CULTURE vultures hoping to enjoy the opening weeks of Liverpool 08 have had their plans derailed.

It is just weeks into the Capital of Culture celebrations and engineering work on the Chester to Liverpool railway has left commuters facing a lengthy journey.

The journey, which normally takes about 45 minutes, now takes at least 73 minutes and travellers could have to make as many as three changes.

Media relations manager Keith Lumley said: “The work started on January 19 and will continue until Monday. The work is happening between Chester and Hooton, then there are buses between Hooton and Birkenhead or Rock Ferry then trains from there.

“One of the reasons we are doing it now is because the Capital of Culture hasn’t really kicked off.

“And at this time of year we’re not expecting hordes of people into the city centre.

“The Capital of Culture year is exactly that, it goes on for a year, and we can’t suspend the work all year.

“It’s just unfortunate and we’re doing it as quickly as we can.”

Despite the delays, interest in Liverpool 08 is growing – programmes for the festival are selling well at Marks & Spencer in Foregate Street.

Two events held during the engineering work period are The Number One Project, a music-based charity event, celebrating the city’s 56 number one singles, which was on January 19, and the Echo Arena is hosting Supercross tonight and tomorrow.