** Updated Schedule ** Trains Back On For Three Queens

A national rail strike that had been planned for the bank holiday weekend has now been called off.

The RMT and TSSA unions have decided to postpone their industrial action following talks with National Rail.

It means Virgin Weast Coast trains will now be running as normal for the hundreds of thousands of people making their way to and from Merseyside for the Three Queens Event.

The rail company posted this statement on their website;

''Normal Service Reinstated for 25 and 26 May

The planned industrial action by members of the RMT and TSSA unions that work for track and infrastructure operator, Network Rail has been suspended.

As a result of this Virgin Trains will now be running its originally timetabled services on the West Coast Mainline on both Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 May.

This refers to Virgin Trains services on the West Coast, for Virgin Trains East Coast please click here.

Please note that the planned engineering work to be conducted by Network Rail between Saturday 23 and Monday 25 will go ahead as planned so customers travelling on these dates are still advised to check before they travel.''

Merseyrail will also be running a revised service as planned for the Three Queens event before the strike action was announced.

They've released the following statement;

''The potential strike action on 25-27 May has been postponed by union members working for Network Rail. Merseyrail services will run as planned over the bank holiday weekend. Please be aware that a revised timetable is still in place for the Three Queens event.''

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, said:

“Without a doubt it’s going to be exceptionally busy on both sides of the river and our transport network will be put under a great deal of pressure and we want visitors to plan their journeys as much as possible.

“For more than a year we’ve been working with transport partners and Merseyside Police to make sure the city rises to the challenge for what could be one of the busiest weekend’s the region has experienced.

“I have no doubt that Liverpool will shine under the international spotlight and this will be an unforgettable moment in the city’s history for all the right reasons.”

Said Liz Chandler, Merseytravel’s director of Corporate Development and Chair of the Major Events Transport Board:

“The focus can now rightly be back on the event, rather than transport. It will be a showcase event making maritime history.

“For many months, and in the immediate run up to the event, a whole host of organisations have been working together to make the transport offer fit for the event. We’re now asking visitors to play their part by planning their journeys, being prepared and being patient and leaving plenty of time to get where they want to go.”

Cunard Director Angus Struthers said:

“‘It’s a great relief to know that the rail strike is suspended and that the crowds who we know are looking forward to seeing the Three Queens in Liverpool on Bank Holiday Monday can now make their travel plans with confidence. “The Three Queens event involves the biggest ships ever to manoeuvre together on the Mersey performing a ‘river dance’ in front of the Three Graces, on Liverpool’s historic waterfront, to celebrate Cunard’s 175th anniversary year. “It’s promising to be the biggest event on the Mersey for decades and we are delighted to know that the many people who feel a connection with Cunard will be able to travel in and out of Liverpool without disruption on the day. We are looking forward to weIcoming the Three Queens into our spiritual home in just a few days. The fleet is not only coming – it will very soon be here!”

Saturday 23rd May: a normal service will run on all lines

Sunday 24th May: all Merseyrail services will start one hour earlier, ahead of the arrival of the Queen Mary

Monday 25th May: to ensure crowds are managed safely and passengers have an enjoyable travel experience, access to city centre stations will be restricted at key times:

• From 1pm, no Northern line trains will stop at Liverpool Central station. Northern line passengers are advised to use Moorfields station - James Street station will close at 1pm. Wirral line passengers should use Liverpool Central or Lime Street low level station - The Wirral line platform at Moorfields station will remain closed for refurbishment during

Also:

Northern Line

• All trains will run every 20 minutes from the start to the end of service on every route

Wirral Line

• Between 7am and 7pm, there will be six trains per hour to and from New Brighton - From 8am till 6.30pm, trains to and from Chester will run every 15 minutes - Trains for West Kirby will run every 15 minutes from 6.51am till 6.36pm - A rail replacement bus will run between Ellesmere Port and Hooton from 8am till 7pm. This will allow six-car trains to cover parts of the network where large crowds are expected. Before 8am and after 7pm, there will be a normal service.

You can find details of Merseyrail's revised service here.

Make sure you don't miss a thing - find out what's happening and where this weekend on our guide here.