Merseyrail Northern Line reopens after tunnel work

Merseyrail’s Northern Line has reopened after a 27-day closure while engineers strengthened and waterproofed four tunnels beneath Liverpool city centre. Trains began running between Hunts Cross and the city centre again on Saturday 7 November.

Network Rail said it invested £3.5m in the Victorian-built tunnels, which carry passengers beneath the city between Brunswick and Liverpool Central stations. The work was intended to limit water entering the structures and protect the third-rail equipment that powers trains.

More than 50 workers undertook the project from Sunday 11 October. They removed 92 square metres of old concrete before applying new material, drilled 6,500 holes for waterproofing injections and made another 115 holes to direct water towards drainage. In total, 1,688 square metres of tunnel wall was waterproofed.

Network Rail said the process involved injecting liquid resin into holes in the walls. Once set, the resin creates a barrier against water passing through the brickwork, while drainage holes guide water towards the track bed. The work is intended to help prevent moisture interfering with the third-rail system.

Alongside the tunnel project, power-control systems were modernised across the Northern and Wirral lines during four extended Sunday closures. The work forms part of a continuing programme to upgrade track feeder switches and their control rooms, which supply power to the third rail.

Network Rail said the improvements are intended to make it easier to isolate and switch off sections of electrified railway, helping engineers carry out maintenance and respond to unexpected faults. Further upgrades are planned across parts of the Merseyrail network during 2027. Network Rail said most work would take place when trains are not running; passengers would be informed in advance if disruptive closures are needed.

Paul Owen, Network Rail’s Liverpool area director, thanked passengers for their patience and said the tunnel improvements would help protect the power system. Stephen Dodd, Merseyrail’s chief operating officer, said the upgrades would strengthen the Northern Line’s long-term reliability and help reduce the risk of future disruption.

Cllr Steve Foulkes, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said reliable rail services connect people with work, education and leisure, and support economic growth. He also thanked passengers affected by the disruption.

Network Rail said the investment would support more reliable journeys for the millions of people who use Merseyrail each year. Liverpool Central recorded more than 14 million entries and exits during 2024/25.

Separately, track upgrades at Mossley Hill were scheduled to affect main-line journeys to and from Liverpool Lime Street on Sunday 8 November. That work is distinct from the completed Northern Line tunnel project.

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