‘Do not travel’: Train operators in Newcastle urge people not to use services during imminent strike

Train users are being urged not to travel when strikes ravage services next week.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) will leave rail transport in disarray from Tuesday, June 21 to Sunday, June 26 as they demand higher wages.

In the event of railway worker strikes across Network Rail, only 20% of trains will run.

The region's biggest rail operator Northern is pleading that people do not travel at all next week.

Official strike days are on Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25.

However, the knock-on from those days is set to cause havoc with non-striking days next week too.

Northern wrote on Twitter: "RMT union have announced strike action for 21, 23, 25 June.

"If strikes go ahead, we are advising people NOT TO TRAVEL 21-26 June and you should make alternative plans.

"On strike days there will be extremely limited availability of both operational staff including train, station & signalling staff and as such we will not be able to operate services on most routes.

"There will be no replacement services and you should find alternative travel.

"Unfortunately, as we will not be able to position our fleet how we normally would, the significant impact of the strike will also be felt on non-strike days.

"Therefore, we regrettably advise customers NOT TO TRAVEL on any day from Tuesday 21st through to Sunday 26th June."

The striker will affect many other rail operators too.

Those that run in the North East and will be operating limited or no service are Cross Country, LNER and TransPennine Express.

A full breakdown of services and routes affected can be found here.