Train operators have issued warnings to passengers over industrial action taking place this week. It comes as thousands of people will be travelling to Manchester for Take That’s gigs.
The band will be performing at AO Arena on May 7, 10, 11 and 12 after their scheduled shows at the Co-op Live were rearranged following delays to the venue’s opening. But travellers have been told to ‘expect disruption’ this week due to industrial action by the ASLEF Union and they have been urged to check before they travel.
Both Northern and Transpennine Express will not operate services on Thursday May 9 due to strike action. In a statement on its website Northern said there will be no services on that day.
READ MORE: Take That at AO Arena – list of banned items and rules for Manchester shows
Transpennine express said: “On Thursday 9 May, please do not attempt to travel on a TransPennine Express service as we will not be running any services on our routes. “ The strike action is likely to have a knock on effect for the next day, National Rail warned: “Services are also likely to be disrupted and start later on the day immediately following a full strike day. Passengers are warned to expect significant disruption and advised to plan ahead and check before you travel.”
Transpennine Express warned passengers that they could expect “significant disruption” between May 6-11 due to ‘action short of strike’ which will see ASLEF members withdraw from working overtime on these dates. The train operator said: “Although we plan to run our normal timetable (6-8 & 10-11 May), we expect action short of a strike to cause significant disruption to journeys. There will be some alterations to evening services on 8 May and to early morning services on 10 May.”
Northern advises its passengers to check before they travel between May 6-11. It said: “Majority of services will be running as planned on these days, but please check before travelling, as close to the time as possible as short notice cancellations are likely. “
The train operator added that on May 8 it expects train services to be busy “due to strikes elsewhere” and urges passengers to check before they travel and allow extra time for journeys.
Which train operators are going on strike and when?
According to National Rail, the following train operators will strike on the following days:
- Tuesday 7 May – c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (which includes Stansted Express), Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (which includes Island Line) and Thameslink
- Wednesday 8 May – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway
- Thursday 9 May – LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express
