Merseyrail Undertakes £3.5m Tunnel Repairs to Prevent Service Disruptions

Engineers are currently engaged in a £3.5 million project beneath Liverpool to waterproof Victorian railway tunnels, which is expected to enhance the reliability of Merseyrail services.

This initiative has led to the closure of part of the Northern Line for nearly four weeks, focusing on preventing water from damaging the electrified rail network. Inside St James Tunnel, engineers are drilling into the brick roof and injecting resin to create a waterproof barrier, which will redirect water away from the tracks.

According to Network Rail's Helen Little, the tunnels, which are over a century old, have developed wet patches that could lead to electrical faults if water reaches the third rail. The waterproofing is part of broader improvements to four tunnels on the Northern Line, which also includes the installation of new electrical equipment to facilitate quicker repairs and minimize passenger disruption. The project commenced on October 11 and is expected to conclude by November 6, with normal services resuming on November 7.