[N]orthern is calling on all customers to plan their travel carefully this Saturday due to RMT strike action that will affect the Northern network.
The train operator will run around 850 services on Saturday to keep as many customers on the move as possible.
But, in some areas, train services will be not be available and Northern is asking customers to plan ahead and consider their travel options.
There will be no trains between Middlesbrough and Whitby and, sadly, due to the road network along the Esk Valley we are unable to run rail replacement coaches. Customers can still travel between Middlesbrough and Whitby and are advised to use local Arriva bus services to travel between the two destinations via Guisborough.
Similarly there will be no trains between Hull and York, no trains between Clitheroe and Blackburn and a very limited service between Leeds and Doncaster which will run between 8am and 3pm.
Sharon Keith, Regional Director for Northern, said: “As a result of the RMT strike action, we are running a limited timetable on Saturday.
“Many of our managers and other volunteers will be working hard at the end of a busy and demanding week to operate as contingency conductors on Saturday so that we can provide as many rail – or rail replacement bus – services as possible.
However, customers should be aware that we are running fewer trains than normal and all trains that we are able to run are likely to be extremely busy.
“To help customers we have arranged for Northern rail tickets to be accepted on all Arriva buses across the north of England and also on trains run by other operators.”
Sharon added: “We absolutely understand the frustration of customers and apologise for any disruption to their plans and journeys this weekend.
“The latest RMT strike action will not deter us from delivering our modernisation plans for customers – £500m of new trains which are currently under construction, better stations and more services by 2020.
“We have met with the RMT many times and remain prepared to guarantee jobs, current pay and annual pay reviews for our conductors if RMT ends its dispute.”
For full details of timetables for Saturday please visit northernrailway.co.uk/strike or National Rail Enquiries.
