Avanti West Coast is operating to a much-reduced timetable today, Saturday, 22nd October, because its Train Managers who are members of the RMT union are taking industrial action.

There will be fewer services than normal running, and only running during limited operating hours. One train per hour will operate from London Euston to each Manchester, Glasgow, and Liverpool. Because of planned upgrade work by Network Rail between Rugby and Stafford, services to Liverpool will travel via the West Midlands, stopping at Coventry, Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, and Wolverhampton.

There will be no Avanti West Coast services to North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool, or Edinburgh.

The first train of the day will depart from Euston just before 7.30am and the last train of the day will depart from Euston, around 4.30pm. As there will be fewer services running than normal, trains that run could be busy. Passengers are strongly advised to check before they travel and be aware of their last train home.

Today’s revised timetable for Avanti West Coast services can be found here along with travel advice https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-infarmation/plan-your-journey/strike

The strike was announced on 7th October, and anyone who booked tickets for travel on Avanti West Coast today, 22nd October, before that date can claim a full fee-free refund from their point of purchase. Alternatively, anyone with tickets for travel today can use them anytime between now and 24th October.

Avanti West Coast Train Managers who are members of the RMT union are also due to take strike action on 6 November.

Barry Milsom, Executive Director of Operations and Safety at Avanti West Coast said:

“We’re disappointed by the RMT’s decision to go on strike this Saturday and again on 6 November. Our customers are facing another weekend of disruption and I would like to thank them for their continued patience and understanding.

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