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Northern passengers to experience disruption during Saturday strike

Posted on - 3rd April, 2017 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Politics, Preston News, Transport
More than 800 services will run on Saturday - but this is around a third of the normal trains Pic: AeroPixels
More than 800 services will run on Saturday – but this is around a third of the normal trains Pic: AeroPixels

Passengers using Northern train services throughout Saturday (8 April) are being warned to expect widespread disruption.

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Only a third of the usual services are due to run due to industrial action, the second period of disruption in recent weeks.

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The firm has a warning particularly for those heading into Liverpool Lime Street for the Grand National to make alternative arrangements.

Regional director for Northern Paul Barnfield said: “We are doing everything we can to keep customers on the move on Saturday 8 April. Unfortunately planned strike action will severely limit our services, with the majority of the trains that we do run operating between 9am and 5pm.

“On Grand National day Northern usually provides additional train services to help as many people as possible into Liverpool to enjoy their day at Aintree.

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“Wherever possible we have provided extra carriages on the trains we are able to operate, but racegoers need to know Northern’s last train out of Liverpool Lime Street will leave at 6.30pm. To get a Northern train home, visitors will need to leave Aintree well before the last races.”

“All of Northern’s services will be limited and we ask customers to plan their travel carefully.”

Read more: Northern service crashes at Preston Station causing injuries

More than 100 managers and other staff are carrying out conductor duties during the revised timetable.

Why is there a strike?

The RMT Union says its guards and driver members are walking out due to concerns about the future role of guards on Northern services and the safety of passengers.

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RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “The continuing refusal of the company to give a simple, lasting guarantee that protects the safety-critical role of the guard on their trains leaves RMT with no option but to announce this further day of strike action. The date we have announced, the 8th April, gives Arriva Rail North ample time to get round the table with us and negotiate a settlement that puts passenger safety right at its core.

“This dispute, and the industrial action we have announced, were entirely preventable if the company had listened to the unions deep-seated safety concerns, had taken them seriously, stuck to their earlier commitments and had put passenger safety before profit.

“The company’s intransigence has forced our hand and given us to option but to announce this latest phase of industrial action. The disruption to services will be entirely down to Arriva Rail North reneging on their earlier commitments. The union remains available for genuine and meaningful talks and we await a response from the company to that offer.”

Read more: Northern planning to modernise its trains

How can I see if my train is running?

There’s a revised timetable section on the Northern website detailing each service and which ones are running and which are replaced by buses

What do you think about the industrial action? Let us know in the comments below

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