Avanti West Coast has said that no trains on any of its network will be able to run on October 1st and 5th due to national rail strike action.

RMT and TSSA unions are due to strike on the 1st October, with ASLEF union drivers walking out on the 5th.

RMT and TSSA members will then walk out for the second time in a week on Saturday 8th October, when Avanti says it will operate a much-reduced service.

A late start-up of services on Sunday 2nd October and 9th October will mean disruption for passengers.

The operator is advising passengers not to travel on the 1st/5th October and only if absolutely necessary on the 8th October.

Passengers can use tickets on alternative dates or claim a full refund if they choose not to travel.

The strikes are set to impact travel to London by rail for those travelling to the London Marathon as well as Premier League fixtures on both weekends as well as Liverpool‘s Champions League game against Rangers on Tuesday 4th October.

Barry Milsom, Executive Director Operations & Safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “Yet again our customers will bear the brunt of the industrial action and face more days of unnecessary disruption.

“The unions have deliberated targeted weekends where they know our services will be very busy. London Marathon runners, who we know like use the train to get to the capital, will have trained for months, only to have their plans disrupted.

“We need to be all working together for the long-term benefit of our people and customers. So, we ask the unions again to engage in meaningful industry reform talks around modernising working practices and developing a railway fit for the 21st century.

“I would like to reiterate my thanks to our customers for their patience and understanding.”