Thousands of cyclists could be ‘stranded’ by rail repair works which will see Wirral train services cut off from Liverpool for six weeks next year.
Liverpool City Region Green Party CandidateTom Crone is now calling on train operators and travel organisations to “be bold and imaginative” providing help to those who combine train and bike to commute.
Massive rail works on the loop line which connects Wirral and Liverpool are set to begin early in the new year and will cause disruption for people travelling to and from Wirral as the trackbed under Liverpool city centre is upgraded.
The closures are needed so Network Rail can replace the track in the loop line. But Cllr Crone says thousands of commuter and leisure cyclists will be stranded when the works start in January.
Cllr Crone, who is aiming to become the Liverpool city region metro mayor in next May’s election, said: “Merseyrail state that cyclists should leave their bikes at home, unless they are needed to travel to a rail station and have said that the rail replacement busses cannot carry bikes.
“That just isn’t good enough; cyclists have got used to the idea of crossing the river for work and leisure and they should receive proper help in doing that when rail is not an option.
“Merseyrail need to be bold and imaginative here, looking at options such as bus trailers for road based solutions.”
Cllr Crone said he welcomed the improvements and investment into the rail network, but added: “We need to be sure that the right support is given to all commuters throughout this lengthy period, whether that is cyclists, or indeed people with accessibility needs who use the train regularly too.”
A spokeswoman for Merseyrail said the company is “committed to ensure that customers can continue travelling on our services as easily and conveniently as possible” during the works.
She said: “56 of our 66 stations have secure cycle facilities, which we advise people to make use of, particularly during phase 1 and 3 of the work, when Wirral services will terminate at Birkenhead North and Birkenhead Central.
“We appreciate that this project will mean significant disruption for Wirral line passengers, but together with partners Merseytravel and Network Rail, have worked hard over recent months to put in place robust alternative travel arrangements to ensure that people can get around as smoothly as possible while the work is being carried out.”