Rail customers urged to plan ahead for major disruption this weekend

Rail customers across the North and into Scotland are being reminded to plan ahead and only travel if absolutely necessary this weekend, with industrial action set to cause major disruption to TransPennine Express (TPE) services.
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The rail operator will only be running a small number of trains for those making essential journeys due to strike action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) today (Saturday, June 25), with industrial action also impacting services on Sunday (June 26).

Anyone heading to a major event this weekend, such as the England v New Zealand test match in Leeds, Müller UK Athletics Championships in Manchester, the Green Day Hella Mega Tour in Huddersfield or Armed Forces Day Weekend events in Scarborough or Cleethorpes, should seek alternative transport.

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Kathryn O’Brien, customer service and operations director for TransPennine Express, said: “Sadly, there will be widespread disruption to our services this weekend and we are reminding customers to only travel if absolutely necessary.

The rail operator will only be running a small number of trains for those making essential journeysThe rail operator will only be running a small number of trains for those making essential journeys
The rail operator will only be running a small number of trains for those making essential journeys

“An amended timetable will be in place on both Saturday and Sunday and anyone making an essential journey should allow plenty of extra time, check their journey before travelling as well as double checking the last service of the day.

People heading to one of the major events taking place across our network this weekend are urged to seek alternative modes of transport.”

Today (Saturday), a limited service will be in place across just four routes (Newcastle – Edinburgh, Sheffield – Cleethorpes, Manchester Airport – Preston and Manchester Piccadilly – York), and the majority of TPE’s managed stations will be closed with no rail or replacement service available.

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Those requiring an essential journey by rail this weekend should check the TPE website for timetable information or visit National Rail Enquiries.

Bikes will not be permitted on TPE services on either Saturday or Sunday and anyone that needs to travel by train is urged to allow extra time and check right before making their trip, as any trains that are operating are likely to be busy.