail services could be disrupted by strike action during The Open weekend
Merseyrail is warning passengers that services could be severely disrupted between Saturday 18 July and Monday 20 July 2026 due to planned strike action by members of the RMT union.
The action forms part of an ongoing dispute over the rail operator’s 2026 pay award and involves RMT-represented station retailers, station assistants, train managers, revenue protection officers, control centre staff, cleaners and some head office employees.
Union members are currently voting on a revised pay offer from Merseyrail, with the ballot due to close at midday on Friday 17 July. The result will determine whether the industrial action goes ahead.
After an initial 4% pay increase was rejected, Merseyrail submitted an improved offer worth 7.25% over two years, backdated to January 2026.
Should the strike proceed, Merseyrail says it will only be able to operate a very limited train service.
With The Open taking place at Royal Birkdale and thousands of visitors expected to travel by rail, services on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July will be prioritised to support the championship.
A 15-minute service will operate on the Southport line, calling only at:
- Liverpool Central
- Blundellsands and Crosby
- Hillside, for Royal Birkdale
- Southport
Services will run between 9am and 9pm, although there will be a break in the service during the middle of the day.
No trains will operate on any other part of the Merseyrail network on Saturday or Sunday.
On Monday 20 July, Merseyrail plans to operate a limited service across the wider network between 10am and approximately 7pm, again with a break during the middle of the day.
Full timetable information will be published on the Merseyrail website and made available through its journey planner.
Passengers are advised to check travel information before starting their journeys and allow additional time.
Neil Grabham, Managing Director, Merseyrail, said:
“While strike action has been called, our hope is that RMT members will support the revised offer currently being considered and that disruption to our customers and the wider Liverpool City Region can be avoided.”
“The Open Championship is one of the most important events in the region’s calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and generating significant benefits for local businesses, communities and the tourism economy.”
“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.”
