NORTHERN has announced revised timetables for a three-day strike set to hit train passengers next week after talks between unions and train companies reached a deadlock.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will walk out on Monday 8, Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 January.

The train operator is planning to run about 1,350 services each day across the north of England, which it says will equate  to more than 50 per cent of its normal timetable.

But customers travelling in Bradford district are still set to face huge disruption.

On the Calderdale Line between Leeds, Bradford Interchange and Manchester Victoria, there will be 22 trains running from Bradford Interchange to Leeds and 21 services running from Bradford Interchange towards Halifax or Hebden Bridge.

On the Airedale line between Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Skipton, there will be 41 trains from Skipton in the direction of Bradford and 42 services between Leeds and Skipton.

The Wharfdale line between Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley will see 41 trains travelling from Ilkley to Leeds and 42 from Leeds to Ilkley.

But services will not stop at every station on these lines so passengers have been urged to check their route before travelling.

Some services will not run before 7am or after 7pm.

The industrial action has been called over a dispute about the role of guards and the introduction of driver-only-operated trains, which the RMT says will remove a "safety-critical" member of staff from many services.

The union said it would discuss solutions already established in Scotland and Wales but accused Arriva, the company which runs Northern, of refusing "point blank" to enter into serious negotiations.

General secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members are angry and frustrated that yet again a genuine opportunity to make progress in talks has been kicked into touch by the pig-headed and intransigent attitude of Arriva Rail North who simply want their staff to surrender to their demands to axe guards from half their trains regardless of the safety consequences.

"As a result of the Arriva Rail North attitude the action goes ahead in defence of rail safety, access and security and the public will understand that we are fighting in the interests of rail passengers across the region."

Richard Allan, Arriva Rail North's deputy managing director, said the company was committed to investing in new and updated trains, better stations and faster journeys.

He said: "During talks, Northern again offered to guarantee jobs and pay for conductors for the rest of our franchise to 2025 if we can reach agreement with RMT.

"The Government has also recently written to the union, guaranteeing employment for conductors beyond 2025 if RMT ends its dispute.

"Northern has asked RMT to hold a fresh ballot of conductors to give them a voice, 10 months after RMT started its strike action.

"Conductors at other train companies will get a fresh vote every six months because RMT's disputes at those companies started under new legislation.

"Northern is concentrating on running as many services as possible for customers on the next RMT strike days."

Customers experiencing delays of 30 minutes or more can claim compensation and people with season tickets who decide not to travel can also apply for a refund.

For information and timetables visit northernrailway.co.uk/strike.