Important info for fans attending Liverpool v City

The Giant Spectacular will return this weekend and a number of significant road closures are planned. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join the event, placing a significant increase in demand on public transport services during the four days.

Merseyrail will be running a special event timetable across the weekend, including a limited stop service, and as a result Sandhills station will not be in use for fans travelling to Anfield.

The Soccerbus, which usually runs from Sandhills to Anfield, will also be out of service on Sunday.

Fans are asked to be aware of the following travel information, to plan ahead, check timetables and allow plenty of time to complete journeys as services will be very busy.

For the latest information about services, supporters should check with the relevant transport operator in the run up to and on the day of travel. Information is also available online and via social media.

There will be extra staff from a variety of transport providers deployed at key locations during the event to provide information and support people with their journeys.

Fans travelling by car should avoid Liverpool city centre wherever possible – a full list of road closures can be found here.

Key information

Merseyrail

There will be changes to services on Friday October 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7.

A special events timetable will run and passengers are encouraged to visit the Merseyrail website or pick up a leaflet from any staffed station.

The following applies to all three days.

• Trains will not stop at all stations, to allow for additional and more frequent services
• James Street and Lime Street lower level (underground) will be closed to aid crowd control and movement
• Wirral line services will start and end at Liverpool Central station and will not be stopping at Moorfields
• Northern line passengers travelling to the city centre should use Moorfields as trains will not be stopping at Liverpool Central

Northern train services

There is a strike on Northern rail services on Saturday October 6. Passengers are advised to check with Northern for the most up-to-date information on all four days.

Mainline and City Line services

Trains will be running but check with operators for the most up-to-date information.

Lime Street station

The station will be incredibly busy during the event, there will be crowd control measures in place, and queues will be likely. This will ensure that Network Rail and train operators can keep passengers moving safely.

Sandhills station/Soccerbus

Due to the limited stop service on the Merseyrail network, Sandhills station will not be open for the Soccerbus.

Passengers travelling to Anfield during the Giants event are advised to take the train to Moorfields or Liverpool Central stations and change on to one of the commercial bus services that run to Anfield. Further information can be found at merseyrail.org/giants or details of bus services can be found on the Merseytravel and bus operator websites.

By bus

Buses will be running but there will be diversions to routes due to road closures and services may be subject to delays – especially in and around Liverpool city centre.

Queen Square and Liverpool ONE bus stations will be closed for some periods during the event, with alternative drop-off and pick-up points notified in advance.

Fans can catch the 917 express bus service which runs direct from Liverpool city centre (St John's Lane) to Anfield. However, it will be subject to diversions and potential delays on Sunday. There is a discounted ticket price of £4 return on the 917 express bus service, with fans receiving a discount on soft drinks at LFC kiosks within the stadium on presentation of their return ticket.

Mersey Ferries

On Saturday October 6 and Sunday 7, River Cruise Explorer services will be suspended to allow for two shuttle services to run about every 20 minutes - one between Woodside and the Pier Head (9.30am to 6.40pm) and one between Seacombe and the Pier Head (9.20am to 6.50pm). Commuter ticket prices will apply.

Mersey Tunnels

The Wallasey (Kingsway) Tunnel will be open as usual. There are planned closures at the Birkenhead (Queensway) Tunnel which will see the closure of the Liverpool Dock branch exit during some periods. See the Merseytravel website for more details.

Key advice

• Plan ahead
• Check timetables – before and on your day of travel, be prepared for some changes to services leading up to the event. Use journey planners
• Leave plenty of time for journeys as services may take longer than usual
• Be patient as services will be extremely busy, expect queues
• Consider buying your tickets in advance to avoid queues on the day

Useful links

If you're travelling within the Liverpool City Region, you can use the Merseytravel journey planner to see your travel options, including rail and bus.

Merseytravel
@merseytravel
Merseytravel.gov.uk

Mersey Ferries
@merseyferries
Merseyferries.co.uk

Mersey Tunnels
@merseytravel
Merseytunnels.co.uk

Merseyrail
@merseyrail
Merseyrail.org

Arriva
@arrivanorthwest
Arrivabus.co.uk

Stagecoach
@stagecoachMCSL
Stagecoachbus.co.uk

Northern rail
@northernassist
Northernrailway.co.uk

Fans can also follow Giant Spectacular on social media for transport updates.

@giantspectacle – Twitter
Giant Spectacle – Facebook
Giantspectacular – Instagram