The Rail Delivery Group has announced that, because of planned strikes by members of ASLEF and the RMT unions, there will be significant disruption to train services throughout the UK except within the Liverpool metropolitan area on Friday, 12th, Saturday, 13th, and Wednesday, 31st May, and Saturday, 3rd June.

As services within the Liverpool metropolitan area are unaffected, Merseyrail will try to make sure people travelling to the Eurovision Song Contest final next Saturday, 13th May, can get there.

As the levels of disruption will vary across the country, passengers should check before they travel, with timetables for next Friday and Saturday already available on the National Rail website, timetables for 31st May expected on Wednesday 24th May, and for 3rd June on Saturday 27th May.

On 13th May and 1st June, and between 15th and 20th May, ASLEF has also imposed an overtime ban that may lead to short-notice cancellations.

Because of the strikes, trains around the strike dates will start later and finish much earlier than usual – typically between 7.30 am and 6.30 pm, and evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike.

Steve Montgomery, chair of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the ASLEF and RMT leadership will not only affect our passengers’ daily commute but will also impact those travelling from outside Liverpool and London to come to Eurovision and the FA Cup final, causing disappointment and frustration for those who have planned to attend.

“It will also further burden our people who have already lost thousands of pounds at a time of financial strain.

“We understand the impact of these strikes on individuals and businesses alike, and we can only apologise for this unnecessary and damaging disruption. While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced train services across the network between Friday 12 May and Saturday 3 June, so our advice is to check before you travel.

“Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.”

Eurovision Song Contest

Merseyrail is not affected by the industrial action and intends to provide a frequent, reliable service throughout the Eurovision Song Contest between 7th and 13th May. After the Grand Final next Saturday, Merseyrail services will run into the early hours, as well also running until after midnight on the night of the Big Eurovision Welcome on 7th May.

Comprehensive travel advice for those visiting Liverpool for Eurovision is available on the Merseyrail website https://www.merseyrail.org

TransPennine Express will operate the following services to Liverpool on Saturday, 13th May:

• from Manchester Piccadilly – at least an hourly service between 7.50 am and 6 pm
• from Huddersfield – an hourly service between 8.15 am and 5.20 pm
• from Preston – five services between 9 am and 5.05 pm
• from Sheffield – four services between 9 am and 4.10 pm

Full details of the TransPennine Express timetable for Saturday 13 May can be found via the company’s website at https://www.tpexpress.co.uk or National Rail Enquiries.

Ticketing and refund information

Customers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets for travel on a strike day can instead use their ticket on an alternative date or be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.