The Rail Delivery Group has issued a reminder that because of industrial action by the RMT union, train services across the rail network will be severely reduced on Saturday, 26 August and Saturday, 2 September.

The strikes will affect services run by 14 train operators, and those services that do run are likely to start later and finish much earlier than normal. Among the RMT union members taking part in the strikes will be station staff, train managers, and catering staff.

Although in some areas only around half of normal train services will run, in other parts of the country there will be fewer or even no services at all. However, across the country, it is expected that over half of the service will be running.

As well as the strike days, evening services on some lines are expected to be affected on the days before each strike, and passengers intending to travel on the days before or after the strikes should check the times of the last trains on the evenings before strike days and the mornings afterwards.

The timetable for the strikes on 26 August is now available on journey planners and on the national rail website, whilst the timetable and journey planners for the strike on 2 September will be updated on Friday, 25 August.

Where possible. train operators will endeavour to maintain some sort of service to keep passengers moving, but as the disruption to services will vary across the country, anyone intending to travel on or around the strike days should plan their journeys beforehand and check before they travel on the National Rail website at www.nationalrail.co.uk/industrialaction or contact their train operator for the latest updates.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “While the industry is working hard to keep as many services running as possible, the strikes called by the RMT leadership are designed to deliberately target passengers who want to enjoy various sporting events, festivals, and the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans, hurting local economies and forcing more cars onto the road.

“This, despite having repeatedly refused its membership a vote on an offer of up to 13% for the lowest paid over two years, which could settle this dispute.

“There will unfortunately be some reduced services on Saturday 26 August and Saturday 2 September. Our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information, and passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled.”