Train strikes to cause travel chaos across region

Monklands residents are being warned of “significant disruption” to train services this week.

Strike action by RMT members of Network Rail will take place tomorrow and Saturday.

A number of local routes will be affected and Scotrail has warned customers to expect delays, and much earlier times for the last train on affected services.

It comes as the ongoing pay dispute led by the trade union rumbles on. The strike means a very limited number of services will operate on just five Scotrail routes in the Central Belt, with no service on all other routes.

The dispute does not involve Scotrail staff, however it will have a major knock-on effect on the train operator’s ability to provide services, as the RMT action involves Network Rail staff in Scotland.

Many of the Network Rail staff taking part in the industrial action occupy safety-critical roles and, as such, it will not be possible for Scotrail to run the vast majority of services.

Services will only operate on five routes and will cause delays across Lanarkshire.

Customers are being advised to only travel if they really need to and should consider alternative options where possible.

The railway will only be operational between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Network Rail will not be unable to open any other signal boxes to operate passenger services on any other routes on the strike days.

David Simpson, Scotrail service delivery director, said: “it is very unfortunate to see such widespread disruption across the whole of the Great Britain rail network and we know that this will be frustrating for Scotrail customers.

“Customers should expect significant disruption to services this week, including on the days between strike action.”