Transport advice ahead of Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony in Liverpool

060523 Eurovision preparations in Liverpool
Thousands of Eurovision fans are expected in Liverpool. Credit: Network Rail

Train bosses have told anyone heading to Liverpool for Eurovision Song Contest events to plan their journey "carefully".

Network Rail says revellers wanting to enjoy the spectacle should also allow extra time for travel and to come to the city with as few belongings as possible.

They say the contest could present a "very challenging situation" for travellers.

The warning comes as Merseyrail announced extra services on the evening of Sunday 7 May, to coincide with the Big Eurovision Welcome, and Saturday 13 May, the day of the competition's grand final.

Services are also expected to be busy this Tuesday, with the first semi-final of the competition, and on Thursday, with a second semi-final; no extra trams for these days on the Merseyrail have been announced, but, across the week, some stations may be shut to prevent overcrowding during busy periods.

Kyla Thomas, Network Rail Liverpool Lime Street station manager, said: “You can feel the excitement really building in the city with Eurovision almost upon us, and we have good plans in place to make people’s journeys through Lime Street station as smooth as possible.

“On the opening night this Sunday I’d urge people to plan their route home carefully, allow extra time for journeys, and not rely on the last trains as they will be extremely busy.”

People are urged to plan their journey to Liverpool. Credit: Network Rail

Chris Jackson, Northern regional director, added: “We know the network is going to be extremely busy over the course of the Eurovision event – particularly so this Sunday, where demand is likely to outstrip capacity.

"Anyone planning to travel in or out of Liverpool Lime Street should allow extra time for their journey and have a Plan B in mind.

“We will have extra staff on duty – but customers should be aware that it is likely to be a very challenging situation.”

One of Merseyrail’s distinctive Eurovision-branded trains. Credit: Merseyrail

A Sunday timetable will run every 30-minutes on Merseyrail’s Northern and Wirral lines, with extra late-night services to help people get home after the event.

Liverpool Lime Street Low Level station will be closed all day due to its vicinity to the event.

After 8pm, James Street station will be closed and passengers travelling from Liverpool to Wirral should use Liverpool Central station only.

Those using the Northern line after 8pm should go to Moorfields station.

The late night trains will run into the early hours of Monday (8 May) calling at all stations.

Liverpool City Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have joined forces to give free access to a minimum of 1,000 vehicles at the Stanley Park car park, next to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium.

The surface-level car park, which will be accessed from Priory Road, opposite Anfield cemetery, will open at 12 noon with buses taking concert goers on a 15-minute journey from Arkles Lane, to Queen Square bus station.

And bus firm Arriva North West said it's running a increased service of its 500 between Liverpool city centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Liverpool City Council says Lime Street is closed to traffic until 6pm (Sunday 7 May) so they can get ready for the Opening Ceremony. Access via Islington, London Road, Lord Nelson Street, Skelhorne Street, St Johns Lane, Elliot Street and William Brown Street is shut until then.