Next week, someone will severely disrupt train services to Manchester Piccadilly and in the North West because of strike action by two rail unions.

On Tuesday, 3rd and Wednesday, 4th, and Friday, 6th and Saturday, 7th January, Manchester Piccadilly will be served by just two trains per hour over reduced operating hours. Trains will start later, with the first trains not running until after 7.30am, and the last long-distance services will depart between 3pm and 5pm.

Manchester Piccadilly station will close completely by 6.30pm, and passengers are advised not to get caught out by the much-earlier closure.

On Thursday, 5th January, train drivers at 15 train companies across the country who are in the ASLEF union will go on strike. There will be no services in and out of Manchester Piccadilly by trains operated by the following companies:

• Avanti West Coast – click here for strike action information;
• Northern – click here for strike action information;
• TransPennine Express–click here for strike action information;
• East Midlands Railway – click here for strike action information;
• CrossCountry – click here for strike action information.

Transport for Wales is not part of the ASLEF dispute, but will only be able to operate a limited service on that day, and is expected to be extremely busy as a result. Further information can be obtained here.

On Sunday, 8th January, there is also likely to be disruption to early morning services as strikers return to work.

Anyone planning on travelling to Manchester or around the North West on strike days is advised to only do so if absolutely necessary and to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Scott Green, Manchester Piccadilly station manager, said “Of course, this is not the start to the year we want for rail passengers who have suffered all Christmas because of unnecessary strike action.

“But with five straight days of strikes, I’d urge passengers to once again only travel if absolutely necessary with very limited trains running over reduced hours next week. Please check National Rail Enquiries and consider travelling on another day – any pre-booked tickets will be valid up to and including January 10.

“We know how frustrating this period will be for passengers, as strike action has such a huge impact on running a decent service. Our station staff will be doing their very best to get people to where they want to go and we’d ask for patience and forbearance as we have seen an alarming rise in verbal abuse directed at staff during these difficult periods.”

Tickets dated for any of the strike days can be used either the day before the date on the ticket or up to and including Tuesday, 10th January.

Passengers with an Advance ticket can obtain a refund free of charge if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled. However, if the Advance ticket is for a train scheduled for a strike day but the train is not cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled, and they prefer not to travel, they should contact their ticket retailer.

Passengers with two Advance tickets forming a return journey with an outbound and a return ticket, and either part of the journey is scheduled for a strike day, may be able to obtain a fee-free refund or change of journey for any unused legs/tickets. In such cases, customers should check with their ticket retailer.