Councillor 'fuming' as The Open hits Cressington rail services
A Liverpool councillor is protesting a reduction in rail services at Cressington station caused by the 154th Open golf championship. The service cuts are necessary to accommodate longer trains required for the event, causing friction between local residents and event organizers.
Why it matters
The story illustrates the tension between hosting major international events and maintaining essential infrastructure for local communities.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Claire Hamilton Political Reporter Merseyside BBC/Claire Hamilton Councillor Richard Clein is "fuming" A Liverpool councillor is "fuming" after being told rail services will be reduced at a station in his ward due to The Open golf championship.
The 154th Open takes place at Royal Birkdale this week, with thousands of spectators expected to attend.
The demand for extra capacity on the Merseyrail network means larger, eight-car trains will be deployed - but these cannot stop at Cressington, 30 miles (about 50km) away, due to a shorter platform, meaning services will be cut from every 15 minutes to every 40 minutes.
Councillor Richard Clein said people in his ward deserved a "full rail service". Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram described the situation as "a mess", while Merseyrail said an "event timetable" was the safest and most practical way to maintain services for local passengers.
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