STRIKES by the RMT and ASLEF unions next week have forced the train operator Northern to advise its customers across the north to not travel on Thursday, September 15 and Saturday, September 17.

It will not be able to operate any services on the Thursday and can only provide a reduced timetable on the Saturday.

Services that can operate on the Saturday will run hourly between 7.30am and 6.30pm, they are:

  • Leeds to Sheffield via Wakefield Westgate (stopping service)
  • Leeds to York via Micklefield (stopping service)
  • Leeds to Bradford Forster Square
  • Leeds to Skipton
  • Leeds to Ilkley
  • Liverpool to Alderley Edge via Chat Moss, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport

In addition to the ‘Do Not Travel’ notice on strike dates, Northern is advising rail users they should also expect significant disruption on the morning after strike days (Friday 16 and Sunday 18 September) as fleet displacement will mean services will not start until much later in the morning, after the usual rush-hour peak.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “This is the fourth ‘Do Not Travel’ notice we have been forced to issue this summer due to strike action by the trade unions.

“On previous strike dates, we’ve always done everything we can to offer a skeleton service - but due to a combination of factors this time around, we have no option but to suspend operations altogether on the Thursday.

“We apologise for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by the RMT and ASLEF unions will cause to our customers.

“As we have previously pledged, we will continue to work towards a resolution to this issue with the hope of avoiding more disruptive strikes in the future.”