Misery levels set to go off the rails for commuters with more work planned

Commuters could face a further period of disruption to accommodate Merseyrail’s new fleet of trains – because some station platforms may have to be lengthened.

Services were already disrupted earlier this year when some stations had to be closed so that platforms could be made higher and wider to reduce the gap when accessing the trains.

Bus replacement services were introduced while the work took place.

Merseyrail has revealed that some station platforms, including Southport, will also need to be lengthened because they are too short for the new trains.

It is understood the problems would occur when the trains are formed as eight-car sets, as the posi- tion of points at certain stations, including Liverpool Central and Southport, assumes only six- car sets.