Disruption warning as rail action continues

Scotrail is warning customers to expect significant disruption during this week’s strike action.

The dispute involves Network Rail signallers and maintenance staff in Scotland who are members of the RMT.

They were on strike yesterday and today (Wednesday) and are set to strike again on Friday, January 6, and Saturday, January 7, across the railway network in a pay dispute with the track and infrastructure operator.

Scotrail have pointed out that many of the Network Rail staff who are due to take part in the planned industrial action occupy critical roles and it will therefore not be possible for Scotrail to run the vast majority of services.

On strike days the train operator will run services on 12 routes across the central belt, Fife, and the Borders between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

These include services out of Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk and Glasgow Queen Street to Larbert and Falkirk Grahamston.

Due to the greater reliance on manual signalling outside the Central Belt, Network Rail is unable to facilitate passenger services on any other routes on strike days for safety reasons.

On the non-strike day Thursday, January 5, the same limited timetable will be in operation.

Scotrail service delivery director David Simpson said:“for Scotrail, it’s going to mean that we won’t be able to operate the vast majority of our services between January 3 and 7, which we know will be really frustrating for our customers.

“We’re advising customers to seek alternative means of transport and to only travel if they really need to on the days of strike action. Customers should check their journey in advance to make sure your train is running.”