Train operator Northern has issued a 'do not travel' plea to passengers ahead of more planned rail strikes, with ALL trains set to be cancelled over the course of a day. Industrial action will be taken by members of the RMT and ASLEF unions next week, with Northern saying the warning covers Thursday, September 15 and Saturday 17 as a result.
Northern revealed it would not be able to run ANY trains on the Thursday, September 15, and would only provide a 'skeleton timetable' on Saturday 17.
September 15 marks the opening of the annual Manchester Food and Drink Festival, with events planned throughout the day.
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It highlighted just six services that are expected to run on the Saturday, hourly between 7.30am and 6.30pm. They are:
Leeds to Sheffield via Wakefield Westgate (stopping service)
Leeds to York via Micklefield (stopping service)
Leeds to Bradford Forster Square
Leeds to Skipton
Leeds to Ilkley
Liverpool to Alderley Edge via Chat Moss, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
In addition to the warning on strike dates, Northern has also advising passengers they should expect 'significant disruption on the morning after strike days' - Friday 16 and Sunday 18 - as 'fleet displacement' means services will not start until much later in the morning, after the usual rush-hour peak.
Passengers are being urged to check Northern's website.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer, said: "This is the fourth 'do not travel' notice we have been forced to issue this summer due to strike action by the trade unions.
"On previous strike dates, we've always done everything we can to offer a skeleton service - but due to a combination of factors this time around, we have no option but to suspend operations altogether on Thursday 15th September. Even with the skeleton timetable on Saturday 17th, our advice remains do not travel.
"We apologise in advance for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by the RMT and ASLEF unions will cause to our customers.
"As we have previously pledged, we will continue to work towards a resolution to this issue with the hope of avoiding more disruptive strikes in the future."
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK and runs trains across Greater Manchester and the north west region. Ordinarily, nearly 2,000 services would run a day to more than 500 stations.
TSSA union members will also take strike action at Avanti West Coast on September 15 and 17, joining other rail unions taking action across the country.
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