North East train firm warn of possible major disruption on rail network over Christmas

Northern is advising customers travelling in the North East this festive season to check before times before they travel between now and the first week of January.

Services are expected to be busy over the festive period and may be subject to short-notice cancellations and alterations.

This is due to major engineering work in the area, the impact of COVID and train crew availability.

Northern services will end from 19:00 on Christmas Eve, with no trains running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. There will be no services operating on New Year’s Day in the North East.

The routes affected are:

• Newcastle – Carlisle
• Newcastle – Morpeth/Chathill
• Newcastle – Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough – Whitby
• Bishop Auckland – Saltburn

Services will resume as per the normal timetable on January 2, 2022.

Kerry Peters, regional director at Northern, said: “We advise passengers who plan to travel over the Christmas period to check their journey in advance – with their train operator or via National Rail Enquiries – and allow plenty of time.

“We’re sorry if anyone experiences disruption over the Christmas period.”

The operator is also asking customers to be considerate of others and wear a face covering, unless exempt, on trains and at stations.