Golf fans stranded as Merseyrail on Open Sunday

Golf fans stranded as Merseyrail on Open Sunday

Golf fans are left stranded today as Merseyrail continue to cope with a 24 hour strike on the busiest golfing days of the year.

Tourists coming into Hillside have claimed they’re being treated like Aldi versions of sardines when they’re packed into busy carriages as they try to get to Royal Birkdale.

One golf nut, Brian Ellis, who was travelling up from Sussex, told OTS News this afternoon: “it’s ridiculous that we have to be packed together like this.

“We’re just no better than fish in a can right now and the heat is unbearable.

“You’d at least think they’d put air con on but having seen these trains I’m not sure they have them!”

Rail union RMT said it recognised “the severe impact” the strike would have but it had “no option but… to force the company back to the negotiating table”.

Merseyrail said there would be limited services across the region. A spokesperson said trains would still be able to get people to and from Royal Birkdale, where the championship has been held since Thursday. However, there will be no rail services across the rest of the Merseyrail network.

Merseyrail strike timetable RMT claims the driver-only-operated trains are unsafe and will lead to widespread job losses. The union’s general secretary, Mick Cash, said: “Merseyrail are completely ignoring the clear wishes of their own passengers, who overwhelmingly oppose the idea of driver-only-operated trains on their network.”

“Merseyrail have repeatedly kicked all conciliatory approaches by RMT negotiators back in our faces and made it crystal clear that all that they are interested in is the union signing a surrender document, which gives them a free hand to rip apart the safety culture on the railway,” he added.