Train strikes: Rail service chaos as managers plan walkouts this weekend – check full timetables
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Rail passengers have been warned to expect a weekend of travel chaos ahead of a major strike and planned engineering works. Staff from Avanti West Coast belonging to the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will begin a series of walkouts this Sunday in a dispute over rest day working. Avanti, who operate services connecting major cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, have urged its customers to travel either side of January 12.
The walkout marks the start of strike action every Sunday until May 25. A reduced train timetable will be in place on the strike days, with fewer services running during limited operating hours. On Sunday, Avanti West Coast will run one train an hour between London Euston and each of Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. A limited service will operate between Glasgow and Carlisle. Trains which will run are expected to be busy.
In addition, rail replacement buses will run between Carlisle and Preston due to planned engineering work. These trains will operate during limited hours, with the first train of the day departing Euston after 8am and the last train of the day from Euston departing before 5pm. The significantly reduced timetable will mean North Wales, Blackpool and Edinburgh, Stoke-on-Trent and Macclesfield will have no Avanti West Coast services.
Lancaster and destinations in the Lake District, including Oxenholme and Penrith, will not be served by Avanti West Coast on January 12 due to planned engineering work. Avanti said customers who do travel should plan ahead, expect disruption, and check the details of their last train home. Planned engineering works are also taking place on most Sundays between now and May, meaning timetables for each strike date may vary and take longer to be finalised.
