RAIL passengers travelling to, from or through Yorkshire should plan ahead and only travel by train if “absolutely necessary” this Thursday (August 18) and Saturday (August 20).

With rail unions calling national industrial action, train services will be limited and will only run between 7.30am and 6.30pm, according to Network Rail.

Thousands of specially trained and fully qualified back-up staff will step in during the walkout - which has been called by the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions - to keep vital services running.

But with around 10 per cent of services in operation across the region, and with some lines completely closed, passengers are asked to only travel by train if they must. 

Northern has implied there will be no services running from Bradford Interchange on the planned strike days.

But Bradford Forster Square, Skipton and Ilkley will all benefit from hourly services, while Leeds station will only be open between 7am and 7pm.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “We have done all that we can to retain some services in the region, however there will be a significant reduction in services operating in Yorkshire and the North East on Thursday and Saturday."