North West Routes Adapt After Police Incident
Police incident closes Rocket Junction, diverting multiple Liverpool bus routes
Police Incident Disrupts North West Bus Routes
Bus riders in Liverpool's Old Swan and Broadgreen areas face major delays and route changes today after a police incident closed the Rocket Junction on Queens Drive. Transit officials confirmed multiple services are being diverted around the closure, which began Wednesday morning. Specific details about the nature of the incident or expected duration weren't immediately available.
Context
The Rocket Junction serves as a critical connection point for several bus routes linking Liverpool's eastern neighborhoods to the city center. Police incidents requiring road closures typically force transit agencies to implement immediate diversions to maintain service continuity, though such changes often result in longer travel times and missed stops. Officials classified the disruption as medium severity. Transit agencies generally can't provide specific timelines for service restoration during active police operations, as clearance depends on law enforcement completing their work at the scene.
Key Details
Service 7 is being rerouted via Holt Road, Prescot Road, and East Prescot Road to avoid the closed junction, transit officials said. Services 61a, 81, and 81a are running over the flyover instead of their normal routes, with all slip road stops being skipped during the diversion. Officials didn't specify how many riders typically use the affected stops or how much additional travel time the diversions add. All bus services operating through Old Swan and Broadgreen are experiencing delays and some cancellations, according to the transit agency.
Timeline
The disruptions began Wednesday, January 22, 2026, though officials haven't said what time the incident started or when normal service might resume. Transit agencies typically restore regular routes as soon as police clear affected roadways, but a specific timeline for reopening the Rocket Junction wasn't available. The agency said it's monitoring the situation and will return services to normal routing once the area is accessible.
Rider Impact
Passengers traveling through Old Swan and Broadgreen should expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys, officials said. Riders who normally board at slip road stops on Services 61a, 81, and 81a will need to use alternative stops along the diversion routes. Moovit provides real-time updates on bus locations and delays for affected routes in the Liverpool area, helping riders plan around the ongoing disruptions.
