RAIL industry leaders have vowed to banish shuttle bus replacement services from Liverpool’s mainline link with London Euston.

Maintenance group Network Rail and train operators’ body the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) have pledged to keep 20 key rail links open, including the Liverpool route to the capital.

They said that, by working smarter, using new engineering methods and technologies, they should be able to minimise engineering work at weekends and Bank Holidays on the key routes, doing away with the need for bus replacement services and bringing the industry’s vision of a “seven-day” rail service closer.

Network Rail said an example of working smarter is the improvements in replacing a set of points.

Traditionally it would take 54 hours, but this has now been reduced to less than 27 hours, with further reductions targeted.

The maintenance group and Atoc both pledged that only in exceptional circumstances will services be disrupted by engineering work.

The 20 key routes carry 60% of all weekend passengers. The commitment to improved links will be introduced over the next two years.

Network Rail chief executive Ian Coucher said: “Today’s punctual, reliable and safe railway has seen passengers flocking back.

“Their expectations for a decent service at weekends and at Bank Holidays have grown and we must respond.

“Keeping passengers on trains and off buses is our aim.

“We’re working towards that and today’s commitment sets us firmly on that path.”