ScotRail is warning customers of significant disruption due to tomorrow’s RMT Network Rail strike action.
Strikes are being held on tomorrow as well as Thursday, August 18 and Saturday, August 20, meaning a very limited number of services will operate.
This will effect people in West Lothian as there will only be two trains running between Edinburgh and Bathgate on these days as well as only two trains through Linlithgow on the Glasgow via Falkirk High route.
Disruption to ScotRail services will not be confined to the days of strike action themselves but will also affect the day before and the days following them.
Today, there will be a small number of trains cancelled. This is to allow trains to be moved into the right position, as on most routes, trains cannot be moved again until 7.15am on Thursday.. By taking action on the Tuesday evening, it will help to ensure that as many passenger trains can operate on Thursday morning.
For the routes on which we will operate a service, customers should only travel if they really need to and should consider alternative options where possible.
The RMT union announced three days of strike action across the Great Britain railway network resulting from a pay dispute with Network Rail.
This dispute does not involve ScotRail staff, however, it will have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services as the RMT planned action will involve Network Rail staff in Scotland.
Many of the Network Rail staff that are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy safety-critical roles and, as such, it will not be possible for ScotRail to run the vast majority of services.
David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:
“It is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know this will be frustrating for ScotRail customers.
“Regrettably, this strike action by RMT members of Network Rail means that we will not be able to operate the vast majority of our services during the period of strike action. Customers should expect significant disruption to services on strike days, as well as the following day.
“On the five routes where we are able to operate a very limited service on strike days, we’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to.”
Customers are advised to check the ScotRail app or visit scotrail.co.uk for the latest information before travelling.
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