Eurovision fans livid as Liverpool trains hit by engineering works on key show dates

Eurovision weekend travel could be hit as Network Rail announced engineering work that will affect routes to Liverpool – including the key dates of the finals

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of planned rail works (

Image: Howard Jones / i-Images)

Eurovision fans could find themselves swept up in rail chaos thanks to engineering works scheduled to take place over the big weekend.

Tickets to the popular competition are due to drop at noon today, meaning all eyes are on host city Liverpool.

Those who are lucky enough to bag themselves entry to the pop spectacular will then have to work out a whole lot of logistics, as Network Rail previously announced works on the line that connects London and Liverpool will take place between May 13 and 14 this year – the weekend Eurovision is taking place.

Although the engineering works were scheduled before Eurovision announced Liverpool would be its host city, that hasn’t stopped fans being left fuming at the planned works still going ahead over the weekend.

A mock-up of how the Eurovision arena may look (

Image:

PA)

“Literally knew this would happen,” wrote one disgruntled fan, while another branded the situation “ridiculous”.

However others pointed out that the impacted routes will mainly be from London, so there are alternatives for those who land tickets to the show.

“It’s really only affecting London according to that info. Most north of London eg MK will be fine. Alternatively routes can be Marylebone to Birmingham and on to Liverpool or King Cross to Sheffield and across,” one user wrote.

The engineering will impact the Avanti West Coast network, which runs from the capital to Liverpool and Manchester via Birmingham.

In a public announcement Network Rail said lines between London Euston and Birmingham New Street, Crewe, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, Carlisle, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh will be “affected”.

The message from Network Rail says “it is not yet known how Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway” will be affected by the engineering work and that passengers are advised to check before they travel.

Which trains will be impacted beyond this are not yet known, as the impact to services is not yet shown in the National Rail Inquiries Journey Planner.

It is not known how much of an impact the engineering works could have (

Image:

Getty Images)

It is hoped that the majority of the disruption will be felt on the Overground services in London, and that trains from the English capital to Liverpool will only experience minor delays.

The London to Liverpool routes are likely to be particularly busy, as many of the tens of thousands of Europeans who will travel to the UK for the event will arrive in airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused by our planned works.

“These works are integral for the maintenance of infrastructure to ensure safety for all of the passengers that use our network.”

Those determined to go by rail can take alternative routes to avoid the potential of disruption on the Avanti West Coast line, which has faced strong criticism over the past year due to the level of service provided.

From London, Liverpool can be reached by going from Marylebone to Birmingham and then up, or from Kings Cross to Sheffield and then across the country.

Some may chose to take an alternate route from London to Liverpool (

Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

Tickets for trains between the two cities are not yet available to buy for the Saturday and Sunday, but a return leaving Friday and getting back on Monday is currently on offer from £60 without a railcard.

Kitch-pop banger fans who are planning to make a base in Manchester over the weekend can bag themselves a bargain trip to Liverpool with National Express.

The coach company is running transfers from Manchester’s Chorlton Street coach station to the Liverpool One Bus Station from just £2.50.

Those planning a stay in the city may also find that budget-friendly options are nearly non-existent.

It was reported last year that Airbnbs and hotel rooms in the city sold out like hot cakes, with some holiday let landlords hiking the prices massively to make the most of the boosted demand.

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