Bank holiday disruption for train services

RAIL customers in the North East are being advised to avoid travel by train this Bank Holiday weekend ahead of strike action.

There will be major disruption to TransPennine Express (TPE) services today and tomorrow across the North and into Scotland, and customers were being urged to travel either side of the weekend instead. The rail operator will be running only a very small number of services during this time.

Network Rail will also be carrying out major engineering work across the weekend, including on Bank Holiday Monday, which will mean fewer trains and some bus replacements will be in place. Anyone making an essential journey is advised to plan ahead, check timetables carefully and allow extra time as trains will be very busy and changes and cancellations are likely.

On the West Coast Main Line, upgrades between Carlisle and Edinburgh/Glasgow will be taking place between today and Bank Holiday Monday. Work will also take place between Oxenholme and Edinburgh/Glasgow tomorrow and a replacement bus service will be in operation for those making essential journeys.

Kathryn O’Brien, customer experience director for TransPennine Express, said: “With further action by RMT taking place this weekend, we are urging customers once again to avoid travel on our services and travel either side of the weekend instead.

“We are saddened and disappointed that this disruption will mean we are unable to get our customers to where they want to be this Bank Holiday weekend.”

Strikes by RMT are planned to take place on Sundays up to and including 5 June, and on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June.

Further information can be found at tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/ strike