Industrial action by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are due to disrupt services on TransPennine Express (TPE) routes on Sunday, 27th February.

The strike will cause major disruption to TPE customers for the third weekend in a row. An amended timetable will be in operation and there will be a significant reduction in the number of trains running.

TPE is urging customers to consider whether their journey is necessary and to avoid travel if possible.

On Sunday 27th February, a limited service will be in operation on the following routes:

• Manchester Victoria – York via Huddersfield and Leeds
• Hull – Manchester Victoria via Leeds
• York – Scarborough
• Durham – Edinburgh
• Edinburgh – Preston via Carlisle
• Manchester Piccadilly – Sheffield
• Cleethorpes– Doncaster

All services between York, Leeds, and Manchester will terminate/start at Manchester Victoria because of engineering work.

There is likely to be disruption and short-notice changes, so anyone making an essential journey on Sunday should check as near as possible to their departure time via the TPE website at tpexpress.co.uk or by checking National Rail Enquiries.

Trains that do run will be far busier than normal, and customers should allow extra time when travelling. Also, as services will be extremely busy, bikes will not be permitted on board on the strike date.

During the strike, TPE rail tickets will be accepted on services operated by Northern, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, CrossCountry, Lumo, LNER (between York and Edinburgh), ScotRail, Hull Trains, and Transport for Wales. Tickets will also be accepted on First Bus services in West Yorkshire for customers who may need to use a bus service to complete a rail journey.

In Manchester, Metrolink ticket acceptance is in place between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. Some exclusions will apply and full details are available online.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TPE, said: “There will be further disruption to customers’ journeys this Sunday with the RMT due to take strike action for the third Sunday in a row.

“An amended timetable will be in place, but we will only be able to operate a very limited number of trains. We are warning customers to travel only if absolutely necessary and consider changing their plans to travel either side of the strike.

“People making an essential journey should allow extra time and follow the guidance provided.”