With members of ASLEF taking strike action this Friday, 1 September, and banning overtime working on Saturday, 2 September, as well as members of the RMT union also striking on Saturday, Avanti West Coast has issued travel advice for customers intending to travel on its services on those days.

Friday, 1 September

• There will be no Avanti West Coast services on any of its routes, and there will be no services by other operators to many destinations on the West Coast Main Line, nor will there be any rail replacement bus services.
• As there will be no Avanti West Coast services on Friday, 1 September, passengers who have already purchased tickets should claim a refund and seek alternative transport, or rearrange their journeys for a different date.

Saturday, 2 September

• Avanti West Coast will operate a much-reduced timetable, which may result in trains being busier than normal.
• The first train of the day will depart from Euston just before 8 am and the last train of the day from Euston will depart soon after 5 pm.
• There will be one train per hour from London Euston to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Preston, and a limited service to Carlisle.
• There will be no Avanti West Coast services to North Wales, Shrewsbury, Chester, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, and Macclesfield and Runcorn stations will be closed completely.
• Customers intending to travel should plan their journey in advance, make a reservation, and check before they travel. They should also find out the time of their last train home.

Customers who hold tickets for 1 September that were purchased before 11 August, or for 2 September that were purchased before 18 August, can claim a full refund free of charge from where they purchased their tickets. Tickets dated 1 or 2 September can also be used on Thursday 31 August or up to and including Tuesday 5 September.

Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 September

During the week of Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 September, Network Rail will be carrying out engineering work in the Northampton area. As a result, Avanti West Coast will operate an amended timetable and there will also be a slight reduction in its services; trains may also be busier.

Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We are sorry our customers will face disruption to their journeys when ASLEF and RMT members go on strike later this week. For many, this is the last weekend of their summer holidays and with no services on 1 September and a significantly reduced timetable on 2 September, it will severely impact their plans.

“The advice to all our customers making journeys on 2 September is to plan ahead, check before you travel and be aware of your last train home. We d like to thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.

“Any customers with tickets for 1 or 2 September can make their journey on alternative days or claim a full refund.”