Wirral braced for transport chaos on day of public sector strike action

Nov 30 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

UNIONS made a last-ditch appeal for support as Wirral braced itself for transport chaos during today’s public sector strikes.

Nearly all the borough’s schools, leisure centres, libraries, museums and council buildings were set to close as workers walked out in a row over pensions.

With both Mersey tunnels due to shut and ferry services cancelled, cross-river commuters faced having to make the trip to Liverpool via the Runcorn bridge or on Merseyrail trains, which were expected to run normally.

Cross-river bus services were due to stop at Hamilton Square in Birkenhead and Merseyrail said it would accept cross-river bus, Solo and ferry tickets on the day.

Passengers were urged to spread their journeys and avoid rush hour wherever possible to prevent severe overcrowding on trains.

Wirral Council said it was expecting the strikes to have a “significant impact” – although services delivered by private contractors such as bin collections and highway maintenance were not expected to be affected.

Hospital chiefs cancelled some surgery and clinics at Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge Hospitals.