Passengers across Leicestershire are being warned to plan ahead and only travel if “absolutely necessary”, following the announcement of more national rail strikes taking place throughout the first nine days of October.
On Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 October, national strike action will result in a severely limited special timetable running between 7:30am and 6:30pm across the East Midlands, and many stations and routes will have no service at all, it has been revealed.
On Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 October, the strike has a knock-on impact which means that the first trains will not begin their journeys until later than usual.
Other strikes taking place next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week will also affect East Midland Railway services to London and the North from Leicester, and CrossCountry services to Birmingham, Stansted Airport.
On Wednesday, October 5 no East Midland Railway services will be running as members of ASLEF take strike action.
“ASLEF represents train drivers and therefore we will not be operating any trains,” said a spokesman for East Midland Railways.
On Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October, people are being advised to only travel if absolutely necessary, as members of the Unite union take strike action, leading to a significantly reduced service on these two days.
All rail passengers travelling between Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 9 are advised to check their trains before setting off for the station.
“I can only apologise for the limited service we’re able to offer passengers as once again we’re impacted by another round of industrial action,” said Gary Walsh, East Midland route director for Network Rail.
“Unfortunately we’re asking passengers to only travel by train if it’s absolutely necessary. Those who do need to travel should plan ahead, check their journey and expect significant disruption.”
For the latest updates, visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/industrial-action
